Simsbury, CT - Selectmen Minutes

These minutes are for informational purposes only. For official minutes, please contact the Town Clerk's Office.

Board of Selectmen

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were First Selectman Anita Mielert, John Romano, Madeleine Gilkey and Thomas Vincent. Also present were: Paul Fetherston, Assistant to the First Selectman, Rick Bazzano, Data Processing Manager, and other interested parties.

Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive, stated that many of the concerns she discusses during BOS meetings are not responded to completely. She stated that the new high school proposal is fiscally irresponsible and location is flawed. Ms. Coe questioned what the problem is with a high school renovation and why they would increase the amount of parking and decrease the number of athletic fields. She pointed out that spending larger amounts of money doesn’t equate to a better education. She submitted a flyer regarding the BOE (Addendum 1).

Ms. Coe questioned particular expenditures paid by the Town. She questioned why Eno Farms residents are being required to sign certification statements. Ms. Coe questioned the status of discussions with the Attorney General regarding Eno Farms. She questioned the use of property, included in the Eno Trust, which is not being used to aid the poor. Ms. Coe stated her opposition to the sale of alcohol at Septemberfest.

Dave Nagy, 36 Brook Drive, owner of Specialty Saw, expressed his support for the sale of alcohol at Septemberfest. He noted that the sale of alcohol is a vital component of the restaurants who participate in Septemberfest.

Mike Paine, stated that he supports the Chamber of Commerce’s use of Iron Horse Boulevard for Septemberfest and the supervised and managed dispensation of alcohol at this event.

Jim Gazzola, Briarwood Drive, stated that at the November 2nd BOE Informational Meeting, regarding the high school, the First Selectman stated that she was hearing information she had not heard before and she had not received a 6 year capital plan from the BOE. He expressed his concern that the BOE is not sharing information with the other boards. Mr. Gazzola noted that Mr. Hogan stated that the BOE has sent everything the BOS needs to determine their position. He stated that he does not want inter-fighting between boards when they should work together. Mr. Gazzola pointed out that there is no contamination at the existing high school site, but there is contamination at the proposed new high school site.

Ms. Mielert read her responses to Ms. Coe’s questions at the last BOS meeting.

STATE OF THE TOWN - FIRST SELECTMAN

Ms. Mielert presented the plaque acknowledging the Certificate for Achievement in Excellence in Financial Reporting for the Town. She stated that the certificate is a result of the work done by the Finance Director, Kevin Kane.

Ms. Mielert stated that the Turkey Trot collection will be held November 15th. She stated that the Town plans to purchase two farms as part of the open space program and will be sending grant requests to the state. She stated that on November 7th the Town sold one acre and two buildings on Quarry Road for $100,000. Ms. Mielert stated that the Town’s Outreach Program efforts have included visits to four businesses in town.

Ms. Mielert stated that CRCOG and CCM will be discussing upcoming legislation and residents may contact her office with any issues of concern. She reviewed the winter heating assistance program being administered through the Social Services Department. She noted that the Senior Center holiday luncheon will be held on December 6th.

Ms. Mielert reported that Simsbury had 16,204 registered voters for the election and the election results will be posted on the Town’s website. She reviewed the current programs at the library. Ms. Mielert stated that the state DOT will go out to bid for the Rt. 185 bridge project next week and construction will begin in the spring. She noted that all deck work will be done at night. Ms. Mielert stated that Human Resources is testing for Police Department promotions. She stated that there are currently two part-time positions available in the library. Ms. Mielert noted that Opening Night will be held on November 25th.

PRESENTATION OF 2000 RECYCLING AWARDS

Nancy Hendryx, 27 Carver Circle, Chairman of the Recycling Committee, stated that the committee is working on a project which matches schools with products residents don’t need.

Lauren Miller, 239 West Mountain Road, Recycling Committee member, discussed the committee’s program for recycling in the schools.

Mike Paine, Recycling Committee, presented a Recycling Award to Bill Walsh of Town Farm Dairy.

Ms. Hendryx presented a Recycling Award to Rick Caldwell, Director of Riding, at Ethel Walker School.

Laurie Whitten, Recycling Committee, presented a Recycling Award to Theodore Daniels for his community service.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

a. Request by Simsbury Chamber of Commerce to (1) Utilize Town Owned Property on Iron Horse Boulevard on September 7, 8 and 9, 2001; and (2) Sell Beer and Wine During Septemberfest 2001 on September 7-9, 2001

Ms. Mielert noted the information received by the Chamber of Commerce and the letters received by the BOS. She read a letter from Mr. Mandell supporting Septemberfest and the sale of beer and wine and the event.

Mr. Romano moved to approve the request of the Chamber of Commerce to (1) utilize Town owned property on Iron Horse Boulevard on September 7, 8, and 9, 2001; and (2) sell beer and wine during Septemberfest 2001 on September 7-9, 2001. The motion was seconded by Mr. Vincent and carried unanimously.

Wayne Bursey, 24 Ferry Lane, President of the Chamber of Commerce, thanked the BOS and requested that their decision be forwarded to the Zoning Commission.

b. Request by Economic Development Commission to Transfer Funds From Reserves to Account #100-41317-03310 - Consultant Fees

Ms. Mielert noted receipt of Jeff Blumenthal’s email regarding the requested transfer (Addendum 2). She stated that $9,000 was not encumbered by the EDC in error and those funds were returned to Reserves. Ms. Mielert stated that the requested $9,000 would be used for marketing efforts through the end of the fiscal year. She noted that the Outreach Program has been funded through March 31st.

Ms. Gilkey moved to transfer $9,000 from Reserves for the EDC to allow the continuation of the bulk of MBIA/Bartram & Cochran’s marketing efforts through the end of the fiscal year, or June 30, 2001. The motion was seconded by Mr. Romano and carried unanimously.

a. Virtual Town Hall Demonstration

Mr. Bazzano presented a demonstration of the Town’s website. He noted that each department is responsible for their segment of the web page. He pointed out the area in which residents can forward questions to Town staff. Ms. Mielert stated that the cost for this Virtual Town Hall program is several hundred dollars per month and eliminates a lot of manual labor which was done by Town staff. She noted the website as www.townofsimsbury.com

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

a. Resignation of Gerald L. Garlick From Culture, Parks and Recreation Commission Effective October 27, 2000

Mr. Romano moved to accept the resignation of Gerald L. Garlick from the Culture, Parks and Recreation Commission, effective October 27, 2000. The motion was seconded by Mr. Vincent and carried unanimously.

b. Resignation of Nancy Fellinger From Health and Welfare Commission Effective January 1, 2001

Ms. Gilkey moved to accept the resignation of Nancy Fellinger from the Health and Welfare Commission, effective January 1, 2001. The motion was seconded by Mr. Romano and carried unanimously.

SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Public Safety: No report.

b. Finance: No report.

c. Welfare: No report.

d. Personnel: No report.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. October 23, 2000 Regular Meeting

Mr. Romano moved to approve the minutes of the October 23, 2000 Regular Meeting. The motion was seconded by Ms. Gilkey and carried unanimously.

b. November 6, 2000 Special Meeting

Ms. Gilkey moved to approve the minutes of the November 6, 2000 Special Meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Vincent and carried unanimously.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mr. Romano moved to enter Executive Session.

Mr. Romano withdrew his motion

PUBLIC AUDIENCE (continued)

Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive, expressed her disappointment with the approval of serving alcohol at Septemberfest. She noted that the state does not allow alcohol in state parks and she urged the BOS to follow the state’s decision. Ms. Coe noted that Simsbury Farms now accepts mastercard and she questioned the legality of a $15 charge card minimum.

Mr. Romano pointed out that the state has no control at state parks and Septemberfest is observed and controlled by the Police Department, the Chamber of Commerce and the TIPS Program.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mr. Romano moved to enter Executive Session at 8:52 p.m. The motion was seconded by Mr. Vincent and carried unanimously.

Mr. Romano moved to reconvene in Regular Session at 9:05 p.m. The motion was seconded by Mr. Vincent and carried unanimously.

Ms. Mielert moved to waive the reading of the Resolutions, listed below, for the purposes of seeking assistance from the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection for Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant and/ or a Resource Enhancement Grant. The motion was seconded by Mr. Vincent and carried unanimously.

Ms. Mielert moved to adopt the Resolution requesting assistance from the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection for an Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant and/ or a Resource Enhancement Grant for a municipal project known as Development Rights Acquisition of the Christensen property, West Mountain Road. The motion was seconded by Ms. Gilkey and carried unanimously.

Ms. Mielert moved to adopt the Resolution requesting assistance from the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection for an Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant and/ or a Resource Enhancement Grant for a municipal project known as Development Rights Acquisition of the Hall property, Terry's Plain Road. The motion was seconded by Ms. Gilkey and carried unanimously.

Mr. Romano moved to reconvene in Executive Session for the purposes of discussing pending litigation at 9:07 p.m. The motion was seconded by Ms. Gilkey and carried unanimously. The Executive Session included the Board of Selectmen and Assistant to the First Selectman Paul Fetherston.

The Board of Selectmen came out of Executive Session at approximately 9:13 p.m. No further action was taken.

Mr. Romano moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:13 p.m. The motion was seconded by Ms. Mielert and carried unanimously.

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