These minutes are for informational purposes only. For official minutes, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office.
MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMAN
REGULAR MEETING
Wednesday, May 30, 2001
I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. in the main meeting room of the Simsbury Town Office Building. Present were First Selectman Anita Mielert, Deputy First Selectman Joel Mandell, William Garrity, John Ramano, Madeleine Gilkey, and Thomas Vincent. Also present was Jerry Toner, Director of Culture, Parks, and Recreation and other interested parties.
II. Proclamation - Frank Pendergast Day
First Selectman Mielert dedicated the proclamation to Mr. Frank Pendergast and his family. The Pendergasts have been residents of Simsbury since 1965, and Mr. Pendergast was the driving force behind the construction of the original Simsbury Farms ice rink. Frank was one of the founding fathers of Simsbury Youth Hockey, and has dedicated his time to hundreds of young children as a hockey coach. He was recently selected as a charter member of the Simsbury Youth Hockey Hall of Fame. The First Selectman proclaimed that the Simsbury Farms home team bench be adorned with a plaque honoring Frank Pendergast, and that opening day of the Simsbury Youth Hockey Holiday Tournament be proclaimed Frank Pendergast Day.
Mr. Mandell, who worked with Mr. Pendergast, spoke to the dedication. He said that Frank brought out the best in his players, and all the families who knew him and worked with him were touched by him. He recalled the story of the 1984 Simsbury Hockey New England Championship game against Maine in which Simsbury won 4-3. Mr. Mandell’s son scored the winning goal, and Mr. Pendergast had the puck saved and given to Mr. Mandell’s son on a plaque. Few men, said Mr. Mandell, would have thought to do that.
III. Public Audience
Mr. Richard Martenik, 5 Main Street Extension, expressed his concern over the “bureaucratic shuffle” regarding the cleaning of a sidewalk near his home. He said that he made several telephone calls, and while everyone was very nice, nothing got done. Secondly, Mr. Martenik said that removable speed bumps were needed for the road in front of the park by his house. It is a safety hazard especially in the busy summer months.
Ms. Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive, stated that Mr. Fetherston, former Assistant to the First Selectman, was treated poorly by the First Selectman’s office. She said that the developments concerning his departure from the office are evidence that the town of Simsbury needs a professional town manager or in other words, a “CEO of Simsbury”. Ms. Coe stated that she received an anonymous letter informing her that there were students attending Simsbury High School who were not residents of Simsbury. Ms. Coe stated that police and town vehicles are falling into disrepair and are in need of attention. She said she observed disrepair and disgraceful conditions in “park”, siting an old portable toilet and poor drinking fountain maintenance. Finally, Ms. Coe stated
that the town needs to get realistic when it comes to funding for education. She stated that money does not buy good grades. The pictures she submitted as part of the public record are attached to these minutes as Addendum A and B.
Mr. Jim Gazzola, 9 Briarwood Drive, stated that he decided to wait on his remarks concerning Mr. Fetherston, so that he could hear the First Selectman’s side of the story. Mr. Gazzola sounded a warning to those who desire economic development. He stated that economic development can go hand in hand with environmental contamination. Any development should be made while minding the risk of contamination to our town. Mr. Gazzola mentioned the contaminated site for the proposed high school construction, and how the town may not have been as mindful of the area as it should have been.
Seeing no more members of the public seeking audience, the First Selectman closed the public audience portion of the meeting.
Announcement - Deputy First Selectman Mandell - On July 22nd and 23rd, Simsbury Farms Golf Course will be hosting the Public Golf Links Championships. Volunteers are needed for a variety of tasks. To help out, call John Verenga at 658-6246 or call Steve Kuschan at 658-8698.
IV. State of the Town Address
The First Selectman delivered the State of the Town address. The address is included in its entirety as Addendum C to these minutes.
V. Finance
a. Request to authorize intra-departmental transfer in the amount of $47,750 for the purpose of purchasing a 6,000 gallon stainless steel tanker for use by the Water Pollution Control Facility.
Mr. Jim Clifton, Superintendent of the Water Pollution Control Facility, spoke on behalf of the request. He stated that this tanker was a great find, and that the price was substantially lowered by the previous prospective buyers who had forfeited their deposit. The tanker is approximately 20% larger than the current tanker, and no structural integrity issues.
Mr. Mandell motioned to approve the transfer.
Mr. Garrity seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously by a voice vote.
b. Request to authorize issuance of tax refunds as certified by the tax collector.
First Selectman Mielert stated that from now on, these refunds will be considered as standing items.
Mr. Mandell moved to authorize the refunds.
Mr. Ramano seconded the motion.
Motion passed unanimously by a voice vote.
VI. Planning and Conservation
First Selectman Mielert announced that the following meetings will be held:
a. Connecticut Siting Council Public Hearing Reminder - Application by N.E. Site Management for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility & Public Need for the construction maintenance, and operation of a cellular telecommunications facility on Grist Mill Road in the Powder Forest - Thursday June 14th, 2001, 3:00 p.m., continued at 7:00 p.m., Eno Memorial Hall Auditorium.
b. Public Informational Meeting, June 7, 2001, 7 p.m.
VII. Public Safety
a. Request by Bob Branham Foundation to utilize town land on Iron Horse Boulevard for a road race on October 28, 2001.
Mr. Garrity motioned to authorize land use.
Mr. Mandell seconded the motion.
Motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.
b. Request by Simsbury Women’s Club to utilize Town owned land on Iron Horse Boulevard for Annual Arts & Crafts Festival between 3:00 p.m. on September 14, 2001 and September 16, 2001
Mr. Mandell motioned to grant the land use.
Mr. Garrity seconded the motion.
Motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.
VIII. Public Works
a. Set date, hour, and place of Special Town Meeting pursuant to CGSA 13a-49 for purposes of discontinuing an unused portion of a Town Highway (Wolcott Road) - Monday, June 11, 2001 at 7:00PM in the Main Meeting Room of Simsbury Town Offices.
Joel Mandell made the motion to approve date, hour, and place of meeting.
Ms. Gilkey seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously by a voice vote.
IX. Recreation
a. Renegotiations of revenue portions due to fee changes at Simsbury Farms (Required in Section II of the Golf Professional’s Contract)
Mr. Toner stated that his conversation with our current golf pro was very positive, and that they had agreed upon a reduction in the percentage of golf proceeds given to the pro because the town wants more golf revenue.
Mr. Mandell moved to accept the renegotiated amount.
Mr. Garrity seconded the motion.
Motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.
X. Appointments and Resignations
a. Resignation of George Waterhouse from Tourism Committee effective April 19, 2001.
b. Resignation of Vincent Curcuru from the Recycling Committee effective May 15, 2001.
c. Resignation of Nevin Christiansen from the Recycling Committee effective May 21, 2001.
The Board of Selectmen read and recognized these resignations.
The First Selectman announced that the Recycling Committee was in need of volunteers.
XI. Subcommittee Reports
None.
XII. Liason Reports
a. Transportation - T.I.P.
First Selectman Mielert reported that many of the projects planned for the future will begin sooner than expected. She explained that the effect on capital spending still needs to be determined, but will be negligible. See Addendum D, a map of proposed projects.
XIII. Approval of Minutes
a. Regular Meeting of April 23, 2001
Mr. Garrity motioned to approve the minutes.
Mr. Ramano seconded the motion.
Motion passed unanimously by a voice vote.
b. Special Meeting of May 17, 2001
Mr. Garrity motioned to approve the minutes.
Mr. Mandell seconded.
Motion passed 5-0 with Mr. Mandell abstaining.
XIV. Executive Session
Mr. Garrity moved to go to Executive Session.
Ms. Gilkey seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
The Board of Selectmen entered Executive Session at 8:35PM.
No actions were taken.
There was a motion to reconvene into Regular Session by Mr. Mandell.
Ms. Gilkey seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
The Board of Selectmen reconvened at 8:55PM
XV. Adjournment
Mr. Mandell made the motion to adjourn.
Mr. Ramano seconded.
Meeting adjourned at 8:55PM
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