Simsbury, CT - Board of Selectmen Minutes

The meeting was called to order at 7:34 p.m. Present were First Selectman Anita Mielert, Deputy First Selectman, Joel Mandell, William Garrity, John Romano, Thomas Vincent and Madeleine Gilkey. Also present were: William Voelker, Director of Community Planning and Development, Richard Sawitzke, Town Engineer, Joseph Townsley, Superintendent of Schools, and other interested parties.

Ms Mielert noted that Mr. Voelker had a significant professional accomplishment in the last legislative session. She stated that PA 01-67 was passed and signed into law by the Governor. PA 01-67 provides for the mediation of appeals of decisions made by Zoning and Planning Commissions.

Mr. Voelker thanked Ms. Mielert, Ms. Glassman, Mr. Herlihy and Mr. Heagney for their assistance which enabled this law to be passed. He stated that the State will now encourage discussion prior to having land use decisions go to court. Ms. Mielert pointed out that members from all areas of land use are in attendance for this recognition ceremony.

Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive, discussed the air quality issues within Town Hall. She questioned what plan Ms. Mielert has in place to address the problems and the cost to remedy the situation. Ms. Coe questioned why the Police Dispatch area and the BOE area were not tested. She questioned what changes were made to the report in the June 7th revision.

Ms. Coe noted that the rules for becoming a Hometown Hero state that an elected official can not be chosen. She questioned how Pam Katz was named a Hometown Hero when she is an elected member of the Planning Commission.

Ms. Coe stated that golf fees at Simsbury Farms were supposed to offset the overhead costs, yet a negative fund balance is anticipated in the Simsbury Farms Special Revenue Fund. She expressed her feeling that the Special Revenue Fund will never be self-sustaining. Ms. Coe questioned why the Building Code Board of Appeals is addressing the issue of underground tanks in aquifer areas when the decision should reside with the Building Official.

Ms. Coe stated that there are zoning violations throughout town. She presented a picture of a sign located at the Simsbury Deli and questioned whether these violations have been reviewed by staff and what actions are being taken.

Jim Gazzola, 19 Briarwood Drive, expressed concern with land sales and telecommunication towers. He suggested that economic development decisions should consider land contamination. Mr. Gazzola discussed the energy which is distributed from telecommunication towers and noted that no scientific information has been provided with regard to the proposed telecommunication towers. He expressed concern with radiation and its effect on human and animal cells.

Al Kodet, 19 William Farm Drive, questioned why there has been a delay in the completion of the rail trail. He stated that he spoke with the DOT and they stated that they are waiting for a detailed design from Simsbury on the Hazelmeadow portion of the trail. Mr. Kodet stated that the DOT is waiting for the easement deal between the Town and Ensign Bickford to be finalized, and for a consultant to be hired for the bridge design. He expressed concern with the DOT’s estimate of completing the trail in 2004. He stated that the Town needs to bring closure to this issue and he questioned why the DOT is waiting on three issues.

Ms. Mielert explained that five bridges need to be built as part of the overall trail and the DOT is handling them as one unit. She stated that she will renew her efforts with the DOT.

Steve Mitchell, 432 Hopmeadow Street, expressed his disappointment that the rail trail project is not being given a higher priority. He stated that he worked to put the piece together involving Ensign Bickford. He noted that it is unsafe to ride on Hopmeadow Street into the center of town. Mr. Mitchell stated that he would like to see the rail trail completed.

Ms. Mielert stated that the Rt. 185 bridge project will be awarded to a bidder on June 20th and a cantilevered sidewalk is included in the project. She noted that used cellular phones are being collected for use by the elderly to contact 911. Ms. Mielert stated that the Relay for Life will be held June 22 and 23 at Simsbury High School. She stated that street sweeping will be completed by the end of June and she noted the streets scheduled for re-pavement. Ms. Mielert reviewed the summer reading programs at the library.

Ms. Mielert stated that she and Carolyn Keily, Town Clerk, attended the Secretary of State’s Public Servant Awards at which 39 volunteers in Simsbury were recognized for contributing at least 25 years of volunteer service to the Town. She stated that the Town has been authorized to advertise for a consultant for the bike path crossing of Rt. 10 at Bidwell’s. She stated that construction on the new Simsbury Farms golf course clubhouse will begin in September.

Dr. Townsley reviewed Mr. Holden’s June 7th correspondence (Addendum 1). He stated that the scope and cost of the contract needs to be negotiated by the Public Building Committee. Mr. Garrity questioned whether all of the necessary school projects will be addressed within $40 million. Dr. Townsley stated that they are attempting to keep the high school expansion below $40 million in order to address the elementary school needs over time. He noted that it is likely that a total of 12 classrooms will need to be added onto two of the elementary schools.

Mr. Garrity suggested that the Oversight Committee, including representation of the BOS, BOE, BOF and the Public Building Committee, be involved in the process so that there is agreement among the boards before the high school project is brought to the public. Dr. Townsley stated that the architect will present alternatives as suggestions to save money. He stated that these alternatives will be compared to the educational specifications and then will be reviewed by the Public Building Committee with the architect.

Ms. Gilkey questioned to what extent the services of the architect will be amended. Dr. Townsley stated that the original modernization of the high school has been reduced and the contract needs to be modified to reflect that change. He noted that the Public Building Committee needs to provide a figure for the 30% design phase of the project.

Mr. Garrity stated that he wants an agreement on the amount of the expenditure before the architect begins the design. Dr. Townsley stated that the current process is for the Public Building Committee to have the 30% design phase completed first. Mr. Vincent suggested that the second bullet in Mr. Holden’s memo should reflect the exact wording of Mr. Mandell’s motion at the January 8, 2001 BOS meeting.

Mr. Mandell moved that the Board of Selectmen confirms that the Public Building Committee may proceed with negotiations for architectural services for a plan to renovate Simsbury High School in accordance with the spirit and resolution of the Board of Selectmen at their January 8, 2001 meeting, as reflected in the motion on Page 4 of the minutes. The motion was seconded by Mr. Garrity and carried unanimously.

Ms. Mielert noted that the requested transfers are intra-departmental and include shifting line items within the departments’ budgets to cover shortages (Addendum 2).

Mr. Garrity moved to approve the General Fund 2000/2001 budget transfers, per Kevin Kane’s June 6, 2001 memo, in the total amount of $112,674.89. The motion was seconded by Mr. Mandell and carried unanimously.

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 14, 2001, 3:00 PM, continued at 7:00 PM, Eno Memorial Hall Auditorium

Mr. Sawitzke presented a map and discussed the location of the four lots. He stated that in order to provide sanitary sewers to these four lots a construction easement is necessary. He noted that the sanitary sewer construction will also allow for service for some existing lots. Mr. Sawitzke pointed out that if there is a need for construction at Squadron Line School the sewer lines would be available. He explained that the construction easement will provide access during the construction and when the sewers are completed they will be turned over to the Town.

Mr. Garrity moved to grant a Sanitary Sewer Construction Easement through Squadron Line School property to Red Gate Homes, LLC. The motion was seconded by Mr. Vincent.

Mr. Garrity amended his motion to grant a Sanitary Sewer Construction Easement through Squadron Line School property to Red Gate Homes, LLC, and to authorize the First Selectman to sign the agreement. Mr. Vincent amended his second. The vote was unanimous. The motion carried.

Mr. Sawitzke reviewed the map of the property. He noted that a sewer easement exists on the Town’s property, but the developer must be granted permission to construct within the sewer easement.

Mr. Garrity moved to grant a Sanitary Sewer Construction Easement to Stratton Brook, LLC, for storm sewer, sanitary sewer, and water main construction and to authorize the First Selectman to sign the agreement. The motion was seconded by Mr. Mandell and carried unanimously.

Mr. Garrity moved to accept the resignation of Dominique Avery from the Recycling Committee, effective June 6, 2001. The motion was seconded by Mr. Mandell and carried unanimously.

Mr. Romano reported on the Electronic Recycling Day hosted in Simsbury by the Recycling Committee. He stated that there was an incredible turnout and 90% of the electronic equipment was taken by recycling vendors. He noted that mercury thermometers were also traded for digital thermometers.