These minutes are for informational purposes only. For official minutes, please contact the Town Clerk's Office.
MEETING MINUTES
Board of Selectmen
July 9, 2001
I. CALL TO ORDER
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Selectmen for July 9, 2001 was called to order at 7:30 PM in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. Present were Anita L. Mielert, First Selectman, Joel Mandell, Deputy First Selectman, Thomas Vincent, William Garrity, Madeline Gilkey, John Romano, Richard Sawitzke, Town Engineer, members of the Ethics Committee, and other interested parties.
II. STATE OF THE TOWN
The First Selectman delivered the State of the Town address. The complete text of which is attached to these minutes.
III. PUBLIC AUDIENCE
Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive, stated that there is poor air quality in the police station. It is so bad that one of the secretaries is unable to work for more than a few minutes without suffering terrible allergies. She stated that 16 employees do not feel well or have complained. Ms. Coe questioned whether or not the Town Hall has boiler code issues and ventilation code issues. She stated that the Bureau of Boilers does not know about the town’s boiler. She stated that the First Selectman is putting people at risk, and the rest of the board shows no concern. Ms. Coe then responded to Attorney Moran’s statements about her. She said that Attorney Moran must accept the awesome responsibility of an elected official and tolerate her criticisms of him. She stated she is
tired of his “holier than thou” attitude. She then asked that Attorney Moran immediately resign from his position on the Board of Education.
Jim Gazzola, 9 Briarwood Drive, asked if a spray was used for mosquitoes on the new Ironhorse Fields, and if so, shat kind of spray was used.
At the conclusion of Public Audience, Mr. Vincent moved to add item (a.) to the agenda under Recreation that would give consideration to Little League Field construction. Ms. Gilkey seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
IV. LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES
a. Discussion of proposed ordinance prohibiting vending machine sales of cigarettes in Simsbury.
Mr. Romano stated that while for some people it may be inconvenient, this ordinance is about protecting our children.
Mr. Garrity stated that this type of ordinance could even be made stronger, even banning smoking in public establishments all together.
It was the consensus of the board that the Town Attorney begin to draw up an ordinance banning the sale of cigarettes in vending machines in Simsbury, so that it could be discussed and adopted.
b. Discussion of Ethics Ordinance
Mr. Mandell thanked the Ethics Committee for the summary of the ordinance, and for all their hard work in preparing the changes. He stated that he felt ready to vote on this tonight.
Ms. Mielert stated she had two concerns with the proposed ordinance changes. First, she was concerned that section 13-12a, which would monitor the filing requirement, would be very hard to keep up with given the town’s 100+ officials.
Mr. Knierim spoke for the Ethics Committee stating that they were open for suggestions, and that in this particular case the goal was to keep up with people because things change very quickly.
Ms. Mielert stated that her second concern was over the definition of “Beneficial Interest”, which was a new concept added to the Code of Ethics that would work along side “Monetary Interest”.
Mr. Knierim stated that it is the opinion of the Ethics Committee that it is important to identify Ethics violations that do not necessarily involve the exchange of money. For instance, using one’s influence as a member of the Board of Education to get a child onto a sports team. That scenario would constitute “beneficial interest”.
Ms. Mielert asked how many ethics cases the committee gets in a year.
Mr. Knierim stated that it varies but usually no more than one or two.
Ms. Gilkey stated that the concept of beneficial interest is well founded and congratulated the committee on all its hard work.
Ms. Mielert stated that the Board of Selectman would continue review of the ordinance and get back to the Ethics Committee shortly.
V. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
VI. FINANCE
a. Budget Transfers and Appropriation
Mr. Mandell moved to approve the General Fund transfers totaling $169,177.00.
Mr. Garrity seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Mandell moved to approve the Dog Fund transfer totaling $705.00 and the Simsbury Farms Fund transfer totaling $8, 942.00.
Mr. Romano seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Garrity motioned to approve an appropriation in the amount of $200,000.00 for Revaluation pursuant to Section 908 ( c ) of the Charter.
Ms. Gilkey seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
b. Request by Paul Henault that the Board of Selectman choose representatives to meet with members of the Board of Finance and the Board of Education to discuss the long-range capital needs of the town and identify a potential firm to assist with capital planning.
Ms. Mielert and Mr. Mandell volunteered to represent the board at these informal discussion sessions. The Board was amenable.
VII. PLANNING AND CONSERVATION
VIII. PUBLIC SAFETY
IX. PUBLIC WORKS
a. Approval of the first supplemental agreement of Project No. 128-128 of the Farmington Valley Greenway and authorization of the First Selectman to sign the agreement.
Mr. Sawitzke made a brief presentation to the board concerning the design schedule of the project.
Mr. Romano asked if the fees were for all designs, and what the estimated cost of all the designing would be.
Mr. Sawitzke replied that they were for all designs, and that the total expected design costs would be between five and six thousand dollars.
Mr. Garrity motioned to resolve that Anita L. Mielert, First Selectman, be, and is hereby authorized to sign the agreement entitled: “First Supplemental Agreement to the Original Dated August 24, 1994 Between the State of Connecticut and the Town of Simsbury for the Development of Contract Plans, Specifications and Estimates for the Construction of a Bicycle/Pedestrian Facility utilizing Federal Funds under the Surface Transportation Program.”
Mr. Mandell seconded the motion.
Motion passed unanimously.
b. Acceptance of State Commitment to fund Firetown Road Bridge over Bissel Brook, Bridge No. 04549
Mr. Garrity motioned to accept the state commitment and authorize Anita L. Mielert to sign the related documents.
Mr. Mandell seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
X. RECREATION
a. Application for referral pursuant to 8-24 CGS by the Simsbury Little League proposed Field 6 construction.
Mr. Vincent stated that all the board needed to do was to refer this to the proper commission and send it on its way.
Ms. Mielert stated that this was far too last minute. She stated that she was not ready to vote on it because it was presented to her only five minutes before the meeting.
Mr. Mandell stated that the board did not need to judge the complete merits of the application, but instead could let land use commissions decide on that.
Ms. Mielert protested the way the application was being handled.
Mr. Garrity made a motion to refer the application pursuant to 8-24 CGS.
Mr. Vincent seconded.
Ms. Gilkey seconded.
Motion passed 5-0 with Ms. Mielert abstaining.
XI. SOCIAL SERVICES
XII. APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
a. Resignation of Kim L. Latz from the Economic Development Commission.
Mr. Garrity made the motion to accept Ms. Latz’s resignation.
Mr. Mandell seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
b. Resignation of John J. O’Neil Jr. from his position as co-trustee of the Town of Simsbury.
Mr. Garrity made the motion to accept Mr. O’Neil’s resignation.
Mr. Romano seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
c. Appointment of Victoria Rogers to the position of Alternate on the Design Review Board.
Mr. Mandell motioned to approve the appointment.
Ms. Gilkey seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
XIII. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Welfare Subcommittee
Ms. Mielert stated that there will soon be advertisements for affordable housing opportunities in town.
XIV. LIASON REPORTS
None.
XV. CORRESPONDENCE
None.
XVI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. Approval of June 25, 2001 minutes.
Mr. Romano stated that his name was spelled incorrectly and asked that the minutes be changed to fix that.
Mr. Mandell made the motion to approve minutes as corrected.
Ms. Gilkey seconded.
Motion passed 5-0 with Mr. Romano abstaining.
XVII. EXECUTIVE SESSION
None.
XVIII. ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Mandell made the motion to adjourn.
Ms. Gilkey seconded.
Motion passed unanimously. Meeting stood adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
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