These minutes are for informational purposes only. For official minutes, please contact the Town Clerk's Office.
MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMAN
SEPTEMBER 24, 2001
I. CALL TO ORDER
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Selectmen for September 24, 2001 was called to order at 7:30 P.M. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. Present were First Selectman Anita Mielert, Deputy First Selectman Joel Mandell, Board Members Thomas Vincent, John Romano, William Garrity and Madeleine Gilkey, Assistant to the First Selectman Brandon Robertson and other interested parties.
Ms. Mielert invited Boy Scouts of America Troop Leader Nicholas Civitillo and Scout Michael Alicona to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Following the Pledge, Ms. Mielert requested a moment of silence. Ms. Mielert then presented Scout Alicona with a pin of the Town Seal in appreciation for his work in displaying the American Flags on Hopmeadow Street.
Ms. Mielert announced that a Public Safety Day is to be held on September 30, 2001 from 10:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. in the Iron Horse Boulevard Parking Lots. In response to a question from Ms. Gilkey regarding the Town's emergency plan, Ms. Mielert stated that the Town has an Emergency Operations Plan that is kept current by the Public Safety Sub-Committee and by the Civil Preparedness Officer, Fire Marshall Kevin Kowalski. She also stated that the Water Company has been working with the FBI to ensure the safety of the Town's water supply.
II. PUBLIC AUDIENCE
Nancy Hendryx, 27 Carver Circle, addressed the board as a representative of the Recycling Committee regarding their proposal to establish a Swap Station at the Landfill where useable furniture, household items, books, etc can be recycled to those in need. She spoke of her time concerns regarding approval of the Swap Station, since the Governor's Horse Guard has donated a trailer to be used for the facility and is waiting to deliver the trailer to the Landfill site. She requested that the Swap Station be added to the meeting agenda. Ms. Mielert responded that she had deferred putting the item on the agenda pending an opinion from the Town Attorney, information from the DEP, the Town's insurance carrier and the Eno Trust. Further discussion was deferred until the item is placed on the agenda for the
next meeting of the Board of Selectmen.
Richard Martinik, 5 Main Street Extension, thanked the Board for the installation of the "No Outlet" sign at the entrance to the Main Street Extension. He expressed his concerns regarding Tarriffville Park stating the gates are not being locked; that there is a retaining wall in need of repair or possible removal; that there is poison ivy in the playground area; that the circle in the turn-around area has not been weeded in many years; that there is no water pressure in the fountain; and that overall, the park is poorly maintained and in need of attention by the town.
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Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive, responded to Ms. Mielert's comment at the September 10th meeting of the Board of Selectmen that Ms. Coe was responsible for $16,000 in legal fees with regard to her Freedom of Information Request of the Police Department's investigation of the Jessica Roos complaint against Bob Young, her skating coach at Simsbury's International Skating Center. She expressed her concerns about the Simsbury Police Department's investigation of the case; whether or not Ms. Mielert was aware of all the circumstances and costs incurred by the investigation; and the billing practices of the town attorney. Ms. Coe also recommended the book, A Matter of Degree, regarding the investigation of the Hartford circus fire.
Ms. Mielert responded to Ms. Coe that as First Selectman, she has never interfered with police investigations, nor would she tell the Police Chief how to enforce the law.
Mary Turner, 11 Barnard Drive, informed the committee that the documentation submitted to the Town Attorney for review regarding the proposed Swap Station at the Landfill was outdated and requested that the revised documentation be submitted for review.
James Gazzola, 9 Briarwood Drive, spoke to the committee regarding the September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States and advised the Board not to be complacent in our preparedness for disaster.
III. FINANCE
Review and act on correspondence from Tax Collector regarding tax refunds (Addendum I)
A motion was made by Mr. Mandell, seconded by Ms. Gilkey and passed unanimously to approve tax refunds in the amount of $4,150.11 for the period covering September 6 through September 20, 2001.
IV. PUBLIC WORKS
Review and discuss recently completed environmental testing (Addendum II) and Action Plan for Indoor Air Quality Improvements (Addendum III)
Michael Wrabel, Director of Public Works, reviewed test results performed on the Town Hall Complex by OSHA, Occupation Risk Control Services and CIRMA (Connecticut Inter-Local Risk Management Agency). All of the findings were within normal limits with relative humidity. While within normal limits, some findings were on the high side but pose no health threats. However, it could be uncomfortable. Since there were complaints from Town employees of congestion and respiratory problems, studies were done relevant to microbial growths by Occupation Risk Control Services that determined areas of concern in the Police Department's space. Corrective action was taken in the form of
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replacement of ceiling and carpeting, moving a wall to allow for opening of a window in the police lieutenant's office, purchase and installation of dehumidifiers and air filters. Subsequent testing by OSHA conducted on June 26 and 27 was also within normal limits. Mr. Wrabel is waiting for results of studies performed by Turner Building Sciences. Mr. Wrabel reviewed the September revision of the Action Plan for indoor air quality improvements that will be reviewed again upon receipt of the Turner Building Sciences study.
Ms. Mielert stated that there are four employees with allergy related complaints; that the Town is working with their respective physicians to determine whether or not their allergies are a result of their work environment; and that the town has made every effort to take appropriate action to correct any possible causal relationship.
The Board expressed its concern for the health, safety and comfort of the Town employees and requested that Mr. Wrabel make the Board of Selectmen aware of any problems or concerns and that they would take the appropriate remedy actions.
V. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Public Safety
Mr. Garrity reported that the committee discussed Mr. Martinik's concerns regarding the Main Street Extension, that the "No Outlet" sign had been installed, and that further study was being done regarding the request for speed bumps for the road.
b. Personnel
Review and act on three job descriptions as recommended by personnel Sub-Committee.
Public Works Mechanic
On a motion made by Mr. Mandell, seconded by Mr. Garrity and passed unanimously the Public Works Mechanic job description was approved.
Library Page Adult Services
On a motion made by Mr. Mandell, seconded by Mr. Vincent and passed unanimously the Library Page Adult Services job description was approved.
WPCF Plant Mechanic/Equipment Operator
On a motion made by Mr. Mandell, seconded by Mr. Garrity and passed unanimously the WPCF Plant Mechanic/Equipment Operator job description was approved.
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Mr. Mandell informed the committee that recommended revisions to the Town of Simsbury Personnel Rules and Regulations will be discussed at a special meeting of the Personnel Subcommittee.
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - September 10, 2001
A motion was made by Mr. Garrity and seconded by Ms. Gilkey to approve the minutes of the September 10, 2001 meeting of the Board of Selectman.
Mr. Mandel requested that there be an addition to the minutes under agenda item XI Liaison Reports, Tourism Committee, stating that it was the consensus of the Board of Selectmen at the September 10, 2001 meeting that they would make the final decision on the naming of the Iron Horse Boulevard complex.
After discussion the minutes were approved unanimously with this addition.
VII. CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC AUDIENCE
Nancy Hendryx, 27 Carver Circle, stated that in her conversations with the DEP that they have no problem with a Swap Station being operated at the landfill pending receipt of all appropriate documentation; that at this point in time there is no application on file from the Town; and she requested that the Swap Station be included as an intended use of the site on the application.
James Gazzola, 9 Briarwood Drive, discussed Mr. Wrabel's report on the Action Plan for Indoor Air Quality Improvements and the need to educate a present town employee(s) in sampling techniques relative to statistical significance so as to be able to represent the town and communicate effectively with agencies or consultants doing environmental studies for the town.
Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive, questioned the use of Scourge on the Iron Horse Boulevard property and whether Scourge was used prior to the symphony events; who sprayed; what areas were sprayed; whether a permit to spray had been obtained; who paid them to spray; and requested full disclosure on the spraying and associated costs.
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VIII. ADJOURNMENT
On a motion made by Mr. Mandell, seconded by Mr. Romano and passed unanimously the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
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Addenda (3)
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