These minutes are for informational purposes only. For official minutes, please contact the Town Clerk's office.
MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
NOVEMBER 14, 2001
I. CALL TO ORDER
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Selectmen for November 14, 2001 was called to order at 7:45 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 and Madeleine Gilkey, Assistant to the First Selectman Brandon Robertson and other interested parties.
II. PUBLIC AUDIENCE
Stephan Barnicle, 91 East Weatogue Street, expressed his appreciation to the Simsbury residents who voted for him in last week's election and thanked the Board of Selectmen for their efforts on behalf of the town and for their leadership.
III. STATE OF THE TOWN
Prior to delivering the State of the Town address, First Selectman Mielert noted the passing of Marion Walker, a long-time town employee, on November 13, 2001 and on behalf of the town, expressed sympathy to Ms. Walker's family.
IV. PLANNING AND CONSERVATION
Design Review Board Chairman, Emil Dahlquist, introduced the members of the Design Review Board present at the meeting, William Gardner, Victoria Rogers, Scott Barnett, Linda Kennedy and Kevin Gray and made a slide presentation of the revised Guidelines for Community Design. Mr. Dahlquist acknowledged the hard work and contributions of the Design Review Board members, the efforts of Senior Planner, Leonard Tolisano in obtaining partial funding for the project in the form of a grant from the Connecticut Historical Commission and the support of the Board of Selectmen for the project. Mr. Dahlquist also thanked the professionals who worked on the project, Ken Mason, Hunter Neal and Dean Johnson, all of whom are Town residents.
First Selectman Mielert expressed appreciation on the part of the Town to the Design Review Board and commented on the document's value to the community.
V. FINANCE
a. Review and act on correspondence from Tax Collector regarding tax refunds.
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A motion was made by Mr. Mandell, seconded by Mr. Vincent and passed unanimously to approve tax refunds in the amount of $3,214.89 for the period covering November 1, 2001 through November 7, 2001.
b. Review and act on correspondence from Public Building Committee regarding appropriation of fees for 30% Design Development Plans for High School Renovation/Addition Project.
Mr. Richard Ostop, Chairman, Public Building Committee requested that the Board approve a request for $450,000 for a 30% Design Development Plan for proposed High School Renovation/Addition project. This would enable the committee to determine an accurate cost of the entire proposed project so that it can be presented to town residents in a May referendum, and if approved, design work on the project would begin by mid-November 2002. Mr. Ostop told the Board that the fees are reimbursable by the State should the project be undertaken.
After discussion, Mr. Mandell made a motion to approve the appropriation of $450,000 for 30% Design Development Plan fees for the High School Renovation/Addition project per the letter from Richard Ostop, Chairman Public Building Committee, dated October 31, 2001 and to have the Board of Finance transfer this money out of reserves. The motion was seconded by Ms.Gilkey and passed unanimously.
c. Review and act on correspondence from Finance Director authorizing the establishment of a Special Revenue Fund entitled "Police Special Duty Fund"
First Selectman Mielert explained that police officers on special duty are paid by the town directly from the police budget and the town then bills the company using the services of the officer for the services provided. When payments for police services are received the funds are applied to the Special Revenue Fund. Because the revenue is not matched to the expenditure, it has the potential of leaving a shortfall in the police budget. The establishment of the "Police Special Duty Fund" would match the expenditures with revenues within the same fund.
A motion was made by Ms.Gilkey to establish a "Police Special Duty Fund" in accordance with the memorandum from Finance Director Kevin Kane dated November 7, 2001. The motion was seconded by Mr. Vincent.
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Mr. Vincent suggested that the fiscal year-end transfer from the Special Duty Fund to the General fund not deplete the Special Duty Fund completely. After discussion the motion passed unanimously.
VI. PUBLIC WORKS
Review and act on Proposed Consent Order from the Department of Environmental Protection regarding the Wolcott Road Landfill and Transfer Station
Town Engineer Richard Sawitzke informed the Board that the purpose of the Consent Order is two-fold: To set the stage to allow the town to relinquish its full municipal solid waste permit which has been used to temporarily operate the transfer station and to apply for an official transfer station permit which provides for recycling and bulky waste transfer.
Ms. Mielert asked the Board for a motion to sign the consent order which would then be countersigned by Arthur Rocque, Commissioner of the DEP.
Mr. Mandell made a motion to authorize the First Selectman to sign the Consent Order as presented by the Department of Environmental Protection concerning the Wolcott Road Landfill and Transfer Station. The motion was seconded by Mr. Vincent and after discussion, passed unanimously.
VII. RECREATION
Review request by Simsbury United Methodist Church to use land owned by the Town for the construction of a meditation labyrinth
Mr. Bruce Hale, Trustee of the Simsbury United Methodist Church, requested that the board consider the church's request to build a non-denominational meditation labyrinth on town-owned land at the end of Helen's Way, off Iron Horse Boulevard. Mr. Hale reviewed the background and purposes of labyrinths, the reasons for selecting the site, a map showing the location recommended by Town Engineer Sawitzke, construction and maintenance of the labyrinth - the mowing would be done by the town which already mows the area, other maintenance, i.e. weeding, would be done by the church, and how the labyrinth would be promoted.
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A motion was made by Mr. Mandell to authorize Simsbury United Methodist Church to build a non-denominational meditation labyrinth on town land at the end of Helen's Way off Iron Horse Boulevard in accordance with a letter from Bruce Hale of the Simsbury United Methodist Church dated October 25, 2001 and the attachments thereto. The motion was seconded by Ms. Gilkey and passed unanimously.
VIII. RESIGNATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
a. Resignation of Jeffrey M. Siegel from Simsbury Farms Complex Committee
On a motion made by Ms. Gilkey, seconded by Mr. Mandell and passed unanimously, the resignation of Jeffrey M. Siegel from the Simsbury Farms Complex Committee was accepted.
b. Resignation of James Byrne from Human Relations Commission
On a motion made by Mr. Mandell, seconded by Ms. Gilkey and passed unanimously, the resignation of James Byrne from the Human Relations Commission was accepted.
c. Resignation of Ronald Eisen from Economic Development Commission and Housing Authority
On a motion made by Mr. Vincent, seconded by Mr. Mandell and passed unanimously, the resignation of Ronald Eisen from the Economic Development Commission and Housing Authority was accepted.
d. Appointment of Sharon Craig to the Economic Development Commission
On a motion made by Mr. Mandell, seconded by Ms. Gilkey and passed unanimously, the appointment of Sharon Craig to the Economic Development Commission was approved.
e. Appointment of John Carroll to Economic Development Commission
On a motion made by Ms. Gilkey, seconded by Mr. Mandell and passed unanimously, the appointment of John Carroll to the Economic Development Commission was approved.
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IX. CORRESPONDENCE
a. Review request by Valley Classic Wheels Car Club to hold an antique and classic car show on Iron Horse Boulevard
Mr. Miller submitted a written proposal from the Valley Classic Wheels Car Club to the Board to hold an Antique and Classic Car show on Iron Horse Boulevard on July 14th with a rain date of July 21st outlining the history of the show, proposed show layout and signage.
A motion was made by Mr. Mandell to authorize the Valley Classic Wheels Car Club to use the Iron Horse Boulevard parking areas to hold an Antique and Classic Car show on July 14th with a rain date of July 21st from 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. The motion was seconded by Ms. Gilkey and passed unanimously.
b. Review and act on Public Gathering Permit Application for Opening Night 2001
A motion was made by Ms. Gilkey, seconded by Mr. Mandell and passed unanimously to approve a Public Gathering Permit Application from the Simsbury Arts Council/Recreation Department for Opening Night 2001 to be held at locations on Hopmeadow Street - Drake Hill to Phelps Lane, on November 24, 2001 from 4:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M.
c. Review and act on request by National Multiple Sclerosis Society to hold MS Walk on April 21, 2002
A motion was made by Mr. Mandell, seconded by Ms. Gilkey and passed unanimously to approve the request of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to hold an MS Walk on April 21, 2002 commencing at Westminster School, and having a rest stop at the Simsbury Public Library.
d. Review request by Hartford Symphony Orchestra to begin table sales for 2002 Talcott Mountain Music Festival
Mr. Mandell made a motion to authorize the following dates be reserved for the Talcott Music Festival at the Iron Horse Boulevard site - June 21, 28, July 5, 12, and 19 and authorize the symphony to take any necessary action to conduct those concerts including the sale of tables. The motion was seconded by Ms. Gilkey.
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Mr. Jepson asked that even though the symphony and the town are working on a long-term arrangement, he would like to have the dates for this year reserved so that they can proceed with sales and marketing activities.
After discussion the motion passed unanimously.
X. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. Approval of minutes from October 22, 2001 meeting
On a motion made by Mr. Mandell, seconded by Ms. Gilkey and passed unanimously, the minutes of the October 22, 2001 meeting were accepted as written.
b. Approval of minutes from October 31, 2001 Executive Session
On a motion made by Mr. Mandell, seconded by Ms. Gilkey and passed unanimously, the minutes of the October 31, 2001 Executive Session were approved as written.
XI. EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion made by Ms. Gilkey, seconded by Mr. Mandell and passed unanimously, the board adjourned to Executive Session at 9:15 P.M. to discuss matters of real estate acquisition and collective bargaining.
Ms. Gilkey made a motion, seconded by Mr. Mandell to reconvene into Regular Session at 10:20 P.M.
The following resolutions were approved during Executive Session:
1. Deputy First Selectman Mandell made a motion, seconded by Ms Gilkey to authorize the First Selectman, Anita Mielert, to sign the resolution required to submit an Open Space Application to the Department of Environmental Protection for funding to purchase a parcel of property currently owned by the Ethel Walker School.
2. Ms. Gilkey made a motion, seconded by Mr. Mandell to approve the Supervisor's Contract as submitted by the First Selectman.
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XII. ADJOURNMENT
A motion to adjourn was made by Deputy First Selectman Mandell at 10:22 P.M. and seconded by Ms. Gilkey.
Respectfully submitted,
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