These minutes are for informational purposes only. For official minutes, please contact the Town Clerk's Office.
MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
JANUARY 28, 2002
I. CALL TO ORDER
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order at 7:30 P.M. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. Present were First Selectman Thomas Vincent, Board Members Joel Mandell, Madeleine Gilkey, William Garrity, John Romano and Anita Mielert, Assistant to the First Selectman Brandon Robertson and other interested parties.
II. PUBLIC AUDIENCE
First Selectman Vincent said that he had received an e-mail from Nancy Augustine asking that the Board allow Joan Coe to read a statement on her behalf.
Joan Coe read Ms. Augustine's statement regarding her concerns that the Public Audience during the Board of Selectmen's meeting should be an open dialogue; about the rent increase in the Town Farm apartments; the disposition of revenues from the apartments, Town Farm Dairy and the Transfer Station.
Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive, read a statement expressing her concerns regarding the Public Audience portion of the Board of Selectmen's Meeting; compliance with the ENO Trust; the Simsbury Farms Fund; the Golf Club House addition and associated costs; safety issues at the ice rink; Town Hall environmental problems; the Plan of Development; the increase in the Board of Education budget; and the sale of alcohol at the Septemberfest.
III. CORRESPONDENCE
a. Review and act on correspondence from the Chamber of Commerce requesting permission to use the parking lots along Iron Horse Boulevard for Septemberfest 2002
b. Review and act on correspondence from the Chamber of Commerce requesting permission to serve beer and wine at Septemberfest 2002
Charity Folk, Executive Director of the Simsbury Chamber of Commerce, requested that the Board approve the use of the parking lots along Iron Horse Boulevard for the Septemberfest event to be held September 6,7 & 8, 2002 and the sale of beer and wine at the event. Ms. Folk reviewed a '"Fact Sheet" detailing the event as well as a letter from the Chief of Police Peter Ingvertsen supporting the Chamber's request to serve alcohol.
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In response to Mr. Romano's question, Ms. Folk said they were not planning on the "General Store" tent because of declining participation and because it is no longer cost effective.
Mr. Mandell commented on the request to serve beer and alcohol, stating that there have been no incidents of alcohol abuse and that all servers are well trained in TIPS (Training for Intervention and Procedures by Servers).
Mr. Mandell made a motion, seconded by Ms. Gilkey and passed unanimously to approve the use of the parking lots along Iron Horse Boulevard for Septemberfest 2002.
Mr. Garrity made a motion, seconded by Mr. Mandell and passed unanimously to approve the sale of beer and wine at Septemberfest 2002.
c. Review correspondence from the Chamber of Commerce regarding 2002 Public Service Awards
Chairman Vincent asked that Board Members submit nominations for the awards to the Assistant to the First Selectman Brandon Robertson by February 10, 2002.
IV. FINANCE
a. Review and act on correspondence from Tax Collector regarding tax refunds
Ms. Gilkey made a motion, seconded by Mr. Garrity and passed unanimously to approve tax refunds in the amount of $17,269.97 for the period covering January 21, 2002 through January 31, 2002.
b. Review and act on correspondence from the Town Assessor regarding the appointment of Lesher-Glendinning Municipal Services Inc. to perform the revaluation
c. Discuss and possibly approve an additional appropriation of $123,700 from reserves to fund the revaluation
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David Gardner, Assessor, told the Board that two companies had responded to the request for bids, Cole-Layer-Trumble Co. and Lesher-Glendinning Municipal Services, Inc. and of the two, Lesher-Glendinning has the advantage of a Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal system and that physical review is conducted by only one supervisor allowing for a consistent valuation.
In response to Ms. Mielert's question regarding cost, Mr. Gardner said that the increase in cost was due partly to higher unit cost and other costs, i.e. Public Relations and Court Appeals and even though funds have been appropriated for these costs, the decision to make such expenditures rests with the Board of Selectmen.
In response to Mr. Garrity's question, Mr. Gardner said informal hearings will be held in January 2003 to reduce the base bid price by 5%.
In response to Ms. Mielert's question, Mr. Gardner said that the cost of revaluation without inspections four years from now would be approximately half the cost of revaluations with inspections.
In response to Ms. Gilkey's question, Mr. Gardner said that under the law revaluations are required every four years and inspections every twelve years.
Mr. Garrity made a motion, seconded by Ms. Gilkey to approve the appointment of Lesher-Glendinning Municipal Services Inc. to perform the revaluation. After discussion the motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Mielert reminded the Board that they had not yet approved the refunds on the Grand List for automobiles.
Mr. Garrity made a motion, seconded by Ms. Mielert and passed unanimously to approve refunds in the amount of $2,255.04.
Mr. Romano made a motion, seconded by Mr. Mandell to approve the appropriation of $123,700 from reserves to fund the revaluation.
During discussion, First Selectman Vincent told the Board that the motion was to set the funds aside but that Lesher-Glendinning would only be paid for services provided. Mr. Vincent added to the motion that the amount set aside will include Public Relations - Brochures & Mailings and Court Appeals - Appraisal Cost. After discussion the motion passed unanimously.
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V. ENGINEERING
Review and possibly approve a contract with Fletcher Thompson for 30% design development plans for the High School Renovation/Addition Project (distributed at meeting)
First Selectman Vincent told the Board that the contract calls for approximately $450,000 and that the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance had already approved the $450,000 required for the project.
Richard Sawitzke, Town Engineer, informed the Board that the Public Building Committee has reviewed the scope of services to be provided and that he and the Town Attorney had also reviewed the contents. The contract calls for a 30% Design Development phase that allows for the preparation of plans, including schematics and preliminary designs, and enables putting a firm cost number to the project for referendum.
Ms. Mielert said since the vote will be in May, the plans and estimates will need to be ready considerably earlier.
Ms. Mielert made a motion, seconded by Mr. Garrity and passed unanimously to approve the contract with Fletcher Thompson for 30% design development plans for the High School Renovation/Addition Project.
VI. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
William Voelker, Director of Community Planning & Development referred the Board to the State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development Business Assistance & Incentive Programs provided for their information and review. Mr. Voelker then reviewed the Resolution Regarding the Establishment of a Business Development Incentive Program highlighting the criteria, guidelines and application procedures for tax abatements.
Ms. Mielert said that the terms "tax abatement" and "tax incentive" need to be clearly defined; questioned the use of $100,000 as the amount of investment required and suggested that two thresholds be set, one for rehabilitation and one for new construction; suggested two thresholds for the number of employees required; questioned whether or not the tax benefit needs to be passed on to the lessee; and expressed her concern over adding time to the process.
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Mr. Voelker said that the intention of the provision to provide tax benefits to the lessee was to provide "fuel" directly to the businesses; that the Board of Selectmen will evaluate applications on a case-by-case basis; and it is not an entitlement of tax abatement but an enabler.
In response to Mr. Romano's question, Town Attorney DeCrescenzo said the reason for the resolution as opposed to an ordinance was to make it clear to applicants that the final decision rests solely with the legislative body.
Ms. Mielert felt that incentives could be negotiated with or without the resolution as was the case with the International Skating Rink and that the resolution might only not be necessary but encumber the process.
First Selectman Vincent said he felt the resolution had a good chance of generating interest and would also provide groundwork for negotiations. He asked the Board Members to submit additional comments and suggestions regarding the resolution by the beginning of next week.
VII. LEGISLATIVE
Review, and possibly set a date for public hearing, regarding a proposed interlocal agreement between Simsbury and Avon for reciprocal tax relief for Volunteer Fire Fighters
Ms. Mielert referred the Board to paragraph 5 of the agreement stating it should read as follows: WHEREAS such an interlocal agreement would provide the same benefit to Simsbury residents who volunteer in Avon as afforded to Avon volunteer firefighters who reside in Simsbury.
Ms. Mielert made a motion, seconded by Mr. Romano and passed unanimously to set a public hearing on February 11, 2002 regarding a proposed interlocal agreement between Simsbury and Avon for reciprocal tax relief for Volunteer Fire Fighters.
VIII. RESIGNATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
Resignation of Allan Clark from the Health and Welfare Commission
Mr. Mandell made a motion seconded by Ms. Gilkey and passed unanimously to accept the resignation of Allan Clark from the Health and Welfare Commission.
The Board expressed its appreciation for Mr. Clark's contributions and service.
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IX. SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Public Safety
Mr. Garrity said that at their next meeting they will be doing a tabletop exercise and a full exercise sometime in the spring.
b. Personnel
Mr. Mandell informed the Board that the Personnel Committee will submit changes in the Personnel Rules and Regulations to the Board of Selectmen for their approval at the next meeting.
X. LIAISON REPORTS
a. Recycling Committee
Mr. Romano reported that a trailer to house the transfer station has been donated by the Governor's Horse Guard; that there is wood and metal debris in the trailer which needs to be removed and disposed of; and that steps and a platform, required by law, are needed to access the trailer. The Recycling Committee does not have the funds to move forward with the project and Mr. Romano said if no funding is found the project would have to be put on hold. Mr. Romano asked if the Board would consider looking into ways to fund the project.
b. Planning Commission
Mr. Romano said that the Plan of Development is key to Simsbury going forward and that differences between Town Staff and the Commission need to be resolved.
Ms. Mielert referred the Board to an article in Connecticut Preservation News citing two towns in Connecticut for integrating preservation and conservation planning and that one of the towns was Simsbury. The article went on further to commend Simsbury on its Design Guidelines.
XI. STATE OF THE TOWN
Assistant to the First Selectman Brandon Robertson reported the activities of the Planning Department, Library, Social Services, Public Works and Police Department.
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XII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - January 14, 2002
Mr. Garrity made a motion to approve the Minutes of the January 14, 2002 meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Romano. Mr. Mandell asked that on page 3 under Legislative - Review and act on code of Ethics Implementation Plan, the Minutes be amended to reflect that the Code Of Ethics Implementation Plan was revised as stated in a memorandum to the Board of Selectman from Assistant to the first Selectman Brandon Robertson dated January 8, 2002 and amended by the memorandum from Mr. Mandell dated January 14, 2002. The motion passed unanimously with the noted correction.
XIII. ADJOURNMENT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION
Ms. Gilkey made a motion, seconded by Mr. Garrity and passed unanimously to adjourn to Executive Session at 9:15 P.M. to discuss pending litigation.
All members of the Board of Selectmen were in attendance at the Executive Session. The Town Attorney, Robert DeCrescenzo, was present as well.
William Garrity made a motion to adjourn from Executive Session into Regular Session at 9:38 p.m. This motion was seconded by Joel Mandell and all were in favor. William Garrity made a motion to adjourn at 9:39 p.m. This motion was seconded by Joel Mandell and all were in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
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