These minutes are for informational purposes only. For official minutes, please contact the Town Clerk's Office.
MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
FEBRUARY 11, 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 Madeleine Gilkey, William Garrity, Joel Mandell, John Romano and Anita Mielert, Assistant to the First Selectman Brandon Robertson and other interested parties.
II. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Westminster School is hosting a Community Ice Skating Party in honor of their 101st year in Simsbury on Sunday, February 17, 2002 at the Jackson Rink. Reservations can be made by calling 408-5380.
First Selectman Vincent asked that prior to outdoor skating, ice should be checked for thickness and safety.
III. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC AUDIENCE - January 28, 2002
First Selectman Vincent responded to concerns expressed during the Public Audience at the January 28, 2002 meeting stating that the issues surrounding the Eno will are complex and that he would be meeting with counsel in this regard; that revenue from the Farm House Apartments and Town Farm Dairy are accounted for in the Residential Rental Properties Special Revenue Fund and that the revenue is used for property upkeep and capital improvements; that the transfer station is operated by an independent contractor and the town receives no revenue; that the Town Hall has been evaluated by a number of environmental specialists and given a clean bill of health; that the Simsbury Farms Club House will be approximately 5,400 square feet and is on budget; that the Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for February 12th and the
Plan of Development will be addressed.
IV. PUBLIC AUDIENCE
Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive, expressed her concerns regarding tax abatements for businesses; reduction of salaries for town employees; issues between town staff and the Planning Commission; boilers installed without a permit, keeping the town web site up-to-date; environmental problems in the town building; use of town property for personal meetings; the shortfall in the Simsbury Farms budget; increase in rents for affordable housing; Board of Education budget; the need for responsive government and a Town Manager.
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V. PUBLIC HEARING - Inter-local agreement between Simsbury and Avon for reciprocal tax relief for volunteer firefighters
Mr. Romano made a motion, seconded by Ms. Gilkey and passed unanimously to open the Public Hearing.
First Selectman Vincent read the Legal Notice dated February 4, 2002 regarding the proposed agreement, which was published in the Hartford Courant.
Mark McPherson, 40 County Road, member of the Board of Management for the Ambulance Association, spoke in support of the agreement stating that the Association has members from Granby, Bloomfield and West Hartford who donate their services to Simsbury and that the return from services is far greater than the cost of tax abatement.
Ms. Mielert said that initially the agreement began with Avon but if there are other towns interested they should be contacted.
Mr. Romano made a motion, seconded by Ms. Gilkey and passed unanimously to close the public hearing.
VI. FINANCE
a. Review and act on correspondence from Tax Collector regarding tax refunds
Mr. Garrity made a motion, seconded by Mr. Romano and passed unanimously to approve tax refunds in the amount of $27,182.70 for the period covering February 1, 2002 through February 11, 2002.
b. Review and act on correspondence from the Library Director regarding budget transfers
Mr. Mandell made a motion, seconded by Ms. Gilkey and passed unanimously to authorize the transfer of $8,050 from the Library's Operating Budget to the Building Improvement account to implement the next phase of HVAC controls.
c. Review and act on correspondence from Police Chief regarding a request for a supplemental appropriation
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First Selectman Vincent referred the Board Members to correspondence from Police Chief Ingvertsen requesting replacement of body armor in the amount of $20,900 to be funded from reserves, less a federal grant for $10,450.
Ms. Mielert made a motion to approve $10,450 from operating budget transfers. The motion was seconded by Mr. Mandell. First Selectman Vincent said that there could still be a need to use funds in the operating budget before the end of the fiscal year and that is the reason for making the transfer from reserves; and that the replacement of the body armor every five years is required by the union contract.
After discussion, the Board decided to table the item until the next meeting to allow time for further study, and to ask Chief Ingvertsen to attend the meeting.
VII. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Review and possibly approve a resolution regarding the establishment of a tax abatement program
William Voelker, Director of Community Planning and Development, addressed the Board stating that the resolution has been revised to include suggestions made by the Board of Selectman noting the following corrections/changes: Section 2 (third bullet) the words "and equipment" should be deleted; Section 3 (second bullet) the word "fees" was added; Section 5 that Base Abatement for New Construction and Business Retention Incentive have been more clearly defined; and changes to Appendix A.
Mr. Mandell made a motion to approve the Resolution Regarding the Establishment of a Tax Abatement Program with the above-noted corrections/changes. The motion was seconded by Ms. Gilkey.
Mr. Mandell said the program should be viewed not as giving away taxes, but as getting taxes the town would not have received, and that the program is necessary to provide incentives.
Ms. Mielert raised questions regarding the language of the resolution, i.e. identifying targeted businesses, defining "rehabilitation", and "new" and "existing" businesses; the creation of and appointments to the Business Development Committee; and the sale of property prior to the end of the tax abatement period.
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After discussion, it was agreed that the resolution should be passed with the proviso that the appointment of the committee members is in compliance with State Statutes. The motion passed unanimously.
VIII. SOCIAL SERVICES
Authorize First Selectman to sign an agreement with the Greater Hartford Transit District for a Dial-A-Ride Grant for FY 01-02
Ms. Mielert made a motion, seconded by Ms. Gilkey and passed unanimously, to authorize the First Selectman to sign an agreement with the Greater Hartford Transit District for a Dial-A-Ride Grant for FY 01-02.
IX. PLANNING AND CONSERVATION
Adoption of a resolution authorizing the First Selectman to execute an Open Space Agreement with the State of Connecticut for financial assistance for the Wetlands Access Walkway
First Selectman Vincent read the resolution. Mr. Garrity made a motion, seconded by Mr. Mandell and passed unanimously to adopt the resolution authorizing the First Selectman to execute an Open Space Agreement with the State of Connecticut for financial assistance for the Wetlands Access Walkway.
X. PERSONNEL
a. Review and possibly take action regarding the following proposed changes to the Personnel Rules and Regulations:
Leave of Absence - Section 9.40B - Mr. Mandell informed the Board that the Personnel Sub-Committee unanimously approved the revision.
Long Term Disability - Section 9.73 - Mr. Mandell informed the Board the revision addresses non-represented employees, that the total cost is approximately $2,800 and that the Personnel Sub-Committee unanimously approved the revision.
b. Review and possibly take action regarding proposed changes to the following job descriptions:
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Water Pollution Control Facility Plant Mechanic/Equipment Operator
Mr. Mandell informed the Board that the change was that the requirement for Wastewater Operator Certification being within two years.
Senior Planner and Conservation, Inland Wetland and Zoning Compliance Officer
Mr. Mandell informed the Board that the only change to this job description is in grade designation to A5 to reflect union representation.
Mr. Mandell made a motion, seconded by Ms. Mielert and passed unanimously to approve the changes to the Personnel Rules and Regulations Sections 9.40.B Leave of Absence and Section 9.73 Long Term Disability as well as changes to the job descriptions of the Water Pollution Control Facility Plant Mechanic/ Equipment Operator and the Senior Planner and Conservation, Inland Wetland and Zoning Compliance Officer in accordance with his memorandum to the Board of Selectmen dated February 6, 2002.
XI. LIAISON REPORTS
Library - Mr. Mandell informed the Board that last month was Reading Month, a month-long program to encourage children to read; that there was excellent participation in the program; and that the program ended with a puppet show at Eno Hall for participants and their families.
XII. CORRESPONDENCE
Review and act on request by Theatre Guild of Simsbury to serve wine at an upcoming event at Eno Memorial Hall
First Selectman Vincent referred the Board to a letter from the Theatre Guild of Simsbury dated January 29, 2002 requesting permission to serve wine at the "Broadway With a Beat" Cabaret.
Mr. Mandell made a motion, seconded by Ms. Gilkey and passed unanimously to approve the request to serve wine at Theatre Guild's "Broadway With A Beat" Cabaret on Saturday, May 4, 2002.
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XIII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - January 28, 2002
A motion was made by Ms. Mielert and seconded by Mr. Romano to approve the
Minutes of the January 28, 2002 meeting.
Mr. Mandell noted that on Page 3, Paragraph 2, the minutes should read "Board of Selectmen" instead of "Board of Governors."
The motion passed unanimously with the noted correction.
XIV. ADJOURNMENT
On a motion made by Mr. Garrity, seconded by Ms. Gilkey and passed unanimously, the meeting was adjourned at 8:35 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
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