MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
APRIL 22, 2002
1. 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 and John Romano, Assistant to the First Selectman Brandon Robertson and other interested parties.
2. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC AUDIENCE OF APRIL 8, 2002
In response to concerns raised by Ms. Coe during the Public Audience at the April 8, 2002 meeting, First Selectman Vincent suggested that Ms. Coe refer all questions regarding the Board of Education budgets, the High School renovation project and class sizes to Dr. Joseph Townsley; thanked Ensign Bickford for their generous donation and support of the Main Street Partnership; said that questions concerning actions of the Zoning Board of Appeals be addressed to that Board; said that the D'Agata files will be reviewed by the Town Attorney and non- exempt files will be returned to the Town; and that the boiler in Town Hall has been certified by Connecticut Natural Gas.
3. PUBLIC AUDIENCE
Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive, expressed her concerns regarding comments made by Mr. Garrity following the Public Audience at the April 8, 2002 meeting regarding the Kensett painting; the conduct of the Simsbury Police; cancellation of Freedom of Information meeting because First Selectman Vincent was unable to attend; the Minutes of the Planning Commission meeting; increases in dump charges; whether Attorney Lisa Boyle of Cummings & Lockwood will continue to review the Eno Farms housing complex documents; property and casualty insurance; the Board of Finance approvals of the Board of Selectmen and Board of Education budgets.
Richard Martinik, 5 Main Street Extension, made observations regarding the maintenance of Tariffville Park stating that there have been abandoned cars in the park for approximately three years; the leak in the water fountain; and tree pruning.
First Selectman Vincent defended the right of the members of the Board of Selectmen to respond to comments made during public audience and requested that participants in Public Audience exercise civility and respect.
Minutes
Board of Selectmen
April 22, 2002
Page 2
Mr. Romano, as the Liaison to the Planning Commission, questioned the Planning Commission members' judgment in requesting substantive changes to duly recorded meeting minutes, and the practice of commission members voting to approve minutes of meetings which they did not attend.
4. STATE OF THE TOWN
Assistant to the First Selectman Brandon Robertson gave updates on the Town's budgetary process; and highlighted the activities of the Recreation Department, Library, Public Works Department, Engineering Department, and Police Department. Mr. Robertson informed the audience that there will be a Public Safety exercise on June 8, 2002; that nominations are being accepted for the Hometown Hero Award until April 30, 2002; and that there will be two parades on Memorial Day - one in Tariffville and one in Simsbury.
5. PLANNING AND CONSERVATION
Presentation by Farmington River Watershed Association regarding Bio-Diversity Project
Mr. Robert Melvin stated that the Farmington River Watershed Association Bio-Diversity Project is a partnership of seven towns, the Farmington River Watershed Association, the Metropolitan Conservation Alliance and several groups and individuals who promote planning and conservation. The project has adopted a landscape approach to collecting data, educating land use decision makers, providing biological data to stakeholders and decision-makers in the communities and fosters the implementation of land conservation.
Mr. Kevin Case presented a map identifying the habitat resources of large unfragmented parcels of land in Simsbury; said the next stage is actual fieldwork by biologists, an ornithologist and botanist as well as a consultant who will do mapping using aerial photography; and that educational opportunities for the public are being scheduled.
Conservation Officer, Laurie Whitten, said that the Farmington River Watershed Association is scheduled to make a presentation to the land use boards at the regular meeting of the Inland Wetlands Commission on May 21, 2002.
Minutes
Board of Selectmen
April 22, 2002
Page 3
6. FINANCE
a. Review and act on correspondence from Tax Collector regarding Tax Refunds
Mr. Garrity made a motion, seconded by Mr. Mandell and passed unanimously to approve tax refunds in the amount of $788.68 for the period of April 4 through April 17, 2002 per memorandum from the Tax Collector to the Board of Selectmen dated April 17, 2002.
b. Review and act on request for General Fund Budget Transfers
Mr. Mandell made a motion, seconded by Ms. Gilkey and passed unanimously to approve General Fund Budget Transfers in the amount of $206,568.00 as stated in a memorandum from Finance Director Kevin Kane to the Board of Selectmen dated April 15, 2002.
7. PUBLIC WORKS
Review and act on proposed energy efficiency agreement with Connecticut Light and Power
Mr. Garrity made a motion, seconded by Ms. Gilkey and passed unanimously to authorize the First Selectman to enter into an agreement with Connecticut Light and Power for Energy Efficiency Services in connection with the Russell S. Shaw Clubhouse located at 100 Old Farms Road whereby the Town of Simsbury would receive up to $930.72 as stated in a letter from Connecticut Light & Power to Richard Sawitzke dated March 4, 2002.
8. LIAISON REPORTS
Mr. Mandell commented on the progress on the Golf Course Clubhouse and new restaurant facilities and said it was a tremendous addition to the Simsbury Farms complex.
Minutes
Board of Selectmen
April 22, 2002
Page 4
9. CORRESPONDENCE
Review and act on request by the Simsbury Women's Club to use Town Property for the annual Arts and Crafts Festival
Mr. Mandell made a motion, seconded by Ms. Gilkey and passed unanimously to approve the request from the Simsbury Woman's Club to use the parking lot at Iron Horse Boulevard on September 14 and 15, 2002 for the annual Arts and Crafts Festival.
10. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Mandell made a motion, seconded by Mr. Garrity and passed unanimously to approve the minutes of the April 8, 2002 meeting as written.
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. Romano made a motion, seconded by Ms. Gilkey and passed unanimously to adjourn to Executive Session at 8:10 P.M.
The Following members of the Board of Selectmen were present at the Executive Session: Thomas Vincent, First Selectman, Joel Mandell, Deputy First Selectman, William Garrity, Madeleine Gilkey and John Romano. Brandon Robertson, Assistant to the First Selectman, was also present.
Deputy First Selectman Mandell made a motion to adjourn the Executive Session at 8:20 p.m. This motion was seconded by William Garrity and all were in favor.
Deputy First Selectman Mandell read the following resolution:
Be it hereby resolved that the Board of Selectmen authorizes the
First Selectman to execute the “Simsbury-Granby Sewage
Treatment Agreement” which outlines the understandings
of the Towns of Simsbury and Granby with respect
to the proposed improvements to the Wastewater
Treatment Plant Located in Simsbury.
William Garrity made a motion to accept the resolution as presented. Madeleine Gilkey seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Minutes
Board of Selectmen
April 22, 2002
Page 5
Deputy First Selectman Mandell read the following resolution:
Be it hereby resolved that the Board of Selectmen authorizes
the First Selectman to execute the document entitled
“Amendment to Sewage Treatment Agreement” which amends
the original Agreement with Avon dated August 4, 1970.
William Garrity made a motion to accept this resolution as presented. Madeleine Gilkey Seconded the motion. All were in favor.
First Selectman Thomas Vincent made a motion to adjourn the meeting at
8:21 p.m. William Garrity seconded the motion. All were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:21 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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