Simsbury, CT - Board of Selectman Meeting

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, John Romano and Anita Mielert, Assistant to the First Selectman Brandon Robertson, Town Engineer Richard Sawitzke, Director of Public Works Michael Wrabel, Director of Social Services Mickey Lecours-Beck, and other interested parties. Deputy First Selectman Joel Mandell joined the meeting at 8:00 P.M.

Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive, expressed her concerns regarding the lack of responsiveness from the Board of Selectmen to issues brought up during Public Audience, the high water table under the high school and subsequent response from the Building Official; Items 3b and 3c on the meeting agenda - revised job descriptions; environmental problems in Town Hall the Director of Culture Parks & Recreation's failure to meet budget, failure to obtain appropriate permits for Little League building the leasing of Town property for a cellular tower, Item 1b on the meeting agenda - $85,000 for air conditioning Eno Hall, and the need for professional town management.

Richard Martinik, 5 Main Street Extension, said that the abandoned cars have been removed from Tarriffville Park; speed bumps installed; wire coils removed from the corner of Winthrop & Main; that brush on state-owned property on Main Street Extension has not been removed (Mr. Martinik submitted pictures of the area, and of a plaque honoring his work on clean-up and landscaping of the area.

Albert Holmes, 27 Hayes Road, spoke in support of air-conditioning Eno Hall.

Peter Garwood, 51 Stratton Forest Way, asked the Board of Selectman to vote to use the $85,000 in unexpended funds to air condition Eno Hall, stating that the senior population is growing; that one out of six people in Simsbury is over the age of 60; that consideration be given to these statistics in Town planning; and that income from the Eno Trust and the proceeds of the Kensett painting can be used for upkeep and maintenance of the building.

Evelyn Christensen, 53 West Mountain Road, spoke in support of air conditioning Eno Hall saying that additional activities and rental opportunities might result from air conditioning the building.

§ STATE OF THE TOWN

Assistant to the First Selectman Brandon Robertson announced that Family Day sponsored by the Departments of Social Services and Culture Parks and Recreation was a great success with attendance approximately 1000 people; that the Social Services Department has received a $2600 Grant to promote the reduction of the use of tobacco products; that the deadline for the Renters' Rebate is September 16th; that the Police Department along with the Department of Social Services will be sponsoring a Simsbury Police Picnic; that the Engineering Department is overseeing the completion of the Clubhouse at Simsbury Farms, that the design process is underway for the High School renovation, that the Lionel sewer project has been completed, that progress is being made on the Greenway; and that the Police Department is preparing for the Simsbury Police Explorer Program.

a. Review and act on correspondence from Tax Collector regarding tax refunds

Ms. Gilkey made a motion, seconded by Ms. Romano and passed unanimously to approve tax refunds in the amount of $7,152.15 for the period August 1, 2002 through August 7, 2002 per memorandum from Kathleen Hayes, Tax Collector dated August 7, 2002.

b. Review and possibly act on request for General Fund FY01-02 Budget Transfer in the amount of $85,000 for Air Conditioning at Eno Memorial Hall.

First Selectman Vincent said that the $85,000 would not cover the entire cost of air conditioning the building, but would contribute significantly to the project, and referred the Board to the memorandum from Finance Director Kevin Kane stating that if the funds are not transferred they will be returned to the General Fund.

Ms. Lecours-Beck informed the Board that there is a significant decline in senior use of the building during summer months; that additional programs such as exercise, aerobics, line dancing, concerts, etc. could be held during summer months if the building was air conditioned; and that since there is no air

conditioning, the building is not rented during summer months for recitals, public meetings, seminars, etc. resulting in a loss of approximately $1500 to $3000 per year.

In response to Mr. Romano's question, Ms. Lecours-Beck said that the drop off in other groups using Eno during the summer months is also significant.

Mr. Wrabel said that they are in the process of obtaining estimates for the air conditioning project and that he expects the project to be in the range of $130,000 to $150,000; that in recent years the boilers have been replaced, flat roofs replaced, gutters replaced, trim painted, drapes replaced, etc.

In response to Mr. Garrity's question, Mr. Wrabel said that the additional funds could come from the Eno Fund, operational budgets or Capital & Non-Recurring.

Mr. Romano made a motion, seconded by Mr. Mandell to approve a General Fund FY 01-02 budget transfer in the amount of $85,000 for Air Conditioning at Eno Memorial Hall.

Ms. Mielert said that she understands the need for air conditioning Eno Hall but surplus funds should be returned to the General Fund to increase the fund to a level to receive a favorable bond rating; that the air conditioning project could be included in budget deliberations; and said consideration must be given to selecting the appropriate air conditioning system.

Mr. Romano said that if the air conditioning project is not approved it may be delayed indefinitely and that he is confident that Mr. Wrabel will be able to select an appropriate system for the building.

Mr. Mandell said that he is relying on staff to select the appropriate air conditioning system and that the surplus should be used for the air conditioning project.

Mr. Garrity said it is a project that needs to be done, but is not in agreement with the process; that it was not discussed during budget deliberations; that it should be considered for next year's budget; that the surplus should be returned to reserves.

Ms. Gilkey spoke in support of the project stating that this is the right time to consider air conditioning Eno Hall and that if left until budget deliberations, it may not be funded.

First Selectman Vincent spoke in support of the project, stating that there is an additional $54,000 from monies approved for work on Eno Hall, and with the $85,000 budget transfer would cover the cost of the project.

First Selectman Vincent, Mr. Romano, Mr. Mandell and Ms. Gilkey voted to approve the motion, Ms. Mielert and Mr. Garrity voted against the motion. The motion passed on a four to two vote.

a. Review request to increase fees at Bulky Waste Transfer Facility

First Selectman Vincent said that fees have not been raised since May 1, 2001 and if approved the new fees would take effect September 1, 2002.

Mr. Mandell made a motion to approve the proposed fee increases at Bulky Waste Transfer Facility pursuant to a memorandum to First Selectman Thomas Vincent from the Assistant to the First Selectman Brandon Robertson dated August 7, 2002. Ms. Gilkey seconded the motion.

Mr. Romano asked where the metals and recyclables are sent and who receives the benefits from these items. Mr. Wrabel said that the curbside pickups are brought to the transfer station and that the metal goes to Springfield. Mr. Romano asked for clarification of the per ton increases being charges to Paine's Inc.

After discussion, Mr. Romano made a motion, seconded by Ms. Gilkey and passed unanimously to table the motion until Mr. Paine of Paine's Inc. could provide information and clarification of fee increases.

b. Review request to declare computer equipment surplus.

Mr. Mandell made a motion to declare computer equipment surplus and read the recommended staff resolution as follows: Be it hereby resolved that the Board of Selectmen finds that the attached inventory of computer equipment no value to the Town of Simsbury and is hereby declared scrap. Furthermore, having declared this equipment to be scrap and of no value to the Town, the Board of Selectmen authorized the First Selectman to advertise the availability of this equipment in a newspaper having local circulation and to accept the highest bid for the equipment. Mr. Garrity seconded the resolution and it was unanimously passed.

3. PERSONNEL/LABOR RELATIONS

First Selectman Vincent said that the new job description for the Starter at Simsbury Farms Golf Course and the revised job descriptions for the Administrative Secretary II and the Human Services Aide have been approved by the Personnel Sub-Committee.

a. Review and act on job description for Starter at the Simsbury Farms Golf Course

Mr. Mandell made a motion that the new job description for the Starter at the Simsbury Farms Golf Course be adopted per the recommendation from the Personnel Sub-Committee. The motion was seconded by Ms. Gilkey and passed unanimously.

b. Review and act on revised job description for Administrative Secretary II for the Police Department

Mr. Mandel made a motion that the revised job description for the Administrative Secretary II for the Police Department be adopted per the recommendation from the Personnel Sub-Committee. The motion was seconded by Mr. Garrity and passed unanimously.

c. Review and act on revised job description for Human Services Aide in the Social Services Department

Mr. Mandel made a motion that the revised job description for the Human Services Aide in the Social Services Department be adopted per the recommendation from the Personnel Sub-Committee. The motion was seconded by Mr. Garrity and passed unanimously.

4. RESIGNATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS

a. Resignation of Julie P. Williams from the Aging and Disability Commission

Mr. Romano made a motion to accept the resignation of Julie P. Williams from the Aging and Disability Commission, with regret and acknowledgement of her many contributions. The motion was seconded by Ms. Gilkey and passed unanimously.

b. Resignation of Robert Moran from the Board of Education

Mr. Mandell made a motion to accept the resignation of Robert Moran from the Board of Education and acknowledged Mr. Moran's many years of service and his contributions. The motion was seconded by Ms. Gilkey and passed unanimously.

5. SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mr. Mandell said that a special meeting was held in July to discuss two grievances.

7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Garrity made a motion, seconded by Mr. Mandell and passed unanimously to approve the minutes of the July 22, 2002 meeting as written.

Mr. Garrity made a motion, seconded by Mr. Mandell and passed unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

____________________________________________