Simsbury, CT - Board of Selectman Minutes

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.

First Selectman Vincent asked that the following items be added to the agenda:

Presentation by Mr. John Jepson of a gift to the Simsbury Police Department, Volunteer Ambulance Association and the Fire Department.

Mr. Mandell made a motion seconded by Ms. Gilkey and passed unanimously to add the presentation to the agenda.

Requests to add appointments to the Board of Education and Simsbury Housing Authority as agenda items 4c and 4d.

Mr. Romano made a motion, seconded by Mr. Mandell and passed unanimously to add the appointments to the Board of Education and Simsbury Housing Authority to the agenda.

§ RESPONSE TO PUBLIC AUDIENCE

First Selectman Vincent responded to comments made by Ms. Joan Coe at the August 12th meeting stating that in regard to the Cell Tower, the Town Attorney is currently researching the approval process; that the Simsbury Farms Fund has a two month surplus from July and August 2002; that studies of environmental conditions in Town Hall have been conducted; that there are no Federal and State standards for fungus and bacterial spores but that there are generally accepted guidelines and based on these guidelines, there have been no significant findings; that continuing concerns are being addressed by a comprehensive analysis of environmental conditions in the Police Department; and that work is being done to complete tasks recommended by Turner Scientific.

Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive, expressed concerns regarding environmental conditions in Town Hall; alcohol consumption at the golf house and restaurant; conduct of Human Resources Director during union contract meetings; the lack of air conditioning in Highway Department trucks; permits for the Town Hall boiler and generator; the practice of Board and Commission members voting to approve minutes of meetings which they did not attend; illegal dumping; timely posting of meeting minutes on the Town's website; and the sale of the Blazis property. Ms. Coe submitted a copy of an article from the Hartford Advocate regarding toxic mold problems in Town Hall and pictures of illegal dumping, to be attached to the Board of Selectmen meeting minutes.

§ PRESENTATION BY EMIL DAHLQUIST, CHAIRPERSON OF THE DESIGN REVIEW BOARD, REGARDING AWARD FOR DESIGN REVIEW GUIDELINES

Mr. Dahlquist said that through the efforts of Senior Planner Len Tolisano in filing the application, the Guidelines for Community Design has received the 2002 Service Award presented by the Connecticut Chapter of the American Planning Association, a major planning organization in the Country. Mr. Dahlquist presented the award to the Town for display.

Mr. John Jepson, Up the Road, West Simsbury, stated he had attended "A Tribute to Heroes" sponsored by the U.S. Postal Service and that following the program he had the opportunity to meet with the author of Requiem Images of Ground Zero, Gary Suson.

In appreciation for outstanding services by ambulance, fire and police, Mr. Jepson presented an autographed copy of Requiem Images of Ground Zero to representatives of the ambulance, police and fire departments.

1. PLANNING AND CONSERVATION

Presentation by Mr. John Loomis, Chairperson of the Planning Commission, regarding the Plan of Development

William Voelker, Director of Community Planning and Development, said that the Connecticut General Assembly has decided that community legislative bodies take a more active role in the preparation and adoption of a Plan of Development; specifically that the Plan of Development be submitted to the Board of Selectmen

at least 65 days in advance of Planning Commission hearings; that the Board of Selectmen is authorized to conduct public hearings at its discretion; and make recommendations to the Planning Commission.

Mr. Mandell expressed concern over a "duplicity of efforts" as far as public hearings are concerned.

Mr. Voelker responded that the Board is not required to hold public hearings, but should they desire to do so they are authorized by statute.

Mr. Loomis, Chairman of the Planning Commission, introduced members of the Planning Commission Sue Bednarcyk, Ferg Jensen and Ernie Gardow, and went on to say that a letter of invitation had been sent to Simsbury residents along with a Work Schedule in an effort to foster community involvement in the Plan of Conservation and Development; that two or more briefings will be scheduled to keep the Board informed as to progress of the development of the plan and one or more public hearings will also be scheduled; and that throughout the process, input from the Board either individually or collectively is welcome. Mr. Loomis also expressed his appreciation to William Voelker, Len Tolisano and Lois Laczko for their help and guidance to the Planning Commission. Mr. Loomis also informed the Board that on October 2nd at 7:00 P.M. Jim Gibbons from UCONN Extension Services will be giving instruction on the preparation of a Plan of Conservation and Development.

In response to Mr. Garrity's questions, Mr. Loomis said there are significant changes to the 1994 Plan of Development especially in the areas of water and character places. Mr. Gardow added that transportation issues will be on the agenda.

Mr. Mandell expressed his gratitude for the work on the Plan of Conservation and Development both by the Planning Commission and Town Staff; and asked the Planning Commission to consider the possibility of joint hearings along with the Board of Selectmen.

In response to Mr. Romano's question, Mr. Jensen said that the number of televised meetings will depend on availability of SCTV volunteers.

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

Mr. Garrity made a motion, seconded by Ms. Gilkey and passed unanimously to approve tax refunds in the amount of $12,734.42 for the period of September 10 through September 18, 2002 per memorandum from Kathleen Hayes, Tax Collector, dated September 18, 2002.

b. Review and possibly act on recommendation to appoint Public Financial Management, Inc. as Town's Financial Advisor

First Selectman Vincent referred the Board to a memorandum from Finance Director Kevin Kane dated September 20, 2002.

Mr. Kane said that the Finance Committee unanimously approved the recommendation to appoint Public Financial Management, Inc. as the Town's financial advisor.

Mr. Romano made a motion, seconded by Mr. Garrity, to authorize the First Selectman to enter an agreement with Public Financial Management, Inc. for provision of financial services.

In response to Mr. Mandell's questions, Mr. Kane said that all four firms considered were qualified and that Financial Management, Inc. has a proven track record with rating agencies.

After discussion, the motion passed unanimously.

Review and possibly approve a resolution authorizing the First Selectman to file an application and enter into an agreement with the State for financial assistance for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion Project

First Selectman Vincent said that Town Counsel has advised adoption of the resolution to comply with Department of Environmental Protection requirements.

Mr. Mandell read the resolution as follows:

BE IT RESOLVED THAT: Thomas E. Vincent, First Selectman is hereby authorized to execute and file applications, contracts and agreements on behalf of the Town of Simsbury with the Commissioner of Environmental Protection for state grants pursuant to the provisions of Sections 22a-475 thru 483 of the General

Statutes of Connecticut, as amended, and to execute on behalf of the Town of Simsbury all the applications, instruments, contracts and documents and accept payments and do all other things that may be necessary for state grants and loans for the design phase of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion Project.

Ms. Gilkey made a motion, seconded by Mr. Garrity and passed unanimously to approve the resolution authorizing the First Selectman to file an application and enter into an agreement with the State for financial assistance for the Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion project as outlined in a memorandum to the Board of Finance from First Selectman Vincent dated September 17, 2002.

4. RESIGNATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS

a. Resignation of Barton W. Bracken from the Insurance Advisory Committee

Mr. Romano made a motion, seconded by Mr. Garrity and passed unanimously to accept the resignation of Barton W. Bracken from the Insurance Advisory Committee.

b. Resignation of Siegfried Haug from the Farmington Valley Health District

Ms. Gilkey made a motion, seconded by Mr. Mandell and passed unanimously to accept the resignation of Siegfried Haug from the Farmington Valley Health District.

c. Appointment of Mary Donna Lyons to the Board of Education to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Robert Moran

Mr. Garrity made motion, seconded by Mr. Romano and passed unanimously to approve the appointment of Mary Donna Lyons to the Board of Education.

d. Reappointment of Rev. Erik Larsen to the Simsbury Housing Authority

Mr. Mandell made a motion, seconded by Mr. Garrity and passed unanimously to approve the reappointment of Rev. Erik Larsen to the Simsbury Housing Authority.

5. SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS

Personnel Sub-Committee - Mr. Mandell reported that the recommended job description for the Water Pollution Control Authority Process Control Operator was not approved at today's Personnel Sub-Committee pending clarification of qualifications for the position; and that approval of recommended Proposed Salary Ranges and General Wage Increase for non-bargaining employees for FY 2002-2003 was not acted on because Ms. Mielert was absent from the meeting and the sub-committee would like her input prior to making a decision.

Recycling - Mr. Romano reported that the grand opening of the Swap Center at the transfer station will take place on September 30, 2002.

Ms. Gilkey commended the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Department and the Police Department for their efforts on behalf of the September 11 commemoration ceremony.

7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Mandell made a motion, seconded by Mr. Garrity and passed unanimously to approve the minutes of the September 9, 2002 meeting as written.

Mr. Garrity made a motion, seconded by Mr. Mandell and passed unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 P.M.

Respectfully Submitted,

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