TOWN OF SIMSBURY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 26, 2004
CALL TO ORDER
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Selectmen for April 26, 2004 was held in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. Present were First Selectman, Thomas Vincent, Board Members, Madeleine Gilkey, John Romano, William Garrity, and John Hampton. Also present were Brandon Robertson, Assistant to First Selectman, Richard Sawitzke, and other interested parties.
Mr. Vincent called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING
Mr. Vincent opened the Public Hearing, as required by Section 404 of the Town of Simsbury Charter, to receive public comment concerning the proposed revision of Article 6 Entitled “Property Tax Exemption of Qualifying Veterans,” to Chapter 141 of the Code of the Town of Simsbury entitled Taxation.
Mr. Vincent asked if there were any members of the public who wished to be heard on this subject. No one wished to address the issue.
Mr. Garrity made motion, Ms. Gilkey seconded to close the Public Hearing at 7:05 p.m. All were in favor.
Mr. Vincent called the Regular Meeting of the Board of Selectmen to order at 7:05 p.m.
Ms. Gilkey made motion to approve the Proclamation from the Cancer Society on “Relay for Life Day”. Whereas, cancer is a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells which, if not controlled, can result in death; and Whereas, the American Cancer Society is a voluntary community based health organization in state dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem, and Whereas, the Relay for Life is a community affair held throughout the Town of Simsbury which presents an opportunity to dust off our camping gear, slip on our walking shoes and network with business associates, family and friends; Now therefore I, Thomas Vincent, First Selectman of the Town of Simsbury, do hereby proclaim the date of May 14th and 15th as “RELAY FOR LIFE
DAY” throughout the Town of Simsbury, and urge citizens to recognize and participate in the relay event held in this community. Attest: Done at the Executive Office this 26th date of April, 2004, Witness my hand and the great seal of the State of Connecticut, Thomas Vincent, First Selectman. Mr. Garrity seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
APRIL 26, 2004
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PUBLIC AUDIENCE
Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive, said that Mr. Vincent had chosen August 2, 2004 for the convening of the Charter Revision Commission. The Board will choose who will be on this Commission. She feels that the people need to become active in the process. She said the subject of a Town Manager has been in the works for over twenty years. If there isn’t any political will there will be no Town Manager.
Ms. Coe also spoke about the Highway Department purchasing a truck for $85,000, which doesn’t include air conditioning. She feels there should be a change to include air condition.
Ms. Coe said there was a vote during the budget process to bring the Board of Selectmen budget forward with three employees cut from the budget. After the names were circulated, Mr. Vincent told someone else that she was being cut. She feels this is wrong.
Ms. Coe spoke about the Town attorney’s rate.
Ms. Coe spoke about economic development. She said when revenues are reduced the taxpayers pick up the slack. She asked why some resident’s have not been paying taxes.
Ms. Coe also asked if the cost to run the lights at the new track and field. She also asked if anyone got statistics on the injury rate between a grass and simulated field.
FINANCE
Mr. Garrity made motion to approve the tax refunds in the amount of $895.35. Mr. Hampton seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
RESIGNATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
Mr. Romano made motion to approve the resignation of Bradford Mead from the Zoning Board of Appeals. Ms. Gilkey seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
Mr. Garrity made motion to approve the resignation of Stephan Barnicle from the Board of Assessment Appeals and the Historic District Commission. Ms. Gilkey seconded the motion. Mr. Hampton thanked Mr. Barnicle for his many years of service. He will be a loss to the Town and School system. He wished him well. All were in favor of the motion and the motion passed.
Ms. Gilkey made motion to appoint Jack Bannan to the Hometown Hero Selection Committee. Mr. Romano seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
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APRIL 26, 2004
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Mr. Garrity made motion to appoint John Jepson to the Hometown Hero Selection Committee. Ms. Gilkey seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
Ms. Gilkey made motion to appoint Moria Wertheimer to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Mr. Romano seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
ENGINEERING
Mr. Vincent said Richard Sawitzke, Town Engineer/ Director of Capital Projects was here to present information on State Project no. 128-143 on CT Route 10/U.S. 202 at Route 167 and Drake Hill Road. There was a meeting on this project on March 30, 2004 with the Department of Transportation.
Mr. Sawitzke said the Department of Transportation was in the very initial stages of the preliminary design for the intersection improvements for the West Street/ Hopmeadow Street/Drake Hill Road area. This is based on the 1998 corridor study.
Mr. Sawitzke said one of the important things is to realize is that we are in a complex project and fairly tight budget period. The earliest construction for this project would be 2007. Some of the features include increase storage for vehicles, dedicated Town lanes, sidewalks, a mini green, and extending the Farmington Valley Greenway.
Mr. Sawitzke said the D.O.T. is accepting comments through the end of May 2004.
Mr. Sawitzke said he is making a presentation on May 12th at 8 a.m. to the Center Area Group at the Simsbury Volunteer Ambulance facility.
Mr. Romano asked about the turn to park in the Drake Hill Mall lot to Fitzgerald’s. Mr. Sawitzke said they will be moving the turn approximately 100 ft. to the east to make more room. They will have to discuss this with the property owner first.
Mr. Garrity asked about the bike path project. Mr. Sawitzke said he was having a meeting with the D.O.T. tomorrow about the bike path. Hopefully some of that will be done soon as there should be Federal obligation on funds for the path.
Mr. Hampton asked if there would be a public hearing with the D.O.T. on this project. Mr. Sawitzke said maybe at the final design stage after comments.
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APRIL 26, 2004
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Mr. Vincent said there was a presentation concerning request from the Public Building Committee for Fire Code Compliance Study of Eno Memorial Hall. They are requesting an appropriation of $8,500 for the study. Mr. Vincent said funding is available for this project.
Mr. Hampton made motion to direct staff to move forward with an $8,500 appropriation for the purposes of completing a Fire Code Compliance Study of Eno Memorial Hall. Mr. Romano seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Garrity made motion to approve the minutes of April 12, 2004. Ms. Gilkey seconded the motion. Mr. Hampton asked that Ms. Schwartz’s name to corrected to Linda Schwartz under Liaisons Reports. All were in favor with the amendment and the motion passed.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Garrity made motion to adjourn at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Romano seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
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