TOWN OF SIMSBURY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 22, 2004
CALL TO ORDER
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Selectmen for November 22, 2004 was held in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. Present were First Selectmen Thomas Vincent,
Joel Mandell, William Garrity, Madeleine Gilkey, John Romano, and John Hampton. Also present was Brandon Robertson, Director of Administrative Services.
Mr. Vincent asked to add an item to Finance: b) Personal service agreement with the State of Connecticut. Mr. Mandell made motion to add this agenda item. Mr. Garrity seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
RECYCLING COMMITTEE
Mary Turner, Chairman of the Recycling Committee made an annual presentation of recycling awards. Ms. Turner said America Recycle Day is a national, all volunteer, non-profit, 501c3 organization which sponsors an annual campaign with the goal of educating and encouraging Americans to recycle and buy recycled products.
Ms. Turner said the Committee started eight years ago. Since 1997 the Simsbury Recycling Committee has presented an Annual Recycling Award to 22 people and organizations throughout our community who have gone out of their way to recycle products and include recycling into everyday lives.
Ms. Turner said the Recycling Committee is proud to announce this years award to Greta Blanchard who is a fifth grade teacher at Master’s School. Her efforts have brought an innovative recycling program called “Super Saving Swap” to the school. She and the students put together a plan where books, videos, and stuffed toys, no longer in use, were swapped at the school and leftover items were donated to a program in Hartford, which was in dyer need for the children.
Ms. Turner said the Swap Center is now closed for the season. They were opened on April 3rd and closed on October 30th. There was a total of 943 residents who came through the center. There were 376 residents who took at total of 1120 items for continued use. There was a donation of $212.72, which is to be used for the upkeep of the center.
Ms. Turner thanked the Civitan members who helped to volunteer their time to manage the center and made it a success. Also, Gwen Moraski and Nancy Hendricks of the Recycling Committee and Tom Turner who helped clean up the center to end the season.
TOWN OF SIMSBURY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
NOVEMBER 22, 2004
Page 2:
PUBLIC AUDIENCE
Kathy Miller, President of the Friends of the Simsbury Public Library, said they are here because the Library project is now coming up on the 2005-2006 capital budget. She encourages the Board to keep this on the list. The project is overdue as it was started in 1999. They always here that there is not enough money for this project and the Town cannot afford it. Ms. Miller said this is a matter of priority now. Ms. Miller looked at the Town’s annual reports and there have been a lot of projects done before the Library project.
Ms. Miller said a lot of planning has gone in to this project and it is really needed now. She encourages the Board of Selectmen, Library Board, and Board of Finance to come up with a way to make this happen. The Library is a valuable asset to this Town.
Gerry Litner, 5 Simscroft Place, said he is involved with the Friends of the Simsbury Public Library. He appreciates and respects how difficult of a job the Board has on large projects being approved. He is asking the Board to be creative and accept the responsibility for leaving a legacy. There is a fact sheet that will go to every household and attached to the minutes. It’s time to bite the bullet now and get this project done.
Liz Kapel, member of the Board of the Friends of the Simsbury Public Library, said there are needs for this project such as quite work areas, reading and meeting study areas, rooms for computers, etc. This project would provide double the space for the children’s library, it would enlarge the business information center, include an information, technology training center for 20 people, quite study areas, 43 additional seats, 33 additional parking spaces, and room to store and display an additional 50,000 items. The Library is to the maximum now and this project is truly needed. The Library is the cornerstone of the Community.
Jewel , 8 Lane, said she encourages the Board to expand the Library now as it serves a very important part of the community. She wants the project put on the front burner as it is something that is very much needed.
Lenore Davis, former member of the Public Building Committee, said it was projected a long time ago that the Library would have to be expanded. If we don’t’ do it now, it will cost more down the road. She feels the expansion is desperately needed now.
TOWN OF SIMSBURY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
NOVEMBER 22, 2004
Page 3:
FINANCE
Mr. Vincent said pursuant to Chapter 100 of the Town Code of Ordinance entitled Gift Policy, which requires that the Board of Selectmen specifically accepts any gift made to the Town in access $1500, the Board is being asked to approve $303,111.29 which consists of three donations. These funds would be deposited in a special revenues established by the Board of Selectmen and Finance a specific purpose for building and accepting these donations. Ms. Gilkey made motion to accept these donations. Mr. Mandell seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
Ms. Gilkey said she is amazed that this amount of money just comes from three donors. It is this kind of generosity that helps gets projects completed and helps take the burden off of the Board at budget time. She thanked the donors.
Mr. Mandell said they are trying to handle projects with donations and grants and there will be a Town-wide request to help complete this project without tax.
Mr. Vincent said the State of Connecticut Bond Commission approved a grant in the amount of $132,000 for the Town of Simsbury. The purpose of this grant is to benefit SI5 portion of the Farmington Valley Greenway. These funds would be used to install fencing, shrubs, and buffering. Mr. Vincent said he received a draft personal service agreement from the State that needs to be executed before the receipt of funds. Mr. Mandell read the resolution:
“Be it resolved, that Thomas E. Vincent First Selectmen of the Town of Simsbury be and hereby is authorized to execute on behalf of the Town of Simsbury a personal services agreement with the State of Connecticut for financial assistance to the CPAP 2004-70 Farmington Valley Greenway Trail Project. In addition, Thomas E. Vincent is hereby authorized to enter into such agreements, contracts, and execute all documents necessary to said grant with the State of Connecticut. Be it further known, that Thomas E. Vincent was elected First Selectman. His term of office began on December 1, 2003 and will continue until December 5, 2005. As the First Selectman, Thomas E. Vincent serves as a Chief Executive Officer of the Town of Simsbury and is duly authorized to enter into agreements and contracts
on behalf of the Town of Simsbury. “ Therefore, Mr. Mandell moved that this resolution be adopted. Mr. Garrity seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Garrity made motion to approve the use of Town property for the MS walk on May 1, 2005 subject to the acquisition of a public gathering permit. Mr. Romano seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
TOWN OF SIMSBURY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
NOVEMBER 22, 2004
Page 4:
RESIGNATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
Mr. Mandell made motion to accept the resignation of Howard Peach from the Conservation Commission. He thanked him for 24 years of service. Ms. Gilkey seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
Ms. Gilkey made motion to appoint Lewis Arthur Norton to the Board of Ethics. Mr. Hampton seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS
There were no reports at this time.
LIAISON REPORTS
There were no liaison reports at this time.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Romano made motion to approve the minutes of November 8, 2004. Mr. Garrity seconded the motion. Mr. Mandell made a correction on page 5, executive session, it should be John Zieky. All were in favor of the motion with the correction and the motion passed.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Hampton made motion to adjourn into executive session at P.m. Ms. Gilkey seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathi Radocchio
Clerk
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