TOWN OF SIMSBURY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
JANUARY 8, 2007
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. Present were: First Selectman Thomas Vincent; Board members Moira Wertheimer, John Hampton, John Romano, and Joel Mandell. Others in attendance included Richard Sawitzke, Brandon Robertson, and other interested parties.
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Vincent called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PUBLIC AUDIENCE
Diane Nash, 5 Merrywood, said it was two months ago that the referendum was approved by the voters for the Ethel Walker School proposal. She again thanked Mr. Vincent and the Board for wanting to structure the purchase of the property to have a minimum impact on the citizens of Simsbury. She also thanked the State Representatives and Linda Schofield who are still trying to raise money for the project.
Ms. Nash invited everyone to the Tower Ridge Country Club on January 20th for a private funding project dinner for the Ethel Walker School Project. The tickets are $50 each for cocktails, dinner and a live auction. This is sponsored by Aquarion Water Co. And Sky Investment Group, LLC. There is more information on the “Keep the Woods” website.
John Lucker, 88 Blue Ridge Drive, gave the Board a letter on his desire to streamline Town government, ensure more open government, and provide our elected Boards and Commissions with an easier way to conduct business (attached).
Mr. Romano said he receives most of his e-mails at work and would like to recommend that Rick Bazzano look at Mr. Lucker’s suggestions further.
Mr. Vincent noted that there were some power outages today. They should hopefully all be restored by 8 p.m.
Mr. Mandell said he walked the rails-to-trails from Mitchell’s commuter lot to the center of Town and back and he was very pleased with the progress. He said all staff has done a great job on this project.
FINANCE
a) Tax Refunds
Mr. Mandell made motion to approve tax refunds totaling $11,260.67 for the period of December 7, 2006 - January 3, 2007. Mr. Romano seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
b) Fiddler’s Green Application
Mr. Sawitzke presented an infrastructure program application to the Board for Fiddler’s Green. He said the eligible value totals $75,423.26 after reviewing all approvals.
Mr. Mandell made motion to approve the expenditure of $75,423.26 to the applicant, Mr. Bruce Kaplan at Fiddler’s Green, LLC for infrastructure improvements according to the application dated August 28, 2006. Ms. Wertheimer seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
PLANNING AND LAND USE
Mr. Vincent said the Board received a letter from Mr. Robertson about the 31 Main Street, Tariffville designation. The Planning Commission an Culture, Parks and Recreation Commission have found that the designation is in accordance with the appropriate sections of the Town Plan of Conservation and Development.
The are no physical changes to the site plan at this time. However, when physical changes are requested, a site plan approval will be required.
Ms. Wertheimer made motion to take action to designate the property at 31 Main Street, Tariffville as a Village Green with the understanding that the property be administered as a park. Mr. Hampton seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
SOCIAL SERVICES
Mr. Vincent said Garrity Asphalt Reclaiming would like to donate $2,500 to assist needy Simsbury residents with their heating bills this winter through our Keep Simsbury Warm Program. Mr. Vincent would like to personally thank Bill Garrity for this very kind and generous donation.
Mr. Mandell made motion to accept the donation of $2,500 from Garrity Asphalt Reclaiming for the Keep Simsbury Warn Program. Mr. Romano seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
PERSONNEL
Mr. Mandell said the Committee met tonight and unanimously approved a new job description for Clerk T-4 for the Water Pollution Control Facility. This position becomes available due to the retirement of a long-time employee. Mr. Mandell said they will discuss this description with the Union, but the position needs to be filled now.
Mr. Mandell made motion to adopt the job description entitled Clerk- Water Pollution Control - Grade T-4 as presented. Ms. Wertheimer seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
MISCELLANEOUS
a) Revised meeting calendar
Mr. Hampton made motion to approve the change in the meeting calendar for the Board of Selectmen from November 12, 2007 to November 14, 2007 due to a holiday. Mr. Romano seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
b) “Wear Red for Women” Day
Mr. Mandell read the following proclamation:
“WHEREAS, diseases of the heart are the nation’s leading cause of death and stroke is the third leading cause of death;
WHEREAS, more than 6,000 women in Connecticut die of cardiovascular disease each year, and
WHEREAS, cardiovascular diseases(CVD) are the leading cause of death among women, and,
WHEREAS, cardiovascular disease and stroke kill more than 480,000 women in the U.S. every year; more than the next 5 causes of death combined, including all cancers, and;
WHEREAS, of every 5 people who die from stroke, about 2 are men and 3 are women, and
WHEREAS, one in 2.6 deaths in women are from cardiovascular disease (CVD); and
WHEREAS, about 46,000 more women than men have a stroke each year, and
WHEREAS, the American Heart Association is continuing their GO RED FOR WOMEN movement to encourage women to pay attention to their hearts and help them live longer, stronger lives by reducing their risk for cardiovascular disease.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Thomas E. Vincent, First Selectman of the Town of Simsbury, in recognition of the importance of the ongoing flight against heart disease and stroke, do hereby proclaim February 2, 2007, to be “WEAR RED DAY FOR WOMEN” in Simsbury and urge all citizens to wear red in recognition of family, friends, and neighbors who have suffered from heart disease, and as a show of support to fight it. By increasing awareness of the risk factors for this devastating disease and taking actions to reduce them, we can save thousands of lives each year.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the Town of Simsbury, CT, this 8th day of January 2007. Signed, Thomas E. Vincent, 2007.
Mr. Mandell moved to adopt the above as a proclamation. Mr. Hampton seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
c) SCTV Request
Mr. Hampton made motion to approve the use of Town property along with alcoholic beverages for the SCTV volunteer potluck dinner on Tuesday, February 6, 2007 at the Eno Memorial Hall Youth Room. Mr. Mandell seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
RESIGNATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
a) Inland/Wetlands Conservation Commission
Mr. Mandell made motion to accept the resignation of Chris Ursini from the Inland/Wetlands Conservation Commission. Ms. Wertheimer seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
b) Housing Authority
Mr. Mandell made motion to accept the resignation of Rev. Erick Larsen from the Housing Authority. Ms. Wertheimer seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
LIAISON REPORTS
There are no reports at this time.
SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS
Mr. Hampton said there will be a Public Safety meeting on January 18th at 7 am in the Main Meeting Room.
Mr. Romano said the Welfare Sub-Committee met in November and again in December about the Town Farm Dairy workers. They will be meeting again the end of this month to hopefully finalize this project.
Mr. Vincent said the Finance Sub-Committee will be calling on dates for the budget workshops. They will be staring the first week of February.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Romano made motion to approve December 11, 2006 minutes. Mr. Mandell seconded the motion. Ms. Wertheimer made some corrections. All were in favor and the minutes approval with the corrections.
Mr. Hampton made motion to approve the Special Minutes of December 14, 2006. Mr. Romano seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Romano made motion to adjourn at 7:35 p.m. Ms. Wertheimer seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas E. Vincent
First Selectman
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