TOWN OF SIMSBURY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
JUNE 25, 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; John Romano, John Hampton, Joel Mandell, Moira Wertheimer, and David Ryan. Others in attendance included Attorney Bob DeCrescenzo, Sarah Floroski, Kevin Kowalski and other interested parties.
Mr. Vincent called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
HOMETOWN HERO AWARD
Mr. Vincent said "the Hometown Hero Award was initiated in 1986 by Governor William O'Neill as part of the 350th Anniversary of the founding of Connecticut, towns were invited to designate residents as "Hometown Heroes" for any deed or service that made the community a better place in which to live. Since that time, the Town of Simsbury has recognized its own Hometown Heroes at a ceremony on or near the date of Simsbury's birth, May 12th."
Mr. Vincent asked Barbara Griffin and Nancy Hendryx to come forward.
Mr. Mandell said "Barbara Griffin has lived in Simsbury for 35 years and has been an active volunteer for all of those years. As a member of St. Mary's Church she serves on the Rosary Guild. Her membership in the Simsbury Woman's Club spans 30 years and for the period of 2002-2004 she received a state wide volunteer of the year award from the General Federation of Women's Clubs. Other organizations benefitting from Barbara's services are the Historical Society, McLean Home, Simsbury Republican Women's Club, the Second Hand Shop, and Cub Scouts and the Jack Bannon Turkey Trot. Barbara's most recent accomplishment was receiving the Secretary of State's Public Service Award in Recognition of "Dedicated Service and Contributions as a Poll Worker in Connecticut."
Mr. Vincent read the plaque that said this program recognizes all those who have made Simsbury what it was in the past, what it is today, and what it will be in the future.
Mr. Mandell said "Nancy Hendryx has been a hero to Simsbury through her outstanding work to maintain an environmentally friendly and ethical community. She is a long time member and former chair of the Board of Ethics and as a former chair of the Recycling Committee she helped establish the Swap Center and the Recycling Awards. She is the founder and list owner of Simsbury Freecycle, a group that encourages the swapping and sharing of unwanted goods between members and helps to reduce landfill.
Additionally, Nancy volunteers with Opening Night, Friends of the Simsbury Library, Farmington River Watershed Association, Simsbury Land Trust and Friends of the Town Farm Dairy."
Mr. Vincent also read her plaque. Mr. Vincent congratulated both ladies for their contributions. He said this award is very important to the community, as the backbone of the community is the volunteers. This is what the Town is all about and it has made this Town so great.
PUBLIC AUDIENCE
Richard Martinik, 5 Main Street Extension, Tariffville, said he is very upset that for the past 15-16 years he has approached someone in the Town Forest about the eyesore limbs in the center of Tariffville. He feels they are also hazardous and unsound. He gave the Board a picture of the limbs he is talking about, and would really like something done about this problem before someone gets hurt.
Julie Meyer, 3 Eastview Drive, spoke about the moratorium that Mr. Romano presented to the Board about the Big Box development. She supports this proposal and would like the board to approve a 6month moratorium on this development. She spoke about other states that also had many problems with Big Box developments.
She spoke about Lake Land and said the Board could speak to Sargent Wagner at 301-424-9366 and he would be happy discuss problems and traffic issues with the Board. Ms. Meyer would also like a community based charette to let the residents decide what can be built here. She urged the passing of the moratorium that Mr. Romano presented.
Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive, said there is an inability of the Building Dept. to perform to the State Building Code, which puts buildings at risk and might affect public safety in the future. The Board should not disregard issues of public safety.
She said there is an ongoing lawsuit after the fire at 540 Hopmeadow Street. It was started in May of 2004. She wants to know if the taxpayers will have to pay for any of this lawsuit.
Ms. Coe said she recently filed a FOI complaint with Paul Henault, Chairman of the Board of Finance pertaining to a violation of executive session. Mr. Henault invited two members of the Board of Education to the executive session. She doesn't feel they should have been at this executive session and therefore were in violation of the Freedom of Information Act.
Ms. Coe said Mr. Henault will have to therefore read the rules of the executive sessions for the next year.
Ms. Coe said the Democratic party has not endorsed any candidate at this time.
Ms. Coe said there is an agenda item tonight about Mr. Walsh and the Friends of Town Farm Dairy. She cannot find anything at the Farm that could help the poor.
Ms. Coe said Mr. Romano presented a proposal for a Senior Center and she feels the barn at the Farm could be made into a Senior Center. This would serve the poor as a food pantry, garden, elder care, etc.
Ms. Coe spoke about the chip sealing on some of the roads. If anyone has had damage to their cars, they can contact the Town.
Ms. Coe gave the Board a picture of a calendar and some cars, as attached, who have advertising and logos on them. They Town logo should be on these vehicles, not Wagner Ford.
All of Ms. Coe's comments can be read on Simsbury.com/forum.
Mr. Romano asked about developer fees. Mr. Vincent said all the Board needs to review the information and the Board will then discuss it further. He will look into this further.
Mr. Romano feels the moratorium needs to be discussed further with Mr. Peck and Zoning Commission.
PUBLIC HEARING
Mr. Vincent opened the Public Hearing at 7:30 p.m.
Mr. Mandell read the following: "Town of Simsbury, Legal Notice; The Board of Selectmen will hold a public hearing on June 25th at 7:30 pm. In the Main Meeting Room of the Town Offices to consider an amendment to Article 5 Section 18 of Chapter 141 of the Town Code of Ordinances entitled Tax Abatement for Volunteer Firefighters and Ambulance Personnel-Eligibility. Copies of the proposed amendment are available at www.simsbury-ct.gov and at the Town Clerk's Office."
Mr. Vincent said the existing ordinance was proposed by the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Co. The purpose of the amendment is to allow those volunteers of the Ambulance and Volunteer Fire Co. reaching 25 years to continue to receive their $1000 tax abatement for the remainder of their residency in Simsbury. The additional estimated cost would be $6,000.
Kevin Kowalski, Chief of Administrative Services for the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company
said this is a tool to help maintain a retention for members that have 20 years so far in the Dept. They usually see a drop off in volunteers after 20 years and feel the five extra years would help members stay longer. They are trying to maintain quality staffing and the great service that they provide.
Mr. Kowalski said the volunteers would also have to maintain their minimum requirements such as a 65% training schedule and minimum response time of 25% of calls to be considered for this benefit.
Mark McPherson, EMT, said the cost of this benefit is very low and 25 years of ambulance service is a miracle. Their members have to put in 288 hours of roster time. This could be a tie-breaker for some members.
Greg Silpe, 21 Cocktail Way, a 16 year member of the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Co., and the Chairman of the Long Range Strategic Planning Committee, spoke on behalf of this benefit. He feels this is critical to the well-run machine they have now. He would like the Board to consider this benefit.
Ms. Coe asked about other benefits they receive. Mr. Kowalski said the Fire Company does have a pension plan for the members which is now $12/month per year of service. They also have Workmen's Comp. coverage and receive medical exams that are paid for as required by OSHA. If members go to certain training they may be eligible for Federal monies. They do receive a 1099 form for taxes.
Mr. McPherson said the ambulance members get about 25cents per hour. This goes into a slush fund which goes towards paying for their boots, etc. They just started a pension fund. They receive no money from the Town of Simsbury.
Attorney DeCrescenzo sent the Board a letter about the State Statute stating that the Town is not required to approve the ordinance but can allow the abatement.
After no further comment, Ms. Wertheimer made motion to close the Public Hearing at 7:50 p.m. Mr. Mandell seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
FINANCE
a) Tax Refunds
Ms. Wertheimer made motion to approve the tax refunds in the amount of $1,800.53 for the period covering June 6 - June 20, 2007. Mr. Romano seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
b) Ordinance
Ms. Wertheimer made motion to approve the proposed ordinance as discussed in the Public Hearing. Mr. Romano seconded the motion.
Mr. Mandell would like "good service" is not a defined term, but in Section 141-18 there are defined terms and he would like those terms used throughout.
After further discussion, all were in favor and the motion passed.
MISCELLANEOUS
a) Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism
Mr. Vincent read the following resolution: "The First Selectman is authorized and directed to file an application on forms prescribed by the Connecticut Commission of Culture and Tourism Financial Assistance. In accordance with the provisions of Public Act 03-06 of Connecticut General Assembly in the amount not to exceed $30,000 upon approval of said request to enter into and execute a funding agreement with the State for such financial assistance to this municipality for expanding its program for marketing, heritage and tourism".
Mr. Mandell made motion to approve this motion. Ms. Wertheimer seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
Mr. Mandell made motion for the following resolution: "WHEREAS, the Town of Simsbury has been a Certified Local Government (CLG) in the Federal Preservation Program since 1992; and
WHEREAS, the State of Connecticut through its Commission on Culture and Tourism is offering Supplemental CLG Grants which are state funds provided by the Community Investment Act; and WHEREAS, the Town of Simsbury has long supported historic preservation and heritage tourism through its Historic District Commission, Tourism Committee, Farmington
Valley Visitors Association, and the Simsbury Main Street Partnership; and WHEREAS, this Grant, if awarded, will improve our community's ability to protect and promote its historic resources; now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Town of Simsbury will accept this grant, if awarded, and will remain committed to this project through its completion, RESOLVED, that the Town of Simsbury appoints the Simsbury Main Street Partnership, Inc. As its agent in administering this Grant for development of heritage tourism materials, RESOLVED, that the First Selectman Thomas E. Vincent is authorized and directed to file an application on forms prescribed by the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism for financial assistance in accordance with the provisions of Public Act 03-06 of the Connecticut General Assembly, in an amount
not to exceed $30,000, and upon such approval said request to enter into and execute a funding agreement with the state for such financial assistance to this municipality for development of heritage tourism". Mr. Hampton seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
b) C L & P
Mr. Ryan made motion to authorize the First Selectman to execute the letter of agreement with CL & P. Mr. Romano seconded the motion. Ms. Wertheimer abstained due to a possible conflict of interest. All other members approve and the motion passed.
c) Dial-a-ride
Mr. Mandell made motion to authorize the First Selectman to execute the agreement for the Dial-a-Ride grants. Ms. Wertheimer seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
d) Farmland Ground Lease to the Friends of the Town Farm Dairy
Mr. Vincent noted that the Town has two leases with Mr. Walsh, one for the farmland and one for the house located on the property. The lease for the farmland expires on January 31, 2008. The lease forbids Mr. Walsh form transferring an interest in the property without the approval of the Board of Selectmen.
Mr. Vincent asked that the Board authorize the assignment of Mr. Walsh's responsibilities under the lease to the Friends of the Town Farm Dairy. The Town will work with the Friends for a new operating agreement.
Mr. Hampton made motion to assign the lease originally entered into with Mr. Walsh, for the property located at 73 Wolcott Road entitled Farm Land Ground Lease, to the Friends of the Town Farm Dairy effective back to June 15, 2007. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion. After some discussion, all were in favor and the motion passed.
SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS
a) Mr. Hampton said the next Public Safety meeting will be held on July 19, 2007 at 7 am.
b) Nothing from Finance
c) Nothing from Welfare
d) Mr. Mandell said the Personnel Sub-Committee held a meeting tonight to discuss unaffiliated salaries for employees and officials. They will report to the Board at the next meeting.
RESIGNATIONS & APPOINTMENTS
a) Mr. Mandell made motion to accept the resignation of Charles J. Nicol from the Culture, Parks and Recreation Committee effective June 22, 2007. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
b) Mr. Mandell made motion to appoint Karen E. Cortes as a full member of the Culture, Parks and Recreation Committee for a term to expire on January 1, 2012. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
c) Mr. Mandell made motion to appoint Jeffrey E. Tindall as a full member of the Aging & Disability Commission with a term to expire on January 1, 2012. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
LIAISON REPORTS
Mr. Mandell said the Library building is moving along nicely. The substitute Library is doing very nicely as well.
Mr. Mandell said Charmaine Glew received an award for the 2007 Outstanding Friends Individual Achievement Award from the Friends of Connecticut Libraries. Congratulations to her.
Mr. Romano said the Aging & Disability Commission discussed the possibility of them being added as a line item in the budget for next year. They will make a formal presentation in the future.
MINUTES
Mr. Mandell made motion to approve the regular minutes of June 11, 2007. Mr. Hampton seconded the motion. After some corrections, all were in favor and the motion passed.
Mr. Vincent said Tom Cross was drafted by the Boston Bruins as a 35th pick which is a very high honor. Congratulations to him.
ADJOURNMENT
Ms. Wertheimer made motion to adjourn to executive session pursuant to C.G.S. 1-200 (6)(B) at 8:20 p.m. Mr. Mandell seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Present in Executive Session were the Board of Selectmen and Town Attorney.
ADJOURN FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board of Selectmen adjourned from executive session and no action was taken.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas E. Vincent,
First Selectman
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