TOWN OF SIMSBURY - BOARD OF SELECTMEN
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
DECEMBER 14, 2009
CALL TO ORDER
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. Present were: First Selectman Mary Glassman; Board members, Moira Wertheimer, Tom Herlihy, John Hampton, Lisa Heavner, and Robert Hensley. Others in attendance included Brandon Robertson, Bonnie Therrien and other interested parties.
First Selectman’s Report
Ms. Glassman noted that tonight was Brandon Robertson’s last Board meeting. She thanked him for his professional work and a great job of getting things done. She wished him the best of luck running the Town of Avon.
Ms. Glassman thanked Joyce Cahill and the Daughters of the Revolution for a great Wreaths Across America ceremony in Town on Saturday. It was a very moving ceremony. She also wished Jason Lill good wishes on behalf of the Town as he is being deployed again.
Ms. Glassman said the budget process begins soon. The department heads need to have their budgets to the Selectman by December 15th and the actual proposed budget goes before the Board on February 15th.
Ms. Glassman congratulated the Main Street Partnership on obtaining a $10,000 State Grant to continue work on the Charrette. This will allow an extra workshop on the Charrette as well.
Ms. Glassman said there was a generous donation from the Friends of the Library. It is a tool to check out how to lower your electrical costs. It is called Kilowatt.
Ms. Glassman said residents have noticed the work done by Tom Roy and the Highway Department with the pre-treating of the roads.
Ms. Glassman said the “Fill the Cruiser” was a success with $853.00, plus food and toys received from the Social Services Department. This was the largest amount ever received by the Town. She thanked the residents for all their generous donations to Town charities.
PUBLIC AUDIENCE
Robert Wise is requesting that the Board take up a settlement agreement from 2002. Ms. Glassman said there will be no discussion as this is a pending litigation matter.
Mr. Wise said there was a contract between him and the Town dated March 22, 2002 for the settlement of three cases. He handed the Board members a packet for their review.
Mr. Wise is requesting implementation of terms dated 8/19/2004 and he would like a vote on this issue tonight. If no vote is taken tonight, Mr. Wise said he would come back to the Board on January 25th and request a date for the withdrawal of Attorney DeCrescenzo. Ms. Glassman said there will be no discussion on this issue.
PRESENTATION
Bike Friendly Community Status Update
Ms. Glassman noted that Simsbury is trying to become the first bike friendly community in Connecticut. One of the tools needed is to file a grant application.
Steve Mitchell, 432 Hopmeadow Street introduced Paul Mikkelson, 11 Whitcomb Drive. Mr. Mikkelson said they are trying to create a bicycle friendly community in Simsbury. He said the League of American Cyclists in Washington D.C. determine that. The award is given to 96 towns out of 245 towns across the county.
Mr. Mikkelson said it makes sense for Simsbury as we also have “Rails to Trails” here and the East Coast Greenway. They handed out a pamphlet on the East Coast Greenway. There are five categories: Education; Engineering; Enforcement; Encouragement; and Evaluation.
Mr. Mitchell said the American League of Cyclists are coming to Simsbury to assess us and give us guidance on January 11-12, 2010.
Mr. Mitchell said the Bike Friendly Committee will meet every other Tuesday beginning January 12, 2010 from 3-5 p.m. They are all very enthusiastic about this process.
Ms. Glassman noted that there is a process that needs to be followed and all information will come back to the Board with this process.
Mr. Mitchell said the website to google is bicycle friendly community, which will bring you to league of American cyclists.
Mr. Herlihy made motion to amend the agenda to take up the Capitol Region Council of Governments application at this time. Mr. Hensley seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
Ms. Glassman said this is great as it gives us a chance to work with Towns participating in this proposal including Simsbury, Avon, Farmington, Bloomfield, Windsor, Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester, Vernon and Tolland that currently produce high levels on CO2 emissions and contribute to the regions’s high energy costs.
Mr. Herlihy made the following resolution:
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING GRANT APPLICATION(S) TO
THE STATE OFFICE OF POLICY AND MANAGEMENT FOR
REGIONAL BONUS POOL ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND
CONSERVATION BLOCK GRANT(S)
WHEREAS, Simsbury and other communities within the Capitol Region and the Farmington Valley are interested in pursuing initiatives that will lead to more energy-efficient development practices and bicycle friendly communities; and
WHEREAS, representatives of these communities have developed proposals for two initiatives which would forward these objectives, entitled:
1. Model Sustainable Development Regulations; and
2. Bicycle Friendly Communities; and
WHEREAS, the State Office of Policy and Management has announced the availability of $9,593,500 in funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Office of Policy and Management Supplemental Regional Bonus Pool, Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG), a competitive grant program; and
WHEREAS, the Capitol Region Council of Governments has agreed to assist Simsbury and the other partner communities in the preparation of Regional Bonus Pool EECBG Application(s) to carry out these proposals; and
WHEREAS, a lead municipality must file the Regional Bonus Pool EECBG Application(s) on behalf of the participating municipalities by the deadline of January 8, 2010; and
WHEREAS, the proposed initiatives are consistent with Simsbury’s future vision for its Town Center and the community as a whole;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Simsbury Board of Selectmen agrees that Simsbury will act as the lead municipality for the purpose of this grant application process, and authorizes the submission on or before January 8, 2010 of Regional Bonus Pool Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Application(s) for the creation of Model Sustainable Development Regulations and a Bicycle Friendly Communities initiative; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Simsbury Board of Selectmen authorizes its First Selectman, Mary Glassman, to act on behalf of the Town of Simsbury in entering into and amending contractual instruments related to the award of such grant(s).
Mr. Hampton seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
ACTION ITEMS
a) Review, discuss and possibly approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Board of Selectmen held on November 23, 2009.
Mr. Hampton made motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Board of Selectmen held on November 23, 2009 with a correction on page 2, last paragraph under Presentation to include less costs after review of other alternatives. The correction on page 3 under (b) needs to read Mr. Hampton seconded the motion with all in favor. Ms. Wertheimer seconded the motion. Three were in favor with Mr. Herlihy and Ms. Heavner abstaining.
b) Review, discuss and possibly authorize the First Selectman to execute an agreement between the State of Connecticut and the Town of Simsbury for the purchase of a Wheelchair Accessible Bus for the Dial-A-Ride Program.
Ms. Glassman said the Town is receiving a $40,000 grant for replacement vehicle. We do have funds to purchase this new vehicle.
Mr. Herlihy made motion to authorize the First Selectman to execute an agreement between the State of Connecticut and the Town of Simsbury for the purchase of a Wheelchair Accessible Bus for the Dial-A-Ride Program. Ms. Heavner seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
c) Update on Board of Education By-Laws - Public participation comments
Ms. Glassman noted that at the Special Board meeting Ms. Wertheimer suggested that there be two Public Audience portions of the agenda. She noted that the Board of Education doesn’t limit audience participation.
Ms. Glassman said the clerk will be keeping Public Audience time to five minutes per person starting in January 2010. There is to be at least 20 minutes for Public Audience.
After some discussion, it was decided that there will be better time keeping at the meetings and this item will be revisited if necessary.
d) Review, discuss and possibly approve a request for the use of Iron Horse Boulevard by the HARC Organization for a Walk-A-Thon on Sunday, May 16, 2010.
Mr. Herlihy made motion to approve a request for the use of Iron Horse Boulevard by the HARC Organization for a Walk-A-Thon on Sunday, May 16, 2010. Ms. Heavner seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
e) Review, discuss and possibly accept a financial donation in the amount of $1,569.50 from Paine’s Inc. to the Department of Social Services pursuant to the Town’s Gift Ordinance.
Ms. Wertheimer made motion to accept a financial donation in the amount of $1,569.50 from Paine’s, Inc. to the Department of Social Services pursuant to the Town’s Gift Ordinance. Mr. Herlihy seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
f) Review, discuss and possibly approve tax refunds as requested and recommended by the Tax Collector.
Mr. Herlihy made motion to approve tax refunds in the amount of $20,189.64 as requested and recommended by the Tax Collector. Mr. Hensley seconded the motion. Five were in favor with Mr. Hampton abstaining, therefore, the motion passed.
g) Review, discuss and possibly approve a request for the use of Eno Memorial Hall on Sunday, January 24, 2010 for a benefit concert.
Ms. Glassman asked that this item be tabled as they are looking for an alternative location as the custodial fees are too high for this concert.
Mr. Hensley made motion to table this request. Ms. Wertheimer seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
LIAISON REPORTS
There were no reports at this time.
SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS
a) Personnel
Mr. Hensley said he met with Bonnie and Brandon today to go over personnel issues and how the responsibilities work. He will inform the Board of his meeting schedule.
b) Finance - no report at this time.
c) Welfare - no report at this time.
d) Public Safety - no report at this time.
Ms. Glassman noted that she awaits the State budget update in January. Mr. Hensley noted that there will be a Board of Finance meeting tomorrow night.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Hampton made motion to adjourn at 8:55 p.m. Mr. Hensley seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary A. Glassman
First Selectman
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