TOWN OF SIMSBURY - BOARD OF SELECTMEN
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
JANUARY 25, 2010
A. Call to Order
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order at 7:03 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. Present were: First Selectman Mary Glassman; Board members Tom Herlihy, John Hampton, Lisa Heavner, and Robert Hensley. Absent was Moira Wertheimer. Others in attendance included: Bonnie Therrien, Mickey Lecours-Beck, Chuck Howard, Colleen O’Connor, Donald Rieger and other interested parties.
B. Pledge of Allegiance
Everyone stood for the pledge of allegiance.
C. Proclamation - Go Red for Women - February 5, 2010
Ms. Heavner read the following special Proclamation: “WHEREAS, diseases of the heart are the nation’s leading cause of death and stroke is the third leading cause of death; and
WHEREAS, more than 5,300 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 kills more than 460,000 women in the U.S> every year; more than the next 5 causes of death combined, including all cancers; 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, Mary A. Glassman, First Selectman, in recognition of the importance of the ongoing fight against heart disease and stroke, do hereby proclaim February 5, 2010 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 Simsbury, Connecticut, this 25th Day of January 2010.
Mary A. Glassman, First Selectman
D. First Selectman’s Report
Ms. Glassman thanked the staff as the Board has started the budget process earlier this year. She said there was a budget workshop before the meeting tonight. There will be another workshop on Tuesday, 1/26 at 4:00 p.m. to discuss Planning and Land Use, Public Works and Facilities Management, Sewer Use Fund and the Health District. There will also be a special Saturday workshop at 9 a.m. on 1/30 focusing on Capital Improvements, Culture, Parks and Recreation and Simsbury Farms Fund. She encouraged everyone to attend.
Ms. Glassman said the Town is investing in a new telephone system for better communications with the public. The staff will be reviewing the three proposals and interviewing firms that qualify for this project.
Ms. Glassman said Culture, Parks and Recreation in conjunction with the CT Music Therapy Services, will now be offering a new music therapy program for children with autism and related special needs. This program will be offered Saturday mornings beginning March 13 and registration is now being taken.
Ms. Glassman thanked Mickey Lecours-Beck and Kathleen Marschall for their update on the issues raised in the Senior Citizens Survey. They will be expanding the senior evening programs. They will also provide a shuttle for people who have to park in the overflow lot to the rear entrance of Eno on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Ms. Glassman said they have also initiated offsite programs at the Virginia Connelly Residence. They have also added computer classes and exercise programs.
E. Public Audience
Robert Kalechman, 971 Hopmeadow Street spoke again about the Hall Farm vote. He feels the item was voted on without knowing where the money was coming from. He said the Board of Finance vetoed them. He feels the “Tobacco Road” was also a bad idea.
Mr. Kalechman spoke again about the Freedom of Information Act and minutes being posted on time for meetings.
Mr. Kalechman feels the Board needs to tighten their belts during this tough budget season and not increase taxes.
F. Hearings - None
Selectmen’s Actions:
1. Ordinances, Resolutions and Appointments for Action -
a. Acceptance of Resignations from Boards and Commissions:
(1) Thomas E. Frank (D) of 19 Banbury Drive has resigned as Commissioner to the Economic Development Commission.
Mr. Hampton made motion to accept the resignation of Thomas Frank, 19 Banbury Drive, from the Economic Development Commission. Mr. Hensley seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
(2) Sarah Neighbours (R) of 315 Hopmeadow Street has resigned as a member of the Tourism Committee.
Ms. Heavner made motion to accept the resignation of Sarah Neighbours of 315 Hopmeadow Street from the Tourism Committee. Mr. Herlihy seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
b. Appointments:
(1) Howard Beach, Staff Member, as the Blight Prevention Officer and the Zoning Enforcement Officer until the end of the Board of Selectmen’s term of office.
Mr. Hensley made motion to appoint Howard Beach as the Zoning and Blight Enforcement Officer for the Town of Simsbury until December 5, 2011. Ms. Heavner seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
2. Unfinished Business - None at this time.
3. Other Business
a. Review, discuss and possibly approve Tax Abatements for Local Business Expansions
Ms. Glassman recused herself during the vote on the Hoffman Auto Park tax abatement.
Mr. Hampton made motion to approve, as recommended by the Business Development Committee, the following tax abatements: Hoffman Auto Park, 38 and 46 Albany Turnpike for a
3 year abatement totaling $150,825 and an abatement for Bikram Yoga, 7 Deer Park Road for a 3 year abatement totaling $5,579. Mr. Hensley seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
Ms. Glassman returned to the meeting.
b. Review, discuss and possibly approve the hiring of an outside Attorney for work specifically related to Town Center Code
Mr. Herlihy made motion to hire Attorney Robert Sitkowski for an amount not to exceed $6,000 to assist with finalizing the Town Center Code. Ms. Heavner seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
c. Review, discuss and possibly approve a Memorandum of Understanding - Mutual Aid Agreement - Building Inspection Departments
Mr. Hensley made motion to authorize the First Selectman to sign the Building Inspectors Memorandum of Understanding for emergency inspection services with the Towns of Granby, Hartland, East Granby, Suffield and Bloomfield. Ms. Heavner seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
d. Review, discuss and possibly approve a Request to Use Town Property for Upcoming Events
Mr. Hampton made motion to approve the following events on Town property as per their request, as long as there is timely issuance of a public gathering permit and insurance, if necessary and pending approval of Town staff: Farmington Valley Trails Council’s Annual Fundraiser - June 5, 2010; Valley Collector Car Club on July 11, 2010; Hartford Marathon Half Marathon on June 6, 2010, the Lion’s Club event on May 1, 2010 and the New England Whitewater Triple Crown Championships for April 10 and 11, 2010. Ms. Heavner seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
e. Review, discuss and possibly approve an Extension of Pharos Farm Ground License to March 31, 2011
Mr. Hampton made motion to authorize the First Selectman to sign a one year extension of the Ground License Agreement between the Town and George Hall at the current lease terms. Ms. Heavner seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
f. Review, discuss and possibly approve Tax Refunds
Mr. Hensley made motion to approve the tax refund requests in the amount of $1,370.77 for the
list of 2008. Ms. Heavner seconded the motion. All were in favor with Mr. Herlihy abstaining; therefore the motion passed.
g. Review, discuss and possibly approve The West Mountain Trails for designation as a Connecticut Greenway
Mr. Hampton made motion: “Whereas:
Simsbury Land Trust maintains an interconnected series of hiking trails known as “The West Mountain Trails” originating at its property at 60 Westledge Road;
Segments of those trails traverse parcels of Town of Simsbury open space;
Simsbury Land Trust proposes to nominate The West Mountain Trails for designation by
the Connecticut Greenways Council as a “Connecticut Greenway”; and
For such an application, the Connecticut Greenways Council requires that the nomination
be endorsed by the local municipality and that the applicant’s permission to locate the
trail upon municipal property be of record.
Therefore, be it resolved:
That permission for Simsbury Land Trust to locate portions of The West Mountain Trails
across Town of Simsbury open space, heretofore given orally, shall be noted of record;
and
That, recognizing The West Mountain Trails as a significant public amenity, the
Simsbury Board of Selectmen endorses their nomination for designation as a Connecticut
Greenway.”
Ms. Heavner seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
4. Bids - None
5. Ordinances, Resolutions and Appointments for Introduction - None
6. Acceptance of Minutes
a. January 11, 2010 - Special Meeting
Mr. Herlihy made motion to approve the Special Meeting Minutes of January 11, 2010 with a
change to C. Public Audience - last sentence to read: Selectman Herlihy requested that all Board
members be copied on all e-mails. Ms. Heavner seconded the motion. All were in favor with the change and the motion passed.
b. January 11, 2010 - Regular Meeting
Ms. Heavner made motion to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of January 11, 2010 as presented. Mr. Hensley seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
H. Selectmen Liaison and Sub-Committee Reports
Mr. Hampton said there is a Republican vacancy on Aging and Disabilities for an alternate member. Ms. Glassman said she has asked the Republicans and Democrats for recommendations to all open positions.
Mr. Hampton said there will be a Special Public Safety meeting on January 29th at 7 a.m. in the Main Meeting Room. All are welcome.
Ms. Heavner said the Simsbury High School will be performing Barnum in the Auditorium on January 29-31st and February 5-6th. Adult tickets are $12 and students and seniors are $10. The Town was also able to facilitate free tickets for those who can’t afford it. She thanked the school district for their generosity.
Mr. Hensley said the Police Commission voted for a new chairman. Also, he went to the Planning meeting as they welcomed some new members. He said the Performing Arts Board is working on an alcohol policy and improving events. Mr. Hensley said the next Personnel Sub Committee meeting will be held on February 8, 2010.
Mr. Herlihy said the Zoning special meeting workshop is being held tonight and they are making progress.
Adjournment
Mr. Hensley made motion to adjourn at 8:10 p.m. Mr. Hampton seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathi Radocchio, Clerk
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