Board of Finance Special Meeting Minutes - 11/5/14
BOARD OF FINANCE
SPECIAL MEETING – 6:00 PM
MINUTES
NOVEMBER 5, 2014
(to be approved at November 18, 2014 Regular Meeting)
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Askham, Chairman, called the Special Meeting of the Board of Finance to order at 6:00 P.M. on Wednesday, November 5, 2014 in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices located at 933 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT. The following members were also present: Barbara Petitjean, Jeff Blumenthal, Nicholas Mason, Linda Schofield and Moira Wertheimer. Also present were Joseph Mancini, Director of Finance/Treasurer, Thomas Cooke, Director of Administrative Services, Jeff Shea, Town Engineer, Burke LaClair, Board of Education Business Manager and other interested parties.
Pledge of Allegiance
Everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance
Public Audience
Ms. Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive, listed her reasons to not purchase the Hudson property:
Selling price is too high
Town would lose revenue from the taxes on the property
Too many unknowns about the property and future costs are undetermined
There are other areas in Town to launch a boat
Town should not be in the real estate business
Planning Commission vote does not address the financials
This sale is not a fiscally responsible purchase
Economic Development Commission has not reviewed the project with their recommendations
This purchase was not included in the 2014/2015 budget
Ms. Coe also discussed the CNR Budget and noted that, in theory, this premise seems reasonable to offset future costs. She referenced the Special Revenue Fund that has failed to provide reasonable budgeting by promising to close the short fall.
Ms. Coe stated that residents were told that the Ethel Walker property was a good deal for the tax payers, however, the Town overpaid for the land and will continue to pay for its upkeep. We should not have to use the General Fund for poor management shortfalls.
Ms. Barbara O’Connor, 39 Joshua Drive, is representing the Simsbury Tourism Committee and stated that she would like to present a resolution of their approval at their meeting on September 15, 2014, which the following motion was adopted:
That the committee supports the town of Simsbury determining a way to acquire the Betty Hudson property at 1 Old Bridge Road for the purpose of creating a serene and natural park next to the river as a compliment to the Flower Bridge and to attract visitors to enjoy the rivers views.
Ms. O’Connor noted that this was based on the committee’s experience over the summer of participating in the Connecticut Tourism effort to find the best towns in Connecticut. It was noted that the Flower Bridge is a treasure to the residents of Simsbury and a real attraction to visitors from out of town.
Mr. Jerry Lintner, 22 Massaco Street, noted that he is for quality of life in Simsbury. He is in agreement with Ms. O’Connor; however, he believes the Board of Finance needs to look at the economic standpoint for the purchase of this property. He believes that this would be a money maker for the Town.
Ms. Deege Macade, 15 Woodside Circle, who is co-chair of the Drake Hill Flower Bridge, noted that they fully support the acquisition of Betty Hudson’s home and believes that it also goes along with the 2007 plan for conservation and development, which is to purchase property along the Farmington River for active and passive recreation. She noted several groups who make a daily use of the Flower Bridge and the surrounding area.
Ms. Macade asked that if 1 Old Bridge Road was purchased by the Town, could the storage shed be kept on the property so that they could store their equipment.
Mr. Rick Wagner, 152 Old Farms Road, addressed Ms. Coe’s comments regarding the economic benefit of purchasing the Hudson property. He believes that this property will be something residents will look back on and agree that, for a small amount of money, is going to pay off in the long run.
Ms. Jenn Litner, 22 Massaco, stated that she is the Secretary for the Flower Bridge committee. She noted that Ms. Olson, who owns the property on the east side of 1 Old Bridge Road, touches the abutment of the bridge and some of the gardens they care for are on her property, which is not open space property. Ms. Litner hopes the Town will purchase the property to protect the other side of the bridge. She thinks the purchase of this property is a real opportunity to be able to get to the river and also enhance the Flower Bridge.
Ms. Evelyn Holland, 7 Ashton Circle, who is vice-chair of the Flower Bridge, noted that they were discussing that there was no access to the river for kayaks or canoes and thought this would be the perfect place for that access.
Mr. Richard Johnston, 29 Ridge Road, asked the Board members if it is planned to totally level the house on this property and put in boat docks, etc.
Mr. Askham stated that there will be presentation on the intent of what is planned for the property.
Purchase of Property at 1 Old Bridge Road
Mr. Cooke noted that this has been approved by the Board of Selectmen and has been through the Planning Commission. He discussed some of the positive reasons for moving forward in purchasing this property, with one being removing residences from flood plains.
Mr. Cooke stated that the Town has looked at the house and secured it safely. He noted that this will allow the Town to review the options available for use of the property.
Mr. Shea and Board members discussed the short and long term estimated costs of the property:
Short Term Plan
Secure the structure – Estimated Cost $250
Pump and inspect septic system – Estimated Cost $750
Winterize plumbing if building is not in use – Estimated Cost $750
Cleaning and inspection of furnace.Consider temporary removal of furnace and hot water heater. – Estimated Cost $1,000
Review for rodent/insect control – Estimated Cost $500
Secure driveway with barrier – Estimated Cost $100
Contact CIRMA for inclusion of flood insurance coverage – cost unknown
Consider installing alarm system - $500 and $50/month monitoring
Complete fence replacement in retaining wall area – Estimated Cost $800
Contract for mowing of grass for season – Estimated Cost $1,000 seasonally
Long Term Plan
Obtain 8-24 approval from the Planning Commission for acquisition of the property
Complete hazardous materials survey of the property to determine the extent to remediation required as part of a demolition plan – Estimated Cost $3,000
Determine options for repurposing of existing structures, full or partial demolition and hazardous material removal requirement
Obtain bid for hazardous materials removal, demolition and restoration of the site to natural conditions – Estimate Cost $25,000
Review possible abandonment of Old Bridge Road.Obtain 8-24 Approval from the Planning Commission for roadway abandonment.
Review regulatory requirement for development of the parcel and contiguous Town owned parcels for passive recreation activities – Estimated Cost $3,000
Ms. Petitjean voiced her concerns on the uncertainty of whether the house will stay or be demolished and the ongoing cost of keeping the structure. Mr. Shea stated that it will depend on how much the building will be used and how often the building will have to be heated. Mr. Cooke stated that the Town would like to hold onto the building, for a short term, to figure out whether or not the footprint will be needed for something else.
Ms. Heavner stated that she believes this property would be great for economic development in Simsbury and is consistent with the values of this community.
Mr. Mancini noted that he is recommending that the Board of Finance appropriate funds from the Fiscal Year 2014 operating budget for this effort. He noted that the Town of Simsbury is forecasting favorability for fiscal year 2014, in part due to the sale of Pharos Farm property.
Ms. Heavner and Mr. Peck discussed how to preserve the open space in Simsbury and what the potential for the different alternatives the Town might have.
Mr. Blumenthal made a motion to appropriate $200,000 for the acquisition of 1 Old Bridge Road. Ms. Schofield seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Spend to save policy for a new CNR Fund
Mr. Mancini discussed the Spend to save policy for a new CNR Fund with Board members.
Mr. Askham noted that all the Board members agreed to the concept and better language will be drafted.