Board of Selectmen Hometown Hero Special Meeting May 11, 2015

TOWN OF SIMSBURY – BOARD OF SELECTMEN    "Subject to Approval"
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES – MAY 11, 2015

CALL TO ORDER

The Special Meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order at 6:05 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. Present were: First Selectman Lisa Heaver; Board members Sean Askham, Cheryl Cook, Nancy Haase, and Michael Paine. Christopher Kelly was absent. Also in attendance were: Thomas Cooke, Director of Administrative Services, Gerry Toner, Director of Culture, Parks and Recreation; Tom Roy, Director of Public Works, and other interested parties.

Ms. Heavner said this is the most exciting meeting of the year. She recognized the Hometown Hero Committee members: T.J. Donohue, Len Lanza, Tom Horan, Roger Spear, Michael Paine, and herself. She said there were a lot of nominees this year.

Ms. Heavner asked for a moment of silence for the passing for T.J. Herlihy. He will be missed.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.

SELECTMEN ACTION

a) Approval of the Hometown Hero Nominees

Ms. Haase made a motion to approve the Hometown Nominees:

Wanda Coleman
Jackson Eno
Mary Glassman
Paul Lanza
Larry Linonis & Simsbury Silver Steering Committee
Robert Lyle

Ms. Cook seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

Mr. Paine introduced Wanda Coleman. He said she is currently the chairman of the Tariffville Village Association and has exhibited extraordinary ability and commitment in the promotion of Tariffville and Simsbury as a total community. She loves the town and has used her talents, including photography, to help Simsbury shine. She is part of everything that happens in Tariffville, from kayak races to her efforts to help save the post office. Despite all she gives, she still has time for her beloved pugs.

Ms. Heavner said it was with heavy hearts that Mr. Eno wasn’t able to be with us tonight to receive this award. Jackson Eno, Jr. accepted the award for his father.

Ms. Haase said Mr. Eno was born in Simsbury 66 years ago and was an active supporter and benefactor of his beloved Simsbury until his recent passing. He was a knowledgeable historian for the town and its founding families. He served the town as vice president of the Simsbury Historical Society and was the chairman of Simsbury’s Bicentennial Committee at 26. He served two terms on the board of selectmen and was chair of the Simsbury House (1820 House) Steering Committee in its successful effort to preserve the historic building. He was a moving force in many Simsbury organizations, including the Simsbury Cemetery Association, Simsbury Land Trust, Simsbury Free Library and Simsbury Main Street Partnership. He organized the first Fountain Bash to help raise funds for the support of the White Memorial Foundation. Jackson was also active with numerous state and national historical and preservation groups, such as the Pinchot Institute for Conservation. He will be sorely missed.

Ms. Heavner noted that the Town will be donating a book in Mr. Jacksons’ name. They will discuss which book to donate with the family. Mr. Jackson said his dad knew he was nominated and he was very excited about it.

Ms. Heavner said she has valued Ms. Glassman’s friendship for many years. Ms. Glassman has worked for more than 20 years to preserve Simsbury’s historic charm while having the vision to help the community thrive for generations to come. When she was First Selectman, she went above and beyond her job description to make the town a great place for families. Under her leadership Simsbury continued to acquire open space, leading to preservation of 32% of the town’s land; the town was named the state’s first Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists and is the only town in the state to achieve Silver recognition. Simsbury was also name one of the Dozen Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and one of the 100 Best Places to live in the United State by Money Magazine. Ms. Glassman’s warm and encouraging spirit has helped bring together the volunteers that make Simsbury such a special place to live.

Ms. Glassman thanked the people who nominated her and thanked the committee for choosing her for this honor. She congratulated everyone who was nominated. Ms. Glassman said she knew Simsbury was a special place when she moved here 30 years ago and she never thought her gift would be the gift of public service for 16 years. She has been through good and sad time throughout the years and we have lost a lot of good people in the past several weeks. She asked everyone to think about what their gift could be to the Town and how to keep the Town such a special place. She thanked everyone for this award and said she appreciated it very much.

Mr. Paine said Paul Lanza is currently serving his second term as a member of the Design Review Board. He is a past member of the Public Building Committee and Historic District Commission. He built and maintains a collection box for the Simsbury Food Band at Rosedale Farms, which has collected more than 700 bags of groceries to date. In conjunction with State Representative John Hampton, Mr. Lanza has held eight special weekend collections for the food bank. He also runs a successful business as a builder of one-of-a-kind sea chests.

Mr. Lanza said that his dad bought the first automobile from Dick Wagner. He said he helped Representative Hampton with the food drives and she spoke to Mickey Lecours-Beck about building a sea chest for Rosedale Farms to collect food. Mr. Lanza said he collected 19 bags of food just today alone.

Ms. Cook said Larry Linonis tirelessly serves the Town through his direction of the non-profit Simsbury Free Bike membership in Simsbury Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee, supporting bicycle education in the schools, and his unofficial ambassadorship on the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail and general mentoring of town cycling enthusiasts young and old alike. His stewardship knows no bounds as he has been seen shoveling snow off walkways and with a broom on his bike to clear sand from the path. The Silver Steering Committee of the Simsbury Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee is the core group of volunteer advocates who identified objectives and worked with town partners to implement programs and prepare a lengthy application that earned Simsbury a Silver-level Bicycle Friendly Community designation from the League of American Bicyclists, the only such designation in the state. Members of committee include: Pattie Smith Jacobus, Diana Moody, Larry Linonis, Steven Mitchell, Deborah Thibodeau, Robert Carmen, Sheree Landerman and Chuck Brody. The Silver designation benefits residents and businesses and is a tremendous source of pride for the town.

Steve Mitchell said it was Mary Glassman’s fault that Simsbury has become a 2009 bike friendly community. Bronze was given to the town in 2010; the first town in New England. He said it is a pleasure to work with everyone. The dedication of everyone is just outstanding and very special. Please go on their website Simsbury.bike to try to give them a smaller name. They are also holding a celebration on May 9th at the Town Pub from 5-9 and everyone is welcome.

Robert Lyle’s son and daughter were accepting on his behalf. Mr. Askham said Bob and his wife have been residents of Simsbury for 49 years and their three children went through the Simsbury schools. He has always been very active. After assistant coaching for youth soccer the very first year, Bob, in a Jaycee sponsored project, helped establish Simsbury Youth Soccer, Inc. The teams were made up of girls and boys. He has also been an active member of the First Church of Christ serving on several committees. One of his proudest experiences was volunteering for the Simsbury Service Unit of the Salvation Army, participating in its many kettle drives. All of the money collected goes to those in town who are in need of some financial assistance. He is a master gardener and is active with the 4H Education Center in Auerfarm. Each year an average of 3,000 lbs. of vegetables is donated to the needy in Greater Hartford, including the Farmington Valley, through Foodshare. He is also a member of the Simsbury Historical Society and was elected to the board in 2010 as chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee.

His son said his dad is visiting with his brother in Arizona, but he was thankful for this honor. The family feels it is wonderful that the town has recognized him. His daughter said he is a humble man, but a hero to his family.

Ms. Heavner thanked everyone for coming and supporting the Hometown Heroes. There will be refreshments in room 103 for all to enjoy. She recognized JoAnn for putting this whole thing together.

ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mr. Askham made motion to adjourn to Executive Session at 6:30 to discuss a heart and hypertension claim. Ms. Haase seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

In addition to the Board of Selectmen, Deputy Director of Administrative Services Sean Kimball and Director of Administrative Services Tom Cooke attended the Executive Session. Bill O’Connell of CIRMA and Attorney Jim Pomeranz, who represents the Town of Simsbury in connection with the heart and hypertension claim, were also present.

ADJOURN

Mr. Askham made a motion to adjourn from Executive Session at 6:50 p.m. Ms. Haase seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathi Radocchio
Clerk