Board of Selectmen Regular Meeting 02/25/2013
TOWN OF SIMSBURY – BOARD OF SELECTMEN
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES – FEBRUARY 25, 2013
CALL TO ORDER
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Selectmen as called to order at 7:22 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. Present were First Selectman Mary Glassman; Board members Sean Askham, Shannon Knall, Lisa Heavner, Moira Wertheimer, and Nancy Haase. Others in attendance included Richard Sawitzke, Tom Cooke, Gerry Toner, Colleen O’Connor, Robert Hensley, Attorney DeCrescenzo and other interested parties.
PUBLIC AUDIENCE
Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive showed pictures from 2/11/13 with the place-card for Deputy First Selectman already assigned. This was done before the actually vote for Deputy First Selectman.
She stated that Lisa Heavner is in violation of Section 411 and asked the Board to investigate, under Section 410 of the Town Charter, her allegations further and bring their findings to the public.
Ms. Coe said she reviewed the annual report of the High School teachers. She doesn’t understand why bullying is ignored. She doesn’t understand why security guards go to out of town events. She also doesn’t understand why texting is allowed in the hallways. She asked why there are so many concussions in schools and there are a lot of incidents of poor judgement.
Ms. Coe asked about management positions being available. She wants to know about the cost to the residents.
Ms. Coe also spoke about the light pole not being replaced at Eno Farms. This is not a safe entry without the pole, and she wants to know when it will be replaced.
Robert Kalechman, Simsbury, also spoke about the placement of the name under Deputy First Selectman before the vote. He said the votes weren’t there for Ms. Heavner to become Deputy First Selectman and it was tabled. He has no objection that Ms. Glassman has the person she wants as Deputy First Selectman.
Mr. Kalechman said there was a “secret meeting” on January 27th. He never got a chance to talk to the Congresswoman. He said Senator Murphy had a meeting on February 1st or 2nd by invitation. He doesn’t agree with these “secret meetings”.
Mr. Kalechman also spoke about the murder/suicide where a 1month old baby is now an orphan. He doesn’t think anyone did any fund-raising for that child. All he saw was the Police Chief who gave a press conference. Mr. Kalechman is still waiting for this Board to decorate the Officer who said he wasn’t going to wait for the SWAT team and he went into the house. He is a very brave man.
Mr. Kalechman said he believes in the Constitution. He read a part of the State Constitution, Article I, Section 18, Declaration of Rights about baring arms to protect yourself.
Susan Masino, 41 Madison Lane, spoke about open space. There have been discussions at many Open Space meetings about parcels of open space that the Town owns. They feel if the properties could be sold they would be interested in doing so.
Ms. Masino thinks the organic farming at Pharos Farms is the highest and best use for the land. The Town will receive a significant amount of money to secure that future for the land. She feels this is a very creative, great deal for the Town. She also feels there are no chemicals on the land.
Ms. Masino said they were going to be starting a new chapter of the Junior Grange in Town. More details are to come.
FIRST SELECTMAN’S REPORT
Ms. Glassman said the Town maintains Aaa Rating from Moody’s for this week’s bond sale. This is Moody’s highest rating, which demonstrates their confidence in how the Town is managing its budget and operations during difficult economic times.
Ms. Glassman said the rating was based on Town strengths which include its conservative financial management practices, a stable reserve position and a stable tax base.
Ms. Glassman said this rating is the result of hard work by Town staff and a clear commitment from the Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance, and Board of Education. The Town’s success at recouping storm costs and returning over $2.6 million to the General Fund, with more on the way, played a significant part in maintaining this excellent rating.
SELECTMEN ACTION
a) Action on the proposed Resolution for the Sale of Pharos Farm
Ms. Heavner made a motion to approved the following resolution:
TOWN OF SIMSBURY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
RESOLUTION
SALE OF PHAROS FARM
WHEREAS, the Simsbury Land Trust (“SLT”) has outlined a proposal (the “SLT Plan”) to the Town for the SLT to obtain a conservation easement on two parcels of Simsbury farmland totaling 50.3 acres. The first parcel is in 10.6 acres George Hall Farm at 180 Old Farms Road (“George Hall Farm or Parcel I"). The second parcel is the town-owned 39.7 acre property known as Pharos Farm (“Pharos Farm or Parcel II”); and
WHEREAS, the SLT Plan requires that the Town agree to the sale of Pharos Farm to George Hall for its fair market value; and
WHEREAS, the proposal will allow SLT to obtain funding for a conservation easement for the preservation of the George Hall Farm in West Simsbury and Pharos Farm; and
WHEREAS, SLT believes there is a linkage between the two properties because George Hall has organically farmed Pharos Farm since the early to mid- 1970's on annual leases from the Town; and
WHEREAS, SLT proposed transaction will be taken in three steps leading to a conservation easement on both the George Hall Farm and Pharos Farms with SLT as the grantee. At the conclusion of three transactions, (1) George Hall will own Pharos Farm (Parcel II) subject to the SLT conservation easement; and (2) the George Hall Farm (Parcel I) will be protected by the SLT conservation easement as permanent farmland; and
WHEREAS, the original SLT Plan included an option for construction of a residence on Pharos Farm. Subsequent to a public hearing on December 10, 2012 the SLT Plan was modified to restrict construction on Pharos Farm to exclude a residence but to include an option for construction of a barn (the “Revised SLT Plan”).
WHEREAS, according to the Revised SLT Plan, while the Town would no longer own
Pharos Farm, the Town will benefit because (a) it will receive full value for the property and the proceeds from the sale can be used to purchase other valuable open space; or maintain current open space; and (b) Pharos Farm land will continue to be protected from development by virtue of the SLT conservation easement; and
WHEREAS, the Revised SLT Plan has been approved by the Simsbury Open Space Committee and the Simsbury Planning Commission pursuant to General Statutes § 8-24. The Simsbury Planning Commission recommended additional terms addressing an existing easement on the Pharos Farm property, maintenance of Pharos Lane and a certain limitations on barn construction; and
WHEREAS, the sale by the Town will be contingent on the concurrent purchase by SLT of the conservation easement covering both properties described above.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
1. The Board of Selectmen approved the sale of Pharos Farm to George Hall for its fair
market value as established by an independent appraisal commissioned by the Town and further contingent on the sale of a conservation easement by George Hall of the George Hall Farm to the Simsbury Land Trust as outlined in the Revised SLT Plan described herein.
2. The First Selectman is authorized to take any and all actions necessary to consummate the sale of Pharos Farm to ths SLT.
Public Hearing Date: Monday, February 25, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.
Ms. Wertheimer seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
b) Action on the proposed Land Use Fee revisions
Ms. Knall made a motion to adopt the proposed Land Use Fee Revisions as set forth in the attached Town of Simsbury Public Hearing Notice - Land Use Fee Revisions. Ms. Heavner seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
c) Submission of First Selectman’s 2013-2014 Budget
No action taken
d) Authorize the Board of Selectmen to waive the provision for Board of Selectmen review and approval of plans to present Septemberfest
Mr. Askham made a motion to waive the provision for the Board of Selectmen review and approval of plans to present Septemberfest as set forth in Section C.1. of the Simsbury Performing Arts Center 2013 Season Management Contract with the proviso that Septemberfest will not lose money as determined by the Town of Simsbury’s Director of Finance/Treasurer. Ms. Wertheimer seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
e) Approve tax refunds
Ms. Haase made a motion to approve the tax refunds in the amount of $1,324.81 as presented and approved by the Tax Collector. Mr. Askham seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
f) Approve receipt of an OPM Police Video Equipment Technology (PVET) Grant award in the amount of $20,973.25 for the purpose of assisting local governments with purchasing the equipment necessary to conform to the Public Act 11-174 standards and authorize creation of a special revenue fund for receipt of award
Mr. Askham made a motion to accept receipt of an OPM Police Video Equipment Technology (PVET) Grant award in the amount of $20, 973.25 and approve the creation of a special revenue fund that will be used to receive and process the grant funds. The purposed of this grant is to assist local governments with purchasing the equipment necessary to conform to the Public Act 11-174 standards. Ms. Wertheimer seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
g) Approval of $25, 000 in fund to clean up Dewey Farm including deteriorated out-buildings and agricultural chemical/fertilizer products
Ms. Heavner made a motion to approve funds to clean up Dewey Farm (deteriorated out-buildings and agricultural chemical/fertilizer products). Ms. Wertheimer seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
h) Adopt the proposed Emergency Contingency Plan for Elections as submitted by the Democratic and Republican Registrars of Voters
Ms. Heavner made a motion to adopt the proposed Emergency Contingency Plan for Elections. Ms. Haase seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
I) Approve the recommendation of the Culture, Parks and Recreation Commission to approve a Field Use Policy, specifically including the establishment of a separate fund to allow dedicated field maintenance funds to be collected and disbursed by that Department
Mr. Askham made a motion to approve the recommendation of the Culture, Parks and Recreation Commission to approve the Field Use Policy. Specifically, the policy would include the establishment of a separate fund to allow dedicated field maintenance funds to be collected and disbursed by this Department. The Commission also asked that a multi-tiered field charge schedule be considered with separate rates for residents/non-residents and non-profit and profit making groups. Ms. Haase seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
j) Approve 2013 fee schedules for the Simsbury Farms Golf Course and Aquatic Facilities, as recommended by the Culture, Parks and Recreation Commission and Simsbury Farms Complex Committee
Mr. Askham made a motion to approve 2013 fee schedules for the Simsbury Farms Golf Course and Aquatic Facilities, as recommended by the Culture, Parks and Recreation Commission and Simsbury Farms Complex Committee. Ms. Knall seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
k) Approve the extension of the term of the non-exclusive license agreement for the use of the Stoddard Reservoir between the Town of Simsbury and the Simsbury Fish and Game Club, Inc. by four years from March 31, 2013 to March 31, 2017
Ms. Wertheimer made a motion to extend the term of the non-exclusive license agreement for the use of Stoddard Reservoir between the Town of Simsbury and the Simsbury Fish and Game Club, Inc. by four years from March 31, 2013 to March 31, 2017. Ms. Haase seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
l) Accept the donation of two items from the Simsbury home of Antoinette Eno Wood; and empire style pedestal base desk/dressing stand with mirror and a brass fireplace fender with seat to be placed on display in Eno Memorial Hall
Ms. Heavner made a motion to accept the donation of two items from the Simsbury home of Antoinette Eno Wood; an empire style pedestal base desk/dressing stand with mirror and a brass fireplace fender with seat to be placed on display at Eno Memorial Hall. Ms. Wertheimer seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
m) Accept the donation to the Paw Meadow Dog Park in the amount of $2,500 from Paine’s, Inc.
Ms. Wertheimer made a motion to accept the donation of $2,500 to the Paw Meadow Dog Park from Paine’s Inc. Mr. Askham seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
OTHER BUSINESS
a) Police Commission Chairman
Ms. Heavner made a motion to appoint Brendan M. Walsh to serve as Police Commission Chairman for this year. Ms. Wertheimer seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
a) Appointment of Technology Task Force - Update
Ms. Glassman said she would like to put a notice in the papers that we are trying to add volunteers to the Technology Task Force. This item will be placed on the agenda again to approve the Technology Task Force Committee.
Ms. Heavner said Pam Lacko said she will Chair the Technology Task Force Committee. They will look at our current website and ask the public what they would really like to see on there. Maybe seniors who wish to use the website can learn how to use it. There is also a long-term issue to be looked at as well and coordinate it with the Board of Education for possible cost-savings.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
a) Special Meeting of February 11, 2013
Mr. Askham made a motion to accept the Special Meeting Minutes of February 11, 2013 with corrections. Ms. Haase seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
SELECTMEN LIAISON AND SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. Personnel - no report at this time
2. Finance - no report at this time
3. Welfare - no report at this time
4. Public Safety - no report at this time
5. Board of Education - no report at this time
Ms. Knall said there will be a Tourism Committee Volunteer Expo held on April 25th from 6-8 p.m. at Eno Hall. There will also be a Jr. Women’s Club Forum on May 4th from 8:45 - 12; details to follow.
ADJOURN
Mr. Askham made a motion to adjourn at 8:40 p.m Ms. Haase seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary A. Glassman, First Selectman