Board of Selectmen Regular Meeting April 27 2015

TOWN OF SIMSBURY – BOARD OF SELECTMEN        "Subject to Approval"
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES – APRIL 27, 2015

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 Lisa Heavner; Board members Sean Askham, Cheryl Cook, Nancy Haase, Christopher Kelly and Michael Paine. Also in attendance were: Sean Kimball, Deputy Director of Administrative Services, Thomas Roy, Director of Public Works, Jeff Shea, Town Engineer, Gerry Toner, Director of Culture, Parks and Recreation and other interested parties.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Ms. Heavner introduced Eagle Scout Jack Mundt, who led the Pledge of Allegiance

PUBLIC AUDIENCE

Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive, noted the positive feedback she has received on her campaign for First Selectman and also stated what she would do if elected. Ms. Coe voiced her displeasure on the money being spent for a new Senior Center in Town. Ms. Coe stated her concern over other items in Town which included the high rent being paid at Eno Farms; terminated employee having access to keys to public buildings; workshop for choral students at Simsbury High School being promoted by Mr. Cooke; cost of the Ethel Walker property purchased by the Town and the closing of Eversource in Simsbury.

Mr. Robert Kalechman, 971 Hopmeadow Street, urged Town residents to vote no on the budget in May. He believes that there are many improvements needed in Town that are not being done. Mr. Kalechman discussed contributions made to various organizations in Town and questioned why the Town cannot donate to the Veterans monument in Simsbury. He also questioned the salary increases for Department heads in Simsbury.

Mr. Nicholas Mason, 6 Erins Ways, Chamber Liaison, discussed events that are coming up. Events included: Good Morning Simsbury on April 28 at Belden Forest Court; After hours, 5:30 to 7:30 hosted by Robert Hensley & Associates on May 14th; the Chamber’s Health and Wellness Task Force Bike to Work Day is May 15th; participation by the Chamber with a team for the Relay for Life in Farmington on May 16th and reminded Board members and public of the Chamber’s Annual Meeting to be held on May 28th from 11:30 to 1:30 at Hopmeadow Country Club. Mr. Mason also reminded residents to vote on Tuesday, May 5th on the referendum.

PRESENTATIONS

Mr. Askham made a motion to amend the agenda to include a presentation by the Simsbury Free Bike group for bike month in May. The motion was seconded by Mr. Kelly. All were in favor and the motion passed.

Ms. Patty Jacobus and Diana Moody, Simsbury Free Bike, discussed their calendar for bike month in May. They want to encourage new bikers and children to return to biking. Ms. Jacobus also noted they are also working on safety and etiquette on the trails. She also discussed the challenge to Mayors and First Selectmen to start working on their communities to make it safer for bikers and walkers.

Ms. Moody wanted residents to know that Simsbury was awarded the Silver Recognition this year and is the only town to receive this in Connecticut. The celebration will be held at the Red Stone Pub to celebrate this award. She reminded everyone that the Bike to Work day will be May 15th. Ms. Moody discussed the National Day that celebrates Women on bicycles all around the world with the Cyclofemme Ride that will take place on May 9th.

Ms. Debbie Thibault asked residents to join the National bike challenge. She noted that participants can sign up on-line at www.nationalbikechallenge.org or at www.simsbury.bike for additional information.

Ms. Heavner noted that Simsbury Free Bike is organized by volunteers and thanked them for their service.

Ms. Heavner asked the Board members and public for a moment of silence for the passing of a former member of the Board of Selectmen Jackson French Eno.

FIRST SELECTMAN’S REPORT

Ms. Heavner asked residents to join them on May 29th for a bike ride. She thanked everyone for their efforts in making Simsbury’s first Innovation Fair a tremendous success as well as the Triple Crown Kayak competition. Ms. Heavner also noted that nominations for the Aquarian Environment Champion awards are due May 6th.

Ms. Heaver noted that the Memorial Day parades will be held on May 25th and a celebration at Eno Memorial Hall will be held after the parade.

Ms. Heavner stated that she and Mr. Hampton testified before the public utilities regulatory authority in opposition of the closing of Eversource in Simsbury.

SELECTMEN ACTION

a) Approve Tax Refunds

Ms. Askham made a motion to approve tax refunds in the amount of $121.25. Ms. Haase seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

b) Approve Proposed Eagle Scout Project

Jack Mundt presented his project to the Board of Selectmen members. His project was construction of a visible entranceway and related signage to the bike trail from West Mountain Road to Town Forest and cleanup of the entrance on Bushy Hill Road.

Ms. Haase made a motion to approve the proposed Eagle Scout project by Jack Mundt. Ms. Cook seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

c) Approve Resolution authorizing the First Selectman to sign Open Space Grant ($500,000) Documents for Release of Funds

Ms. Cooke made a motion to approve a resolution authorizing the First Selectman to sign Open Space Grant ($500,000) and documents for the release of funds.

Ms. Cook read into the record:

RESOLVED, that LISA L. HEAVNER, FIRST SELECTMAN, of SIMSBURY be and hereby is authorized to execute on behalf of the TOWN OF SIMSBURY a Grant Agreement and a Conservation and Public Recreation Easement and Agreement under the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Program with the State of Connecticut for financial assistance to acquire permanent interest in land known as Ethel Walker School Parcel C, OSWA-442 and to manage said land as open space pursuant to Section 7-131d of the Connecticut General Statutes.

Mr. Paine seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

Mr. Askham noted that the Conservation Easement states that no building, residential dwelling structure, parking lot, driveway, road or other temporary structure is allowed. Ms. Heavner noted that the Town is required to erect a permanent plaque or sign within six months.

Ms. Haase made a motion to amend the agenda to consider a motion for waiver of the Special Exception fee for the Flower Bridge Burgers on the Bridge event. Mr. Kelly seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

Ms. Heavner noted that she received a request from Mr. Fergerson requesting a waiver for the Special Exception fee of $290 payable to the Town of Simsbury for Burgers on the Bridge Event to be held from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. on June 10 (rain date June 11th).

Mr. Kelly made a motion to approve the waiver of the Special Exception fee of $290 payable to the Town of Simsbury for Burgers on the Bridge event to be held from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. on June 10 (rain date June 11th). Mr. Paine seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

OTHER BUSINESS

a) Update on Senior Community Center Project

Mr. Kimball updated Board of Selectmen members and noted that they have been meeting weekly on this project. He noted that they have selected Great Blue research to do the survey in Simsbury which will take place the two last weeks in May. Mr. Kimball also noted that there will be a community forum for members of the public, boards and commissions to speak on other things they would like to be considered in the survey on May 11th from 5:00 to 6:00. Mr. Kimball also noted that the suggestions may also be submitted to the First Selectman’s office for consideration.

Ms. Heavner thanked the Town staff for all their work on this project to date.

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

a) Appoint Kristen C. Barnett (R) as a regular member of the Economic Development Task Force with an expiration date of December 7, 2015

Mr. Askham made a motion to appoint Kristen C. Barnett (R) as a regular member of the Economic Development Task Force with an expiration date of December 7, 2015. Ms. Cook seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

b) Accept the Resignation of Carol Bingham (R) as a regular member of the Zoning Board of Appeals effective February 25, 2015

Ms. Cook made a motion to accept the Resignation of Carol Bingham (R) as a regular member of the Zoning Board of Appeals effective February 25, 2015. Ms. Haase seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

c) Accept the Resignation of Eric R. Strayer (U) as a regular member of the Economic Development Task Force effective April 21, 2015

Ms. Haase made a motion to accept the Resignation of Eric R. Strayer (U) as a regular member of the Economic Development Task Force effective April 21, 2015. Mr. Askham seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES

a) Regular Meeting of April 13, 2015

No action was taken and therefore the minutes were adopted.

SELECTMEN LIAISON AND SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS

1. Personnel –Mr. Kelly confirmed that the sub-committee met this evening and continue to look at potential areas that would be incorporated into a charge for a charter revision commission.
2. Finance – Ms. Heavner noted that the meeting for the first Finance committee will be held in June and they will begin discussing Capital projects.
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. Haase stated that the Economic Development Task Force met last week and a couple of items that will be brought before the Board for the May 11th meeting will be tax abatement and infrastructure and a contract with Main Street Partnership to undertake the work for materials.

Ms. Cook discussed the Aging and Disability meeting held last week and stated that the Picnic in the Park will be held on August 22nd for Autism Awareness month activities. She noted that this will focus much more on families in Simsbury.

Mr. Askham noted that the Rotary club did a great job on the River Run 5K and 10K race on Iron Horse Boulevard.

ADJOURN

Mr. Askham made a motion to adjourn at 7:45 p.m. Mr. Paine seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

Respectfully submitted,

Leslie Brigham
Clerk