Board of Selectmen Regular Meeting October 28, 2013 - Approved
BOARD OF SELECTMEN REGULAR MEETING - OCTOBER 28, 2013 - APPROVED MINUTES
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 Mary Glassman; Board members Sean Askham, Shannon Knall, Lisa Heavner, Moira Wertheimer and Nancy Haase. Others in attendance included: Tom Cooke, Gerry Toner, Sarah Nielsen, Ferg Jensen, Dave Ryan, Bruce Elliott and other interested parties.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC AUDIENCE
Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive, said at the last Board meeting she asked who on the Board of Selectmen was interested in giving the residents a choice of government. No one raised their hands as they don’t seem interested in a Town Management form of government. She said the residents paid to have consultants review this situation and they did recommend a Town Management form of government for Simsbury. She feels the residents deserve a choice.
Ms. Coe said she feels all of the candidates need to tell the residents what all of their positions are on all Town issues. She once again asked the Board members what their positions are on the issue of a Town Manager form of government.
Ms. Coe spoke about “spirit week” at the High School and had the dispatch tape. She said police responded on October 18th as the senior staff was “out of control” and “going crazy”. There seemed to be a lot of students who had left the school and were very loud in the school. She said there was no action taken.
Ms. Coe asked for an update on the Big Y project as there didn’t seem to be any ground breaking to date. She asked if the traffic issue has been resolved.
Ms. Coe reminded everyone to take their votes seriously on November 5th as voting should not be a popularity contest. Residents should ask policy issues of every candidate before voting.
Robert Kalechman, Hopmeadow Street, spoke about the issues of the Tariffville Post Office. He said the property at the Simsbury Post Office, inside and out, is a disgrace and whoever owns it should be embarrassed by it as it is a disgrace of the US Government.
Mr. Kalechman asked about the PAC report and who was going to be answering all of the questions on the report. He said the Federal government is now involved in the auditing of the Performing Arts under 401-3c. He also spoke about the Talcott Mountain Music Festival and who controls the property grounds. He feels Simsbury owns the property and should manage the grounds.
Mr. Kalechman said he noticed an article in the Simsbury Patch that attacks a Board member. Tax dollars should not be used to attack a Board member as it should not be a political platform.
Sarah Nielsen, Executive Director of Main Street Partnership said the Board had a letter from Main Street and Emil Dahlquist, Chairman of the Design Committee, talking about the Senior Center Study. She wanted to remind the Board that Main Street and the Design Committee fully support the two-step process for expanding the Senior Center. This really does need a two-step approach with a great plan for the future needs.
PRESENTATION
! Simsbury Main Street Partnership - Simsbury Public Schools Marketing Report
Ms. Glassman thanked Main Street Partnership, the Economic Development Commission, and Kris Barnett who is a realtor, who all looked at marketing the Town including the schools.
Ms. Nielsen said Main Street Partnership got the Town designated as a Preserve America Community, which is a Federal designation. She said a grant was applied for through the National Park Service for $100,000, which would be matched with State grants and local money as well. They then came out with a branding campaign for Simsbury, which focuses on the unique qualities and aspects that Simsbury has to offer.
Ms. Nielsen gave the Board a brochure focusing on the excellence of Simsbury Schools and quality of life in Simsbury. These brochures can help Realtors sell properties in Town also. She thanked everyone who worked on this project and asked the Board for their input as well.
Ms. Glassman thanked everyone also and said the brochures would be very helpful to visitors and businesses as well.
Ms. Heavner said it is very unique to put this brochure out with all of this information and it is a very interesting approach.
! Announcement of Veteran’s Day Ceremony on November 11th, 10:45 a.m., Eno Memorial Hall
Ms. Glassman reminded everyone that there would be a Veteran’s Day Ceremony on Monday, November 11th at 10:45 a.m. at Eno Memorial Hall. She thanked the Veteran’s who are sponsoring this event.
Bruce Elliott, co-chair of the Planning Committee, invited everyone to come and enjoy the ceremony. It will take about 30 minutes. He said Nancy Fellinger will be playing the bagpipes and Mr. Kalechman will give us thoughts and comments on Veteran’s Day. This ceremony will remember all who have served and all that are now serving our country.
FIRST SELECTMAN’S REPORT
Ms. Glassman said Simsbury was awarded the Connecticut Magazine’s Top Ranking for towns with $225,000 - $299,999 median home sale prices. She said there were 41 towns in this category and Simsbury came in first.
Ms. Glassman said the towns were compared on the quality of public schools, crime rate, local economy, leisure and cultural activities and civic engagement and the magazine stated that “Simsbury, with the best public schools and second-highest voter turnout in the group, landed in the top spot, with Glastonbury and Granby - two other towns with excellent public schools - following in the top three.” This confirms that Simsbury is not just an incredible place to live but it is an incredible value as well.
Ms. Glassman reminded everyone that the Town will host a free town-wide Halloween celebration on Wednesday, October 30th from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Simsbury Library. Admission is free and festivities include a magic display, storytelling, trick-or-treating and more. There will also be a costume parade . Each child wearing a costume will receive a coupon for a free kid’s scoop of ice cream at J. Foster’s.
Ms. Glassman thanked Culture, Parks and Recreation staff, Simsbury Public Library Children’s Room and Simsbury Social Services staff for making this event possible. If you have questions, please contact Gerry Toner at 860-408-4682.
Ms. Glassman reminded everyone that Election Day is Tuesday, November 5th from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Henry James Memorial School, Latimer Lane School, Tootin’ Hills Schools and Tariffville School. If you are unsure of what location to go to please call 860-658-3267 or 860-658-3269 the office of the Registrar of Voters or go to their website at www.simsbury-ct.gov.
Ms. Glassman said new voters must appear in person at the Office of the Registrar of Voters by 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 29th to register. Their office is right in Town Hall.
Ms. Glassman said individuals who choose to participate in Connecticut’s Election Day Registration Program, new for this election, should appear in person at Simsbury Town Hall during voting hours on November 5th with a valid ID to register. This process should take about 30 minutes and the registration must be completed by 8 p.m. in order to cast a ballot.
SELECTMEN ACTION
a) Approve Tax refunds
Mr. Askham made a motion to approve tax refunds in the amount of $4,967.65 as requested and approved by the Tax Collector. Ms. Wertheimer seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
b) “Try Athalon 2014" request for Special Revenue Fund for Parks and Recreation
Mr. Askham made a motion to create a special revenue fund for the purpose of collecting money and making payments related to the planned “Try Simsbury: Run, Bike, Paddle.. River to Ridge Athalon” on May 18, 2014 . Ms. Haase seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
c) Set a Public Hearing for the Blight Ordinance changes
Ms. Heavner made a motion to set a public hearing date of November 13, 2013 to hear testimony on the revision to Section 123-7 of the Simsbury Code of Ordinances, and subsequently to adopt the revisions to Section 123-7 as proposed by the Town Attorney. Ms. Haase seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
d) Set a Public Hearing as required by the Naming Rights Policy on the request of the Zoning Commission to rename Mall Way as Jim Gallagher Way
Ms. Heavner made a motion set a public hearing date of November 13, 2013 as required by the Naming Rights Policy to rename Mall Way to Jim Gallagher Way. Ms. Knall seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
e) Approval of Simsbury Grant Application for Regional Performance Grants
Mr. Askham made a motion:
Resolution Authorizing the Town of Simsbury to
Participate in OPM Regional Performance Incentive Program
WHEREAS, Section 4-124s as amended by Section 251 and 253 of Public Act 13-247 passed by the Connecticut General Assembly provides statewide incentive grants to regional planning organizations for project that involve shared services; and
WHEREAS, the Capitol Region Council of Governments is acting as a convener and facilitator of service sharing projects around the CRCOG region; and
WHEREAS, on October 23, 2013 the Policy Board of CRCOG passed a resolution authorizing development and submittal of an application package to the State Office of Policy and Management for funding under the Regional Performance Incentive Grant Program, on behalf of the Council’s member municipalities, and municipalities of other regions, which are participating in Council initiatives; and
WHEREAS, the Chief Elected Officials and municipal staff of the Capitol Region have developed a list of service sharing projects proposals that will be included in this application package, to the benefit of individual municipalities and the region as a whole; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Simsbury has expressed an interest in taking part in the project proposal(s) entitled
1. Regional Nutmeg Network Connections
2. Regional Data / Disaster Recovery Center
3. Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory
4. Human Resources On-line Clearinghouse and Templates
NOW, Therefore Be it Resolved that the Town of Simsbury Board of Selectmen does hereby endorse the above referenced Regional Performance Incentive Program project proposal and authorizes the First Selectman to sign all necessary agreements and take all necessary actions to allow for the Town’s participation in this program.
Ms. Haase seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
f) Review of and approval of Performing Arts Center financial results for 2013 Season and discussion of status of 2014 Season
Ms. Haase made a motion to accept the Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center financial report for 2013, as approved by the PAC Board at their October 23rd meeting. Mr. Askham seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
g) Approval of negotiated two year contract with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra for the Talcott Mountain Musical Festival
Mr. Askham made a motion to approve the proposed terms of a revised two-year contract with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra for the Talcott Mountain Music Festival. Ms. Knall seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
h) Approve the Zoning Commission recommendation for a refund of fees for various land use applications at the Red Stone Pub
Ms. Haase made a motion to apply the $160 fee that was paid for the first application to be applied to the next application for the new sign. After discussion, Ms. Haase removed her motion.
Mr. Askham made a motion to approve the waiving the $160 fee for the new sign. Ms. Haase seconded the motion. Mr. Askham and Ms. Wertheimer were in favor of the motion and Ms. Glassman, Ms. Heavner, Ms. Knall and Ms. Haase abstained. Therefore, the motion didn’t pass.
After further discussion, Ms. Knall made a motion to table this discussion until further information is received. Ms. Heavner seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business at this time.
APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
a) Accept the resignation of James W. Oliver as an alternate member of the Historic District Commission effective October 21, 2013
Mr. Askham made a motion to accept the resignation of James W. Oliver as an alternate member of the Historic District Commission effective October 21, 2013. Ms. Knall seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
a) Regular Meeting Minutes October 16, 2013
Mr. Askham made a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting on October 16, 2013 with two corrections on page 2. Ms. Haase seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
SELECTMEN LIAISON AND SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. Personnel - approval of revised Job Description for the Library
Ms. Haase made a motion to accept the recommendations of the Personnel Sub-Committee on a revised job description for the Library. Mr. Askham seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
Ms. Heavner said the Personnel Sub-Committee agenda included discussion on a RFP for a consultant. However, after some discussion, they decided to table this as the interviews will carry into the new board members for the new year.
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 - Ms. Heavner said there was a senior sports event held on October 24th and there was a great turn-out. She thanked everyone for their help.
Ms. Heavner said there was a great time had by all at the Tariffville parade.
Ms. Heavner made a motion to amend the agenda to give an update on the Aquarion rate increase issue. Mr. Askham seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
ADJOURN
Ms. Haase made a motion to adjourn at 8:25 p.m.. Ms. Knall seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
Ms. Wertheimer and Ms. Glassman recused themselves.
Ms. Heavner gave the Board an update on the Aquarion increase and said the Board had asked for a clarification on the rate increase. They did receive a letter which showed a different increase than was first reported. The new increase is 17.2%. Ms. Heavner would like the Board to discuss their options.
Ms. Haase would like to know what other Towns are doing and what the impact would be for them as well. Mr. Cooke said he is not sure that the Town has an option to involve other Towns.
Mr. Askham would like to check the options with the Town Attorney.
Mr. Askham made a motion to adjourn at 8:35 p.m. Ms. Haase seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary A. Glassman, First Selectman