Board of Selectmen Regular Meeting September 9, 2013

BOARD OF SELECTMEN REGULAR MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 9, 2013 - APPROVED

Mary Glassman, First Selectman called the Regular Meeting of the Board of Selectmen to order at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, September 9, 2013 in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices.  The following members were also present: Nancy Haase, Moira Wertheimer, Lisa Heavner, Shannon Knall and Sean Askham. Also present were Tom Cooke and other interested parties.
Pledge of Allegiance
Everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Audience
Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive expressed her interest in establishing a Town Manager and questioned the money spent on The Hartford land and building, Main Street Partnership, the Pension Fund and Big Y.  In addition, Ms. Coe stated her disapproval of manure dumping on the Meadow Triangle property.  Ms. Coe raised a question regarding a payment listed in the Town Attorney file.  She also stated her concern with a new substation that has been erected at Dorset Crossing.  In addition, Ms. Coe suggested upgrades to be made to the Town’s website content and functionality.
Robert Kalechman, 971 Hopmeadow Street, questioned the economics behind the agreements made with Tulmeadow Farm and Simsbury’s Golf Professional John Verrengia. He disagrees with the Town cutting the Police Department contract yet the Town agrees to a five-year contract for the Golf Professional.
Sue Bednarcyk, 119 Weatogue Street, commented on the second donation made by the estate of Miriam H. Nichols. Ms. Bednarcyk said that Miriam Nichols was a great person and loved the town.  Ms Bednarcyk also discussed the topic of Planning in regards to The Hartford Charrette.  She admires the work conducted by the former Town Planner of Farmington, Jeff Ollendorf, and recommends that the Town hires him as a consultant to work on The Hartford project.
Presentation
CONSTITUTION WEEK
Sean Askham read the following Proclamation:
WHEREAS, September 17, 2013, Constitution Day, marks the 226th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution of the United States of America, and;
WHEREAS, We the People did ordain and establish a Constitution for the United States of America to secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity; and
WHEREAS, it is important that all citizens fully understand the provisions, principles and meaning of the Constitution, so they can support, preserve and defend it against encroachment; and
WHEREAS, the President and the Congress of the United States have designated September 15th through 21st as Constitution Week; and
WHEREAS, Constitution Week provides the opportunity for all Americans to learn about and to reflect upon the rights and privileges of citizenship and its responsibilities; and
WHEREAS, the people of the Town of Simsbury do enjoy the blessings of liberty, the guarantees of the Bill of Rights, equal protection of the law under the Constitution, and the freedoms derived from it.
NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE KNOWN, I, Mary A. Glassman, First Selectman of the Town of Simsbury, do hereby proclaim September 15-21, 2013 as Constitution Week.
LEUKEMIA, LYMPHOMA & MYELOMA AWARENESS MONTH
Moira Wertheimer read the following Proclamation:
WHEREAS, blood cancers currently afflict more than 1,012,533 Americans with an estimated 140,310 new cases diagnosed each year, and
WHEREAS, leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma will kill an estimated 53,010 people in the United States this year, and
WHEREAS, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), through voluntary contributions, is dedicated to finding cures for these diseases through research efforts and the support for those that suffer from them, and
WHEREAS, LLS maintains an office in Wilton and Meriden to support patients with these diseases and their family members in the State of Connecticut, and
WHEREAS, the State of Connecticut is similarly committed to the eradication of these diseases and supports the treatment of its citizens that suffer from them, and
WHEREAS, the State of Connecticut encourages private efforts to enhance research funding and education programs that address these diseases,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Simsbury joins with LLS in designating the month of September 2013 as Leukemia, Lymphoma & Myeloma Awareness Month to enhance the understanding of blood related cancers and to encourage participation in voluntary activities to support education programs and the funding of research programs to find a cure for them.
NO TEXTING WHILE DRIVING DAY
Lisa Heavner read the following Proclamation:
WHEREAS texting has become the way many people communicate today, which means some people are doing it at the worst possible time - while driving; and
WHEREAS texting while driving is involved in over 100,000 motor vehicle crashes each year, often causing injuries and deaths; and
WHEREAS those who text while driving are 23 times more likely to be involved in some type of safety critical event as compared to those drivers who don't text while they drive; and
WHEREAS in 2009 AT&T launched the public awareness campaign “It Can Wait” to educate the public about the dangers of texting while driving by encouraging consumers to take the personal pledge not to text while driving; and
Be it further proclaimed that the members of the Board of Selectmen have taken the personal pledge to not text and drive, support efforts to raise public awareness about the dangers of texting while driving and encourage others to take the pledge not to text and drive.
Now, therefore be it proclaimed, that the Town of Simsbury designates September 19, 2013 as “No Texting While Driving Day” to focus attention on the dangers of texting while driving.
Mary Glassman said that the props to display in your vehicle can be picked up at the Social Services Office.
First Selectman’s Report
Mary Glassman reported that the Charrette process for The Hartford’s property at 200 Hopmeadow Street began Friday, September 5, 2013 with several hours of site assessments and stakeholder interviews and will be concluded on Tuesday, September 10, 2013.  Mary Glassman strongly urged people to attend the presentation on September 10th. 
Gateway Planning will continue to work with Town Staff and the Hartford Land Use Study Committee to put together recommendations for code development.
Mary Glassman thanked The Hartford, CBRE (the broker retained by The Hartford), Committee members and Town Staff for their work in a very intensive and comprehensive process.
Upcoming Events:
Mary Glassman announced the following events:
• Simsbury Women’s Club 44th annual Arts and crafts Festival on Saturday, September 14, 2013 and Sunday, September 15, 2013.  It will be held on Iron Horse Boulevard.
• Grange Agricultural Fair on Saturday, September 14 at Simsbury Grange Hall, 236 Farms Village Road from 1:00 am – 3:00 pm.
• The Simsbury Fly-In and Car Show will be held on Sunday, September 15 from 8:00- 3:00. The event will feature 650 airplanes and automobiles and expect to have 10,000 people in attendance.  Mary Glassman thanked the Simsbury Flying Club, Simsbury Chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association and the Porter and Chester Institute for putting the event together.
• Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation’s Share the Vision Fundraising Dog Walk and Family Fun Day will be held Sunday, September 29, 2013 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. This is Fidelco’s 32nd Annual Walk in Connecticut and the second year it is being hosted by the Town of Simsbury.  The event will take place at the Performing Arts Center and will feature music by “Little House”. Each dog costs $45,000 to raise and train and they are given to clients at no cost.  Sherrie Cook, a representative of Fidelco, was present and brought with her a puppy guide dog.
Selectman Actions
Approval of Tax Refunds
Sean Askham made a motion to approve tax refunds in the amount of $10,341.76.  The motion was seconded by Shannon Knall and was unanimously approved.
Acceptance of PAC Financials
Due to a death in the family, Bob Hensley requested that the Performance Art Center’s financials is postponed to the next meeting.
Moira Wertheimer moved to table the Performance Art Center’s financials.  The motion was seconded by Nancy Haase and was unanimously approved.
Approve Renewing the Personal Services Agreement with Golf Professional John Verrengia
Gerard Toner, Director of Culture, Parks and Recreations explained some of the details of the Town’s agreement with Golf Professional John Verrengia.  There is an increase in the term of the agreement from four years to five years. The golf cart lease has increased from four years to five years as well.  The total compensation for the lease of the golf cart fleet has increased from $43,890 to $46,800, which reflects the amount of property tax paid to the Town. The agreement has been reviewed and unanimously approved by the Culture, Parks and Recreation Commission on July 25, 2013.
Sean Askham made a motion to approve renewing the Personal Services Agreement with Golf Professional John Verrengia for a period of 5 years beginning February 1, 2014.  The motion was seconded by Lisa Heavner and was unanimously approved.
Approve a One Year Contract with Farmington Valley ARC (FAVARH)
Gerard Toner, Director of Culture, Parks and Recreations said that the Town has a great working relationship with FAVARH. They have been responsive with requests and run the pre-season training for the playground camp staff.  Shannon Knall also commented that the training and work that FAVARH does is very helpful.
Shannon Knall made a motion to approve a one year contract with the Farmington Valley ARC (FAVARH) to provide programs and services to Simsbury residents with special needs and support services to the department in adapting programs for individuals with special needs.  The motion was seconded by Nancy Haase and was unanimously approved.
Approve Request of the Board of Finance to Retain BlumShapiro
Moira Wertheimer made a motion to approve the scope of services and authorize funds required for BlumShapiro to review cash receipts and disbursement processes for Student Activities, Simsbury Farms, the Performing Arts Center and Building Permits. The cost of the additional work is $14,900.  The motion was seconded by Nancy Haase and was unanimously approved.
Additional Donation from the Estate of Miriam H. Nichols
Mary Glassman stated that this will be the second donation from the estate of Miriam H. Nichols.  The first donation for $55,000 was accepted by the Town on March 11, 2013. Mary Glassman mentioned that a lot of people will be benefiting from this generous donation.
Shannon Knall made a motion to approve the donation of $31,472.24 from the estate of Miriam H. Nichols to be used exclusively for the out-of-town Medical Dial-A-Ride Program. The motion was seconded by Lisa Heavner and was unanimously approved.
Special Revenue Fund
Mary Glassman explained that The Hartford donation will be given to the Town and then the Town will cut the checks to the consultants.
Sean Askham made a motion to approve the establishment of a Special Revenue fund account in order for the Town to receive funds from The Hartford in connection with an agreement in order pay for part of the consultant’s work for the charrette and form-based code work.  This is to facilitate the work on The Hartford Land Use Study.  Nancy Haase seconded the motion and was unanimously approved with the exception of Lisa Heavner who excused herself from the meeting as a result of a conflict.
Appointments and Resignations
Moira Wertheimer made a motion to appoint one new member, Dante Valentino, and reappoint existing members Peter Ingvertsen, Scott Sagan, Steve Patrina, Meredith Brockbank, Mickey Lecours-Beck, Gerard Toner, John Thibeault, Marilyn Rotondo and Rabbi Howard Herman to the Juvenile Review Board in accordance with the memorandum dated September 3, 2013.  This is in accordance with recommendations from the Director of Social Services. The motion was seconded by Nancy Haase and was unanimously approved.
Acceptance of Minutes
Sean Askham made a motion to approve the Public Hearing Meeting minutes from August 12, 2013 as presented. The motion was seconded by Moira Wertheimer and was unanimously approved.

Sean Askham also made a motion to approve the Regular Meeting minutes from August 12, 2013 as presented. The motion was seconded by Shannon Knall and was unanimously approved.

Selectmen Liaison and Sub-Committee Reports

Lisa Heavner announced that art work created by seniors will be on display at the Simsbury Library from September 3rd through September 30th in the Program Room during regular library hours. A reception with the artists and their instructor will be held September 23rd from 4:00 -6:00 pm in the Program room. For more information, contact the Senior Center at 860-658-3273. 

Sean Askham thanked all the Board members for volunteering their time at Septemberfest. The food vendors said there was a great turnout. All the members of the Performing Arts Center Board spent a lot of time and effort over many months to make the event successful.

Shannon Knall thanked the Aging and Disability Commission for their Annual Picnic in the Park. The event was well attended by the community and members of the Board.

Adjournment

Sean Askham made a motion to adjourn the September 9, 2013 Board of Selectmen meeting at 7:56PM. The motion was seconded by Nancy Haase and was unanimously approved. 

Respectfully Submitted, Mary A. Glassman, First Selectman