Board of Selectmen Special Meeting February 17, 2015
TOWN OF SIMSBURY – BOARD OF SELECTMEN "Subject to Approval"
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES – FEBRUARY 17, 2015
CALL TO ORDER
The Special Meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order at 6:00PM in the Auditorium of Eno Memorial Hall, 754 Hopmeadow Street. Present were: First Selectman Lisa Heavner and Board members Nancy Haase, Cheryl Cook, Christopher Kelly, Michael Paine and Sean Askham. Also in attendance were Thomas Cooke, Director of Administrative Services, Hiram Peck, Director of Community Planning, Jeff Shea, Town Engineer, and other interested parties.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance
PUBLIC AUDIENCE
• To receive comment on proposals to construct a new Senior Center, expand Eno Memorial hall or consider other options
Ms. Heavner discussed why this meeting was taking place and the two sites that are being considered for the Senior Center in Simsbury.
Mr. Shea gave a short presentation on the Senior Center status and the next steps. The presentation included:
• Senior Center Current Status o Usage Data
o Current Programming
o Current Challenges
o Senior Center Staff Essential Needs
• Comparative Analysis
Mr. Thomas Arcari, Quisenberry – Arcari Architects, explained the program analysis. His presentation included:
• Program and Needs Assessment
o "Needs" Included in the Proposed Program
o "Wants" not Included in the Proposed Program
• Plans – Scheme 3 – Site Plan
• New Building – DOT Site
Mr. Shea discussed these additional slides:
• Revised Cost Projections
• Borrowing Costs for Taxpayers
Ms. Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive, stated her thoughts on finding a new home for SCTV and does not agree on spending money on a new facility for a Senior Center.
Mr. Ferg Jenson, 3 Fox Den, voiced his opinion that a Community Center would be better option than a Senior Center. He noted that he would like to see this near the activity in the center of Town.
Mr. Robert Kalechman, 971 Hopmeadow Street, stated his concern of how long it is taking to complete the study for the Senior Center. He also noted that the Seniors would have a difficult time driving to a Senior Center at night if it was located away from the center of Town.
Ms. Elinor Hoffman, 49 West Point Terrace, represented the Women’s Club and stated her concern of not being able to use the DOT parking lot for their arts and crafts event.
Mr. Mark Orenstein, 82 Old Meadow Plain Road, noted his concern for safe parking in the parking platform for the Seniors. He discussed what he believes would be a good Senior Center for the Town.
Mr. John Schaefer, 16 Lost Brook Road, believes that a third party should be involved in planning the Senior Center and the activities in the Senior Center should be the true needs of Seniors and not just wants. Mr. Schaefer also discussed the proposed location on Iron Horse Boulevard.
Ms. Judy Schaefer, 16 Lost Brook Road, stated her concern of a multi-purpose room with so many classes that need to be held at the Senior Center.
Mr. Donald Zaylor, 1 West Street, stated that he thought Eno Hall would be a perfect place for the Senior Center but discussed problem with the parking.
Mr. David Bear, 82 Great Pond Road, discussed the daily usage of the Senior Center and questioned how the Town got this far without a vote from residents.
Mr. Nord Christensen, 35 W. Mountain Road, believes that the renovation of Eno Hall would create more jobs than new construction. He discussed his concern for the historic preservation of Eno Hall and would like to see the Senior Center stay at Eno.
Mr. Vic Bible, 15 Alder Road, noted that Eno Hall is not handicap accessible. He stated that a Historic building has to allow the changes to the building.
Ms. Manju Rao, 22 Evergreen Drive, voiced her concern on a tax increase to residents for a new Senior Center. She also would like to be able to walk to other places from the Center and would like see it stay at Eno Hall.
Ms. Edna Schreindorfen, 9 Westwood Drive, stated that Eno Hall is not safe for Seniors and noted that there are too many stairs. She would like to see a new Senior Center built.
Ms. Lucille Burke, 247 W. Mountain Road, voiced her concern on the poor parking and that there are not enough spaces to accommodate the seniors. She also discussed her concern with a new parking deck.
Mr. Arcari discussed the safety of the parking deck.
Ms. Pat Carpen, 244 Wooster Road, questioned why the Town is not moving forward with the Senior Center and the discussions continue. She questioned if it was ever considered moving the Senior Center to the north end of Town.
Mr. Bud Kelly, 1 West Street, discussed his background with the planning of a new Senior Center and some of the history of Simsbury that makes it such a beautiful place to reside.
Ms. Marybeth Schreindorfen, 9 Westwood Drive, stated that there is not enough space in Eno Hall to accommodate all the seniors in Town with all the programs that are held. She believes that it would cost more to renovate Eno Hall than to build a new building.
Mr. Ed LaMontagne, 4 George Street, stated that he is not in favor of spending money for a parking lot. He discussed what he thought could be done for a new Senior Center including changes to Eno Hall.
Mr. Robert Kalechman, 971 Hopmeadow Street, stated that he would like to see this decision turned over to the residents for a vote. He also discussed the parking issue.
Mr. Mark Orenstein, 82 Old Meadow Plain Road, voiced his concern on the safety in the parking lot and changes that need to take place to make it safer.
Mr. Donald Zaylor, 1 West Street, discussed the location on Bushy Hill Road as an option that was voted on earlier in the year for a new Senior Center. He noted that this would cost less than renovating Eno Hall.
Mr. David Bear, 82 Great Pond Road, stated that he would just like to move forward with this decision and agreed it should be put to a public vote.
Mr. John Schaefer, 16 Lostbrook Road, wanted to know if the slides presented at the meeting will be available on the Town website.
Ms. Heavner stated that they will by clicking on "Public Building, Senior Center".
Mr. Mark Orenstein, 82 Old Meadow Plain Road, suggested additional available sites for a new Senior Center that have not yet been considered.
Mr. Donald Zaylor, 1 West Street, discussed the lost revenue if the DOT parking lot is taken away from the Town and used as a Senior Center.
Ms. Pat Carpen, 24 Wooster Road, noted that the seniors have been helping pay for things in Town and it is time for the younger residents to help out the seniors in Simsbury.
Mr. Robert Kalechman, 971 Hopmeadow Street, again stressed bringing this decision to a public vote.
Mr. Hiram Peck, Director of Community Planning, discussed the financial impact of the plans to develop the Senior Center at the DOT parking lot and the potential conflict with zoning regulations.
Mr. Jeff Shea, Town Engineer, addressed some of the questions raised for the DOT site for a new Senior Center.
Mr. Richard Sawitzke discussed the study done on the Senior Center as well as what needs to still be done.
Mr. Arcari noted the amount of time put into this study and that it is based on need not budget.
Board of Selectmen members asked staff members and Mr. Arcari various questions regarding the plans/layout for the new Senior Center.
Mr. Donald Zaylor, 1 West Street, asked about the current windows at Eno Hall and what the plans for them would be for the renovation.
Mr. Arcari explained what is planned for the windows at Eno hall.
Ms. Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive, questioned if SCTV was asked to move and what would the cost be to move them.
Mr. Arcari discussed the potential move of SCTV and the cost.
Additional questions were asked by Board members concerning the parking deck, circular driveway, Station Street becoming two-way and the parking lot.
Ms. Lucille Burke, 247 W. Mountain Road, asked if the Senior Center was renovated, would it stay open during construction.
Mr. Arcari stated there would be limited use and some areas will be temporary closed. He also stated that the project could take about a year or more to complete.
Ms. Pat Carpen, 24 Wooster Road, questioned if the construction workers will take up the parking spaces behind Eno Hall during construction.
Mr. Arcari stated that they may be able to get access to the DOT parking lot for the construction workers.
Board members asked additional questions to staff members on the bidding process, parking deck, Grants to help pay for the project and construction costs.
Mr. John Schaefer, 16 Lost Brook Road, asked about the proposed reduced square footage for Eno Hall and asked what is planned if more room is needed in the future.
Mr. Arcari discussed the proposed space for current and future needs at Eno Hall.
Mr. Ed LaMontagne, 4 George Street, noted that the Eno Hall is not handicap accessible and asked if this was included in the cost of the renovation.
Mr. Arcari noted that it would not be possible to make Eno Hall 100% handicap accessible and discussed some of the changes that could be made.
Ms. Mickey Lecours-Beck stated that she is happy with the proposed square footage of the Senior Center in Eno Hall after renovation.
SELECTMEN ACTION
a) Possible Action on Senior Center
Ms. Heavner suggested putting their decision on their next meeting’s agenda. She noted that she will need a number for next year’s budget. Ms. Heavner stated that if anyone has any other sites they would like to be considered for the Senior Center to let her know.
Board members discussed their opinions of the two proposed sites planned for the Senior Center with staff members and Mr. Arcari.
ADJOURN
Ms. Askham made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Haase seconded the motion and the motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 9:28 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Leslie Brigham