First Selectman's Report - May 23, 2016
Budget Update
On Tuesday, June 7th, you will have the opportunity to vote on the 2016-17 Town and Education budgets and four capital projects. Voting will take place at Henry James Memorial School located at 155 Firetown Road from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thank you for participating in this important process.
Town of Simsbury Receives an Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Grant
I am pleased to announce that Simsbury has received up to $10,000 in grant funds under Connecticut’s Public Fleet EV and Public Workplace EV Charging Station Incentive Program. These funds will be used to purchase and install one dual head charging station at Town Hall, 933 Hopmeadow Street. Thank you and congratulations to Director of Public Works Tom Roy and Simsbury’s Clean Energy Task Force for this successful initiative.
Thank You to the Many Volunteers for Bike Month, the Duck Race and the Try Simsbury Triathlon
It has been a busy and fun month in Simsbury and we are truly a better community because of the efforts of so many volunteers who have organized events for all. Congratulations and thanks to those volunteers who made Bike Month, the Duck Race and Try Simsbury such successes!
Simsbury Memorial Day Parades
Simsbury’s Memorial Day Parade will be held on Monday, May 30. Please join us for the parade and the ceremonies that follow. Coordinators are inviting Veterans to participate in the parades being held in Tariffville and Simsbury. The Tariffville parade begins at 9:00 a.m. at the foot of Winthrop Street and concludes at St. Bernard Cemetery. The Simsbury Parade begins at 1:30 p.m. at Owen Brook by Simsbury Bank and concludes at Eno Memorial Hall. Veterans needing rides during the parades should contact Mike Bolduc (860) 651-8905; John Fox (860) 658-0388 or Bob Gauthier (860) 658-2071. Thank you to our Veterans for their service and the many volunteers who give of their time to organize these parades.
Simsbury and the History of Land Conservation
Join the Simsbury Library for this kickoff event for the series, “Simsbury and the History of Land Conservation.” On Saturday, June 4th Alan Lahue, former Director and current volunteer at the Simsbury Historical Society, will highlight the life of Simsbury’s George P. McLean, emphasizing his contribution to local and national land conservation and the protection of wild birds. A hike through the McLean Game Refuge will immediately follow the lecture.
On Saturday, June 11th please join in for the second installment that starts with a visit from Teddy Roosevelt re-enactor James Foote who will relive our 26th President’s accomplishments, including conservation, and reminisce about his friend Gifford Pinchot, the first Chief of the US Forest Service. There will be a short talk on Gifford Pinchot by Eric Hammerling, Director of the Connecticut Forest and Park Association. A complimentary meal provided at Metro Bis will follow Eric’s talk.
All events are free, but some are limited and all require separate registration at the Simsbury Library website: http://www.simsburylibrary.info/
This series of programs is made possible by a generous grant from the CT Humanities.
Simsbury Public Library “Seed Library”
As you begin your garden this year, make sure to stop by the Simsbury Public Library and pick up seeds – free with your library card. You’ll find a wide range of flowers, vegetables and herbs in the new Seed Library. Thank you to Susan Ray and Lisa Karim for bringing this new library. The Seed Library has been established through the generous support of a number of seed companies including Select Seeds, Co. right here in Connecticut and we are grateful to all of them for their support.
Renter’s Rebate Program
Simsbury’s Social Services Department is now accepting applications for the Renter’s Rebate Program. The Program application period runs through October 1, 2016. Applicants must be 65 years of age or older, or be totally disabled. Maximum gross income for a couple is $42,900 and for an individual is $35,000. Applicants will need to provide financial information to qualify.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call (860) 658-3283.
Five Fridays of Fun with the Talcott Mountain Music Festival
The schedule is out for the Talcott Mountain Music Festival at the Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center!
- Friday, July 1 @ 7:30 p.m. Celebrate America!
- Friday, July 8 @ 7:30 p.m. Starlets
- Friday, July 15 @ 7:30 p.m. Appalachian Spring
- Friday, July 22 @ 7:30 A Tribute to Ray Charles
- Friday, July 29 @ 7:30 p.m. Faithfully
You can order tickets by phone at (860) 987-5900, on the web at hartfordsymphony.org and click on “Buy Tickets” or pick them up on site at Simsbury Meadows or at Fitzgerald’s.
Under Construction in Simsbury
Simsbury’s Planning Department has been advised that the Silverman Group continues to press forward on their plans to develop/redevelop the site located at 200 Hopmeadow Street (formerly The Hartford). The property underwent a Charrette planning process and is currently zoned for residential, commercial and retail. The Silverman Group is close to completing the demolition of the data wing located on the northern portion of property and will be moving south with the intent to complete structural demolition by the end of July.