Board of Selectmen Regular Meeting - Approved

BOARD OF SELECTMEN REGULAR MEETING - MAY 13, 2013 - APPROVED

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 and other interested parties.

PUBLIC HEARING

To receive public comment concerning the proposed approval by the Board of Selectmen of the program application of the Simsbury ABC Program, Inc. for benefits under the Neighborhood Assistance Act (NAA) as set forth in Form NAA-01, Connecticut Neighborhood Assistance Act (NAA) Program Proposal

Robert Kalechman, 971 Hopmeadow Street, said he doesn’t feel that local people should be involved with organizations like ABC or any other organizations. They should be handled by the State of by the individual who thought up the idea. Sponsoring organizations like this shouldn’t fall on the taxpayers.

Linda Schofield, board member of the ABC Program, said there is no cost to the Town or taxpayers. This is a State program and the Board only needs to approve the application for the program and do paperwork for the program. She said there are no politics involved, it’s just supporting of a 40-year old program.

Ms. Schofield said the programs gives minority boys who come from disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to get a greater education in Simsbury. They give back with a better diversity of race and experience. They are a great group of boys and at the 40th anniversary of this programs, some of the boys came back. They are successful men who have gone on to live productive lives.

After no further comments, Mr. Askham made a motion to close the Public Hearing at 7:15 p.m. after no further public comment. Ms. Haase seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

PUBLIC AUDIENCE

Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive, spoke about the Board of Education operating budget meeting tomorrow. This does not include capital expenditures as the Charter revision gave those voting rights up. The Town Meeting was eliminated. She feels this budget should be rejected.

Ms. Coe asked the residents to voice that they want term limits on all elected officials. She asked that everyone vote down the budget and asked that individual lines items be voted on.

Ms. Coe said there was a gathering on Town land at the Bike sculpture to dedicate a plaque. She doesn’t think there were any permits or site plans or Board approvals on this land. There was a plaque of all the donors to this sculpture. She wants to know how much Town employee time was spent on this Bike Committee and wants to know if the employees got paid from the Bike Committee.

Ms. Coe said there were no fee increases at the Simsbury Farms golf course. They lose money every year and there was an ad about reduced costs and discounts at the golf course. She wants to know who approved this.

Ms. Coe said there is a lot of garbage at the paddle courts; bottles of beer, etc. and she wants to know who gets the money when this is recycled.

Ms. Coe said she was shocked when she heard that the Performing Arts Council and the Board of Selectmen approved the Flaming Lips Concert. This is not the type of concert Simsbury wants here. This concert is not appropriate and she wants Mr. Hensley to be removed from the Performing Arts Center Board due to his comments on this concert. She said the concert was finally cancelled.

Mr. Coe spoke once again about the issues Latimer Lane School. There are a lot of issues that need to be addressed there.

Mr. Kalechman said the bike group started their fund raiser with Steve Mitchell. When they started raising the money they didn’t go to the Consumer Protection Department Charity Division. Therefore, they were collecting the money without a permit. This should have been looked into further.

Mr. Kalechman, spoke about an e-mail he read and a $90,000 budget item. He thought the bike group was expecting the taxpayers to handle the upkeep the of bike path. The Board needs to stop putting the burden of all of these projects on to the taxpayer. It really isn’t fair.

Mr. Kalechman spoke about The Greenway that is coming. He feels the taxpayers will have to pay for that too.

Mr. Kalechman said he mentioned something about the Donovan mess and their aids being “caught with their hands in the cookie jar”. He said it is the obligation of an elected official that these issues be reported to the residents.

PRESENTATIONS

• Town of Simsbury Budget Referendum vote - Tuesday, May 14, 2013 from 6:00 a.m. to 8 :00 p.m.

Ms. Glassman reminded everyone that the Town of Simsbury Budget Referendum vote will be held Tuesday, May 14, 2013 from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Henry James Memorial School. She said all information is available on www.simsbury-ct.gov. She urged everyone to get out and vote.

• Memorial Day Parade - 9:00 a.m. in Tariffville and 1:30 p.m. in Simsbury

Ms. Glassman reminded everyone that the Memorial Day Parade will start in Tariffville
at 9:00 a.m.. She said the Parade will start in Simsbury at 1:30 p.m.. Ms. Glassman
thanked all of our Veterans; those who have served the country, those who continue to serve, and those who have lost their lives serving our country.

• Memorial Day Parade Wounded Warrior Bake Sale

Ms. Glassman introduced Hailey Latorre, who has addressed the Board three years in a
row about honoring the Veterans in a special way. Hailey said she this is the third annual Wounded Warriors Project Bake Sale.

• 2013 Employee Awards

Ms. Glassman acknowledged all of the Town’s employees. Employees who have been working for the Town 5 years, 10 years, 15 years, 20 years, 25 years and even one employee who has worked here for 30 years had a celebration. She said the Town is very fortunate to have such dedicated and hard-working employees. She wished them all good luck and success.

FIRST SELECTMAN’S REPORT

Ms. Glassman thanked all of the Town volunteers who give back to the community in their own special ways. She said this year’s Hometown Heroes are:

Sally & Don Rieger who have led the charge to protect the Farmington River by seeking special protection for it from the Federal Government and by standing up to proposals to divert this important resource.

Marion & Robert Gilmore who have made it their business to care for the homebound by delivering library books and meals. They are also active with First Church and have always been generous with time and treasure.

Max Horton volunteers for computer tutoring at the Senior Center. He is also a certified IRS tax preparer for senior residents, participates in the Meals on Wheels program, Library Books to Your Door Committee, and YMCA Adult Literacy Program.

Susan Masino has been a leader in the Ethel Walker “Keep the Woods” effort, Safe Routes to School Program and she is also a leader in revitalizing the Grange for today’s youth.

Jane Stevenson volunteers for the Simsbury Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, the McLean Auxiliary, the Girl Scouts, St. Mary’s Church and the PTA.

Ms. Glassman would like everyone to join the Board of Selectmen on May 29, 2013 for the ceremony to celebrate these wonderful Simsbury residents/volunteers.

Ms. Glassman said the Chamber of Commerce has announced its annual service awards, which will be presented on Thursday, May 16, 2013. Award recipients include former State Representative Linda Schofield as Public Servant of the Year; Ronald Perreault, Principal of Tootin’ Hills Elementary School as Educator of the Year; and P. Anthony “Tony” Giorgio as Business Leader of the Year.

Ms. Glassman thanked the Chamber for all that they do, including these important recognitions. She also thanked these people for their service and congratulated them for this well-deserved honor.

SELECTMEN ACTION

a) Approve ABC Program application

Ms. Heavner made a motion to approve the application of the ABC House to be designated a qualified recipient under the Neighborhood Assistance Act. Ms. Haase seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

b) Approve Tax Refunds

Ms. Wertheimer made a motion to approve tax refunds in the amount of $2,273.50 as requested and approved by the Tax Collector. Mr. Askham seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

c) Approve the appointment of Reid and Riege, P.C. as retirement plan counsel for a term concluding in December, 2015

Ms. Haase made a motion to approve the appointment of Reid and Riege, P.C. as retirement plan counsel for a term concluding in December, 2015. Mr. Askham seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

d) Endorsement of Transition of Pension Plans to Open Architecture and Investment of Funds from Russell Real Estate Option

Mr. Askham made a motion to endorse the recommendation of Fiduciary Investment Advisors to invest proceeds from Frank Russell RTC Real Estate Equity Fund in the Vanguard Domestic REIT Index pending opportunity to invest in Cornerstone Patriot Fund. Ms. Wertheimer seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

e) Approval of extensions of ground license agreements with George Hall, Pharos Farm, Anthony Napolitano, Barndoor Hill Road, George Hall Barndoor Hill Road and Rosedale Farm, Baker Property S., Drake Hill Road for the 2013-2014 agriculture season

Ms. Haase made a motion to approve the extensions of ground license agreements for the 2013-2014 agriculture seasons for the following entities:
George L Hall Pharos Farm, Quarry Road 32 acres $1,920.00
Anthony Napolitano Barndoor Hill Road 5 acres $ 300.00
George L. Hall Barndoor Hill Road 17 acres $1,020.00
Rosedale Farm Baker Property S. Drake Hill Road 3 acres $ 375.00

Ms. Heavner seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

f) Create a Technology Task Force reporting to the Board of Selectmen consisting of the individuals in the attached list

Ms. Haase made a motion to approve the creation of a Technology Task Force reporting to the Board of Selectmen consisting of the following individuals: Pam Lacko, Chair; Andy Berling, Len Desson, Mike Doyle, Laruel Hennebury, Mark Orenstein, Jerry Queen, Ray Rosati, Paul Sarkis, Mahen Shukla and Eric Zematis. Mr. Askham seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

OTHER BUSINESS

a) Announcement of a CIRMA Member’s Equity distribution of $23,397 payable to the Town of Simsbury on July 22, 2013

Ms. Glassman announced that CIRMA will be paying Simsbury $23,397, of which $6,730 is from Workmen’s Comp. and the balance is from the general insurance balance. This money will go back into the general fund. She did note that not all towns received this much money.

b) Update on Town Economic Development Marketing Plan - www.simburystrategy.com

Ms. Glassman said there was a meeting last Thursday that outlined the efforts of Simsbury to market current and future businesses in Town. The new website is www.simsburystrategy.com. Ms. Glassman said the website helps everyone to interact with this process along with a questionnaire to be filled out for evaluation. This study is a very important part of community growth.

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

a) Accept the resignation of Ryan M. Mihalic as a regular member of the Conservation Commission/Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Agency effective May 1, 2013

Ms. Wertheimer made a motion to accept the resignation of Ryan M. Mihalic as a regular member of the Conservation Commission/Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Agency effective May 1, 2013 with thanks. Ms. Heavner seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

b) Appoint Ferg Jansen as a Director of the Greater Hartford Transit District with an expiration date of January 31, 2017 per the request of the Executive Director of the Greater Hartford Transit District

Ms. Haase made a motion to approve the appointment of Ferg Jansen as a Director of the Greater Hartford Transit District with an expiration date of January 31, 2017 per the request of the Executive Director of the Greater Hartford Transit District. Mr. Askham seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES

a) Regular Meeting April 22, 2013

Mr. Askham made a motion to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 22, 2013 with a correction on page 5. Ms. Knall seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

b) Special Meeting April 26, 2013

Mr. Askham made a motion to accept the minutes of the Special Meeting of April 26, 2013 as presented. Ms. Haase seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

SELECTMEN LIAISON AND SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS

1. Personnel - no report at this time.
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 on May 28th from 5-6 p.m. there will be a senior citizen art night at the High School. There will be a dinner and then the art show will be displayed. Residents can sign-up at the Senior Center.

Ms. Heavner said there will be a Healthy Mouth presentation on May 15th from 2-3:30 p.m. with deserts and giveaways. Everyone can sign up at the Senior Center.

Ms. Heavner thanked Ms. Knall for the great and successful Women’s Forum.

Ms. Knall said the first Women’s Forum was held last weekend at the Masonic Temple. There were over 30 women in attendance. There was discussion on self-care, navigating a busy world and what needs to be done every day of the year. She thanked everyone for this effort.

Ms. Haase said there was a great turnout at the Walk/Bike Day.

Ms. Haase thanked the Simsbury Police Academy for their graduation dinner. She was one of the graduates, along with about 15 other people. It was a great experience which is handled by all volunteers. She thanked John Mimnaugh for running this successful program for 13 years now.

Ms. Glassman said the Flaming Lips Concert will not be going forward and the concert process did work.

Ms. Glassman commented that the donations on the bike sculpture, the garden club monument and the Veterans monument are all volunteer efforts in fund-raising.

ADJOURN

Mr. Askham made a motion to adjourn at 8:05 p.m. Ms. Haase seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary A. Glassman
First Selectman