Board of Selectmen Special Meeting January 29, 2015

TOWN OF SIMSBURY – BOARD OF SELECTMEN "Subject to Approval"
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES – JANUARY 29, 2015

CALL TO ORDER

The Special Meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium of Eno Memorial Hall. Present were: First Selectman Lisa Heavner; Board members Michael Paine, Cheryl Cook, Sean Askham, and Christopher Kelly. Absent was Deputy First Selectman Nancy Haase. Others in attendance included Jerome Shea, Town Engineer, Mickey LeCours-Beck, Director of Social Services, Thomas Cooke, Director of Administrative Services, and other interested parties.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Ms. Heavner said public comments are always welcome at Board of Selectmen meetings during Public Audience. Public comments are limited to 5 minutes per person. However, if someone feels they need more time to speak they may contact the First Selectman’s office to set-up an appointment.

PUBLIC AUDIENCE

Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive informed everyone that she has filed an application to petition for the position as First Selectman in Simsbury with the Secretary of the State. She said the application was approved by the Town Clerk. She is now awaiting the form from the Secretary of the State designating the number of signatures needed to place her name on the ballot and the form for the signatures.

Ms. Coe said her platform will be to change the form of government from First Selectman to a Town Manager. She will run as an independent. She said the office of First Selectman will be eliminated as well as the salary and the salary for Town Manager will be negotiated under a contractual agreement. This Town needs a Town Manager so it doesn’t fall behind the times.

Ms. Coe feels the Executive Session, a public safety issue impacting the Town of Simsbury, should not be in Executive Session at all as information on this issue has already been issued to the public. She said according to the Freedom of Information Act Sec 1-200 (6) "Executive Sessions" means a meeting of a public agency at which the public is excluded for one or more of the following purposes: (C) matters concerning security strategy or the deployment of security personnel or devices affecting public security;

Ms. Coe said she told Mr. Cooke that if this session had to do with CL&P all the information was already published in the Hartford Courant and there was no need for Executive Session. The only omission in the article was the $30,000 the Town would lose in property tax when they leave the area.

Ms. Coe said the CL&P article in the Hartford Courant said that the First Selectman called for a meeting where she plans to ask the company to reverse its decision and she doesn’t think CL&P will change their minds.

Ms. Coe said CREC has established a magnet school, the Diagnostic Center for students who have emotional issues and requires an alternative high school experience. This is supported by the towns with students with special needs. However, Ms. Coe said it appears that at least twice a month the police are called to the school when students bolt from the school and run around the neighborhood until captured. She asked if this could place the neighborhood, Latimer Lane School students and the Police in danger and she asked for a review on this issue.

Robert Kalechman, 971 Hopmeadow Street said he was looking at the Old Testament a few days ago and read that Moses had a son. He said the Testament said he felt like a stranger in a strange land and that is the feeling he has. People come here from elsewhere and after spending a year or two here they become strangers if they don’t do what others tell them to do.

Mr. Kalechman said he and his wife attended many Personnel Sub-Committee meetings and they are the "same old dance with different music". There have been three Charter Revision Commissions and the last one became a stand-off after it was really supported.

Mr. Kalechman said there were Constables in Town for a very long time and then they were taken out of the Charter. It is his understanding that now there are 2-3 Marshalls and he isn’t sure why.

Mr. Kalechman said there needs to be a change with the Personnel Sub-Committee. He feels that Mr. Cooke has a conflict of interest on this Committee. He voted himself a raise even after the elected members voted against it. It asked Ms. Heavner to make a change in this Sub-Committee.

Linda Schofield, 3 Ryan Circle said she would like to speak about the Dewey Farms. She said like most residents she likes our bucolic-looking town – open spaces and farms. She feels open space comes at a double cost as the town needs money to maintain it and the town loses money by taking it off the tax rolls.

Ms. Schofield said the Dewey Farm is hardly a wildlife area, doesn’t offer any special habitat, there is no public access to the property, and it is an eyesore in her opinion. The Farm has had a ramshackle appearance with broken down green houses, piles of junk, rusting drums, abundant weeds, and also some lovely gladiolas and cleomes.

Ms. Schofield said the current lease requires the renter to pay on $78 per acre per year for use of the land. He rents 6 acres of this land and she wonders if the cost to the town to process the paperwork exceeds the proceeds from the rent.

Ms. Schofield said she looked at land records for surrounding properties that were recently sold, anyone can see that this property would yield a substantial gain to the town if it were sold. She feels that the 14.6 acres of the property could be divided into 7 two-acre lots that could sell for at least $150,000. In addition, these properties would then be taxable and would yield an annual revenue for the town.

Ms. Schofield feels these funds would be ample to cover the costs of turning the Old Drake Hill property into a lovely park, maintaining of trails at Ethel Walker and elsewhere, and of building trails in Simsbury Meadows. These initiatives all provide real value to the public as well as to the environment and wildlife of our town.

Ms. Schofield feels the town is right to protect open space and farms, but they must do so rationally and with an eye to cost-benefit trade-offs, so that prioritizing the use of public funds to their highest use for the most benefit.

PRESENTATIONS

• Senior Center

Ms. Heavner said she put this on the agenda to see what we know so far and what the next steps might be.

This is just informational only and no action will be taken. Information will be available at the Senior Center and on SCTV.

Mr. Shea gave some basic history on the Senior Center project, the status of where we are today, and how we can go forward.

He said there are 159 average users at the Senior Center on a daily basis. There will be an increase in seniors in the year 2025. Some of the programs are offered at the Library and Simsbury Farms.

Mr. Shea said one of the issues is not enough parking. There are limitations on exercise classes; inadequate tv/movie room; insufficient arts, crafts, storage spaces; lack of health and wellness screening space; and meal service limitations.

Mr. Shea said the Senior Center Eno Memorial Sub-Committee recommended a newly constructed site. The Board of Selectmen requested further study of Eno Memorial Hall and a site in the Town center area. The Public Building Committee recommended the State DOT site.

Mr. Shea went through the rest of his presentation including the revised costs of the projects for each suggested sites.

Mr. Shea also went through the approximate construction timelines with possible completion in June 2017.

He also went through the potential actions on site selections at Eno Memorial Hall, the State DOT lot or further study. He said they could pursue the purchase of the State DOT Lot for $800,000 or pursue legislative changes so they can use the lot for municipal use only.

There were some questions from the Board including getting a new appraisal on the DOT lot. Mr. Shea said there could be some uncertainties and obstacles with this site. The discussion also has to be held during the Legislative session and we could miss being on the agenda.

Mr. Kelly asked what the timeline would be if they embraced a community center concept and how the cost would be impacted. Mr. Shea said they should have to rebuild a design concept, which could take several months.

Mr. Askham asked about needs and wants in a 22,000 sq. ft. building. He feels something needs to be done, but that 8 million dollars exceed the budget, so maybe there should be some phasing done. He asked Ms. LeCours-Beck to prioritize her needs vs. wants and what the impact would be on their items. Ms. Heavner said she would get a memo from Mr. Mancini about the budget figures as the budget needs to be started also.

After further discussion, the Board would like to look at the conceptual drawings again. They would also like to give the link to the public so they can see the designs. Also, Ms. Heavner told everyone to give her office a call with their suggestions and comments. She said all of the information will be posted on the Town website as well. The Board would like to meet again to discuss this issue, along with public audience, during a special meeting. Mr. Cooke will coordinate that meeting and get back to the Selectmen. Ms. Heavner said she will also ask the architects to be available to answer questions as well.

Ms. Heavner thanked Mr. Shea and all Town staff for their help and information on this issue. They did a great job.

FIRST SELECTMAN’S REPORT

There was no First Selectman’s Report at this time.

SELECTMEN ACTION

a) Approve Tax Refunds

Ms. Cook made a motion to approve tax refunds in the amount of $4,641.56 as reviewed and recommended by the Tax Collector. Mr. Kelly seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

b) Approve 2015 Budget Workshop Revised Dates

Ms. Heavner said there were some budget meeting conflicts with the previous dates, therefore, this is the updated list of budget workshop dates.

Mr. Kelly made a motion to adopt a revised schedule for budget workshop dates and times based on available dates as follows: Thursday, February 26th at 5:30 p.m.; Thursday, March 5th at 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 7th from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Monday, March 9th at 5:30 p.m., and Tuesday, March 10th through Thursday, March 12th at 5:30 p.m. Mr. Askham seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

c) Approve Renewal of Agriculture License Agreement for Dewey Farms to the Ryan Family Farm

Ms. Heavner said this is a request from Town Engineer to consider extending the ground lease for the Dewey Farm property for the 2015 growing season on the grounds that the Open Space Committee will require time to do an inventory and evaluation of open space parcels and to develop an open space policy. Mr. Ryan has been a good steward of the land and extending the ground license would continue the productive use of the land for agricultural purposes.

Mr. Ryan said he grows from seeds, which does cost more. He said the leaf piles are spread in the spring. He said large area takes time to decompose. He said he has organic materials, but he doesn’t want to spend a lot of money if the Town isn’t going to renew his lease.

Mr. Kelly made a motion to extend the ground lease for the Dewey Farm property for the 2015 growing season to the Ryan Family on the grounds that the Open Space Committee will require time to do an inventory and evaluation of open space parcels and to develop an open space policy. Ms. Cook seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

Ms. Heavner said the Board is awaiting the information on the new policy on open space.

d) Approve Eno Hall Auditorium Waiver of Fee for Theatre Guild of Simsbury

Mr. Askham made a motion to waive the fee for use of the Eno Hall Auditorium on April 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 2015 as a performance space for the Theatre Guild of Simsbury’s spring show "Dearly Departed". Mr. Paine seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

e) Approve Eno Hall Auditorium Waiver of Fee for Simsbury Light Opera Company

Mr. Askham made a motion to waive the fees for Simsbury Light Opera Company’s use of Eno Memorial Hall for rehearsals and performances of "Trial by Jury" on March 12, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 28, and 29, 2015. Mr. Paine seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

f) Authorize the First Selectman to execute Memorandum of Understanding between the Greater New Haven Transit District and the Town of Simsbury

Ms. Heavner congratulated Ms. LeCours-Beck on securing this grant which she sought on the 2013 cycle. This will replace the 2010 vehicle with 118,600 miles on it. This application was granted and therefore we are eligible for an 80% - 20% cot split. Our share will be paid out of our Expanded Dial-A-Ride fund, so there will be no impact on the budget. The Acceptance Certificate was signed on June 25, 2014 and this Memorandum of Understanding is the next step in the procurement process.

Ms. Heavner noted that the State bidding process is not yet completed, so she doesn’t have an exact 20% figure at this time.

No motion was necessary, but all the Board members agreed with this Memorandum of Understanding.

OTHER BUSINESS

There was no other business at this time.

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

Aging and Disability Commission

a) Reappoint Ed LaMontagne (R), Mona Martinik (R) and Lynn Veith (R) as regular members of the Aging & Disability Commission with an expiration date of January 1, 2019

Mr. Askham made a motion to reappoint Ed LaMontagne, Mona Martinik and Lynn Veith as regular members of the Aging & Disability Commission with an expiration date of January 1, 2019. Ms. Cook seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

b) Appoint Marge Diachenko (R) as a regular member of the Aging & Disability Commission with an expiration date of January 1, 2019

Mr. Askham made a motion to appoint Marge Diachenko as a regular member of the Aging & Disability Commission with an expiration date of January 1, 2019. Ms. Cook seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

Board of Ethics

a) Reappoint Barbara Petijean (R) as a regular member of the Board of Ethics with an expiration date of January 1, 2019

Mr. Kelly made a motion to reappoint Barbara Petijean as a regular member of the Board of Ethics with an expiration date of January 1, 2019. Ms. Cook seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

Building Code Board of Appeals

a) Reappoint William Egan (R) as a regular member of the Building Code Board of Appeals with an expiration date of January 1, 2019

Mr. Paine made a motion to reappoint William Egan as a regular member of the Building Code Board of Appeals with an expiration date of January 1, 2019. Mr. Kelly seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

Economic Development Commission

a) Reappoint Dave Balboni (R), Gary Dornbush (R), and Lou George as regular members of the Economic Development Commission with an expiration date of January 1, 2019

Ms. Cook made a motion to reappoint Dave Balboni, Gary Dornbush, and Lou George as regular members of the Economic Development Commission with an expiration date of January 1, 2019. Mr. Paine seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

Fair Rent Commission

a) Reappoint Maddie Gilkey (R), Connie Mason (R), John Paddock (R), Dave Richman (R), and Mary Turner to the Fair Rent Commission with an expiration date of January 1, 2019

Mr. Kelly made a motion to postpone the reappointment of Maddie Gilkey, Connie Mason, John Paddock, Dave Richman, and Mary Turner to the Fair Rent Commission with an expiration date of January 1, 2019 until the next Board of Selectmen meeting. Mr. Paine seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

Historic District Commission

a) Reappoint Dianne Mead (R) as a regular member to the Historic District Commission with an expiration date of January 1, 2019

Ms. Cook made a motion to reappoint Dianne Mead as a regular member to the Historic District Commission with an expiration date of January 1, 2019. Mr. Paine seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

Simsbury Farms Complex Committee

a) Appoint Liz Keppel (R) as a regular member of the Simsbury Farms Complex Committee with an expiration date of December 7, 2015

Ms. Cook made a motion to appoint Liz Keppel as a regular member of the Simsbury Farms Complex Committee with an expiration date of December 7, 2015. Mr. Paine seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES

a) Regular Meeting of January 12, 2015

No action was taken and therefore the minutes were adopted.

SELECTMEN LIAISON AND SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS

1. Personnel - Mr. Kelly said the Personnel Sub-Committee did meet tonight and they will be forwarding recommendations to the First Selectman tomorrow. This encompasses the purpose and structure on the salary issues on the First Selectman’s position.
Ms. Heavner thanked them for meeting on this issue so soon. She said this had to do with public demand on the salary for a First Selectman or Town Manager form of government and who would apply for these job positions.
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 – Mr. Kelly said "Thoroughly Modern Millie" will be playing at the High School on Saturday, January 31st at 7 p.m. and February 1st, 6th and 8th. All information will be posted on the school website. VIP passes can be used for this.

ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mr. Askham made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session at 8:41 p.m. to discuss Public Safety Issue Impacting the Town of Simsbury. Mr. Paine seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

a) Public Safety Issue Impacting the Town of Simsbury

In addition to the Board of Selectmen, Director of Administrative Services Thomas Cooke was present. Discussion on the matter concluded at 9:11 pm.

ADJOURN FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION

Ms. Askham made a motion to adjourn from Executive Session. Mr. Paine seconded the motion and the motion passed. The Board adjourned from Executive Session at 9:11 pm.

ADJOURN

Mr. Askham made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Cook seconded the motion and the motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 9:11 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathi Radocchio
Clerk