Board of Selectmen Special Meeting July 24, 2014-Approved

TOWN OF SIMSBURY- BOARD OF SELECTMEN
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES - JULY 24, 2014

CALL TO ORDER

The Special Meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order at 8:05 a.m. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. Present were: First Selectman Mary Glassman; Board members Cheryl Cook, Lisa Heavner and Michael Paine. Mr. Askham and Ms. Haase were absent from this meeting. Others in attendance included: Sean Kimball, Deputy Director of Administrative Services, Joseph Mancini, Director of Finance/Treasurer and other interested parties.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.

PUBLIC AUDIENCE

Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive, expressed concern about buying the property as she feels it has no value to the taxpayers. The Town should not be in the business of the purchasing property and this property should not have brought to the Board of Selectmen. She urged to the Board to vote no on this purchase.

SELECTMEN ACTION

a) Authorization to allow the First Selectman to negotiate and purchase 1 Old Bridge Road

Ms. Glassman stated this item was on Executive Session at the last meeting where the Board requested more information which is the purpose of this meeting. Ms. Glassman stated Town Counsel has been consulted and she explained the formal process that the Town would need to follow. She further stated the public would have multiple opportunities to comment at Board of Selectmen, Planning Commission, Open Space Committee and Board of Finance meetings. Discussion ensued regarding the advantages of the Town owning the property such as access to the river, removing residents that reside in a flood plain, the ability to control all land near the river and at Drake Hill Flower Bridge as well as potential economic growth for the community. The Board further discussed funding options and Ms. Glassman stated there would be no new taxes for this purchase.

Ms. Heavner made a motion to authorize the First Selectmen to negotiate a purchase and sales agreement on behalf of the Town and authorize a $5,000 deposit for that purpose contingent on Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance, Planning Commission and Open Space Committee approval. Mr. Paine seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

ADJOURN

Ms. Cook made a motion to adjourn at 8:25 a.m. Ms. Heavner seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary A. Glassman
First Selectman