First Selectman's Report - May 9, 2016
First Selectman’s Report – May 9, 2016
Simsbury Medication Drop Box
Did you know that you can safely dispose of unwanted medication at the Simsbury Police Station Medication Drop Box located in the lobby of the Police Department at 933 Hopmeadow Street? There are some medications that can be very dangerous if taken accidentally or by someone who was not prescribed the medication and many medications can be harmful to the environment if disposed of improperly. The medication disposal program allows for a safe and secure way for residents to dispose of medications 24 hours a day/7days a week. There is no cost for this service and medications may be dropped off anonymously. For questions about this program, please contact police dispatch at (860) 658-3100.
Simsbury Farms Golf Course Selected for Site Evaluation Assistance
The Simsbury Farms Golf Course is one of six courses selected nationwide to receive pro-bono consulting visits and evaluations by the United States Golf Association and the American Society of Golf Course Architects. Following a site visit, a report will be created by the consultants analyzing and making recommendations in the areas of course design, agronomics, maintenance practices and operations. Many thanks to Golf Course Superintendent Mike Wallace for submitting the application and to Director of Culture, Parks and Recreation Gerry Toner for supporting the application that will bring great value to Simsbury at no cost to residents.
Department of Public Works Receives a Pro-Bono Road Safety Audit to Improve Bicycle and Pedestrian
Safety
The Town of Simsbury was selected to receive a pro bono Road Safety Audit of trail and street intersections through the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s Community Connectivity Program. Many thanks to Director of Public Works Tom Roy for submitting this application on behalf of the Town. The safety audit will be done at no cost to residents by a team of safety specialists in close coordination with the local community, to improve safety and reduce crashes.
Simsbury Police Captain Nick Boulter Graduates from FBI National Academy
Congratulations to Captain Nick Boulter who was one of 230 law enforcement officers from across the country and beyond to graduate in March from the FBI National Academy Program at Quantico, Virginia. ). The FBI National Academy is a professional course of study for U.S. and international law enforcement leaders. It serves to improve the administration of justice in police departments and agencies at home and abroad, and to raise law enforcement standards, knowledge and cooperation worldwide. Nick started with us as a patrol officer in 1999 and this latest accomplishment puts him in select company – less than one tenth of one percent of law enforcement officers in the world are accepted to this esteemed program. Our very own Chief Peter N. Ingvertsen is the only other current Simsbury Police Department member to graduate from the FBI (Session 161 in 1990).
Gearing Up for Road Paving in Simsbury
Road paving in Simsbury will be in full swing in the next few weeks. Want to know the ins and outs of how and why Simsbury Public Works selects roads for paving, which methods they use and how they do it? Check out this great video which explains it all! http://simsburytv.org/v/1iQsDCrWBaA
Congratulations to Simsbury’s Hometown Heroes
Hometown Heroes are recognized each May in Simsbury and across the state. This year’s Hometown Heroes are:
Peter Askham
Nick Mason
Roger Coombes
Pam Kelley
Congratulations to all the recipients and all the volunteers in town who give of their time in service to our community. We are a better community because of all of you!
Budget Update
The Board of Finance has delayed the budget referendum and tentatively scheduled its Final Public Hearing on the budget for May 18th in the hope that the State will have clarified its own budget position on municipal aid. The date for the budget referendum cannot be determined until the Board of Finance has filed the budget with the Town Clerk. Residents should stay tuned for more information on this process as it evolves. All of our budget documents, including the budget put forward by the Board of Selectmen can be found on the Town’s website: www.simsbury-ct.gov.
Bike Month Update
Bike month is off and riding! Thanks to everyone who joined us on the Board of Selectmen ride on May 5th. There are still lots of opportunities to join in. Activities include a bicycle maintenance class on May 11, Bike to the Library Day on May 14th, Bike to Work Day on May 20th, and the Simsbury “Try Simsbury Triathlon” on May 22nd. To check out all the great activities, please visit: www.simsbury.bike.com.
Thanks to members of the Board of Selectmen, town staff and the public who joined AAA for their Bike Benefit Launch Event earlier in the day to announce their new Bicycle Assistance program and to support Bike Month.
Under Construction in Simsbury
Garden Homes on the south side of town along Hopmeadow Street is now under construction. This development was approved for 181 residential rental units, including townhomes and apartment style housing. Commercial and retail units were also approved as part of the Planned Area Development (PAD), but zoning and specific site plan approvals have yet to be sought and therefore only the residential component is under construction at this time. You can visit Garden Homes’ website at http://www.gardenhomes.com/ for more information about the development company.
Also under construction, are 272 residential units for rent by Land Works as part of the Highcroft Apartment Homes and Highcroft Townhomes along Powder Forest Drive. This development includes 224 apartments, lofts and 48 townhomes. This development includes rentals and condominiums. You can visit their website at: http://www.lifeinsimsbury.com/find-a-home/
At the Corner of Bushy Hill and Albany Turnpike, Berkshire Bank is working on interior fit-out and is not yet open.
Open for Business
Congratulations and welcome to Andy and Mary Claire Whalen, owners of Maher’s Simsbury Paint store, located at 1231 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury – at the North end of town by the Sunrise Convenience Store and Antonio’s restaurant. A ribbon cutting was held on April 23rd to welcome this new business to Simsbury. Stop by and check them out!
Simsbury Memorial Day Parade
Simsbury’s Memorial Day Parade will be held on Monday, May 30. Please join us for the parade and the following ceremonies. 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 the many volunteers who give of their time to organize these parades.
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.
In Case You Missed It – Highlights from the Last Board of Selectmen Meeting
At the last Board of Selectmen meeting on April 25th the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to join a regional insurance captive, CT Prime, to pool resources and save residents tax dollars.
The captive will allow multiple towns to come together to purchase stop loss insurance. It is anticipated that Simsbury will save approximately $23,000 in FY 17 between the town and Board of Education. It is also anticipated that Simsbury will secure rate stability and future savings in the coming year, including other potential cost-saving opportunities through regional cooperation with the communities involved in the captive.
The Board also voted to amend Chapter 141 Ordinance Providing Tax Abatement for Volunteer Firefighters and Ambulance Personnel to allow volunteer firefighters and Ambulance persons to receive the full amount available to them in 5 years instead of 10 years. The Board supported the amendment help retain the Town’s existing volunteer firefighters and ambulance personnel and to attract new members. Thanks to all our emergency responders who work so hard to keep Simsbury safe! To view the amended ordinance, visit the Board of Selectmen’s page on the town’s website – www.simsbury-ct.gov.