First Selectwoman's Report - September 12, 2016
First Selectwoman’s Report – September 12, 2016
Simsbury Receives a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence
We are pleased to announce that Simsbury has received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the Town’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). The achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting. Please join me in recognizing Sean Kimball, Director of Finance, for his efforts and work on this achievement.
Walk/Bike to School
Join students, staff and parents for Walk/Bike to School days in Simsbury! Walk/Bike events are part of a national Safe Routes to School initiative that promotes health and wellness by developing safe routes for all children to walk/bike to school: Latimer Lane on September 29th; Tootin’ Hills October 5th; Squadron Line on October 7th. Thanks to all the volunteers who organize these events!
Revaluation of Real Estate in Simsbury
In accordance with State law and in order to make sure residents are taxed on the fair value of their properties, revaluation of all real estate in Simsbury is now underway. Over the next 18 months each property in town will be reassessed in-line with current market values. You may see Town employees and contractors from Municipal Valuation Services assisting with this process.
The first phase is a pre-review which includes comparisons between what is observed and what is shown on the assessor’s card. The next phase beginning in December includes property questionnaires, updating records for work done under building permits, inspection of recently sold properties and valuation. Revaluation notices culminate the process and are expected to be mailed to taxpayers in December 2017. For questions, please contact the Director of Finance Sean Kimball at skimball@simsbury-ct.gov or (860) 658-3244 or the Tax Assessor David Gardner at dgardner@simsbury-ct.gov or (860) 658-3251.
Veterans Memorial Project – Dedication Ceremony on November 13th
Construction of the Veterans Memorial Project is underway with completion of the project anticipated by early November 2016. A dedication ceremony will be held on November 13th. More information to follow!
Building Effective Treatment Systems and Services for Youth with Mental Health Concerns and Trauma – September 14th
Presented by the Simsbury Community for Care, Dr. Jeffery J. Vanderploeg of the Child Health and Development Institute will facilitate a discussion on youth with mental health and trauma issues and effective treatment systems and services. Ask questions and join the conversation. This event is appropriate for adults and will be held at the Simsbury Public Library Program Room at 6 p.m. on September 14th. For questions, please contact Simsbury Social Services at (860) 658-3283.
Simsbury Woman’s Club Arts and Crafts Festival – September 17th-18th
The Simsbury Woman’s Club is hosting its 47th annual Arts and Crafts Festival on September 17th-18th. The festival grounds on Iron Horse Boulevard will be open 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Come on down to check out the 100 juried artists and crafts persons selling artwork, photography, fine and costume jewelry, handcrafted soaps and lotions, clothing, pottery, blown glass and more! Admission is free.
2016 Simsbury Grange Agriculture Fair – September 17th
Join the Simsbury Grange at 236 Farms Village Road on Saturday, September 17th from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. for a celebration of the plentiful agriculture offerings in the Town of Simsbury and the surrounding area. Activities include hayrides, children activities, contests, refreshments, bake sale, craft and book sale, music and local agriculture displays. And it is free! For more information, please visit: http://www.simsburygrange.org/grangeagfair.asp
31st Annual Simsbury Fly-In and Car Show – September 18th
The Annual Simsbury Fly-In and Car Show will be held at Simsbury Airport on September 18th from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The event features over 700 great airplanes and cars of virtually every type and vintage, plus over 100 activities, exhibitors, sponsors and advertisers to interest the entire family. To see all that is offered please visit www.simsburyflyin.com
Simsbury Library Giant Used Book Sale – September 24th and 25th
The Friends of Simsbury Library are hosting their 2016 Giant Used Book Sale on September 24th and 25th at Simsbury High School. Saturday hours are 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sunday hours are 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Thanks to the many volunteers who put in hundreds of hours to make this happen! Questions? Please call Charmaine Glew (860) 651-4192 or Annie Wallack (860) 658-7781 or visit the website at: http://www.simsburylibrary.info/friends-of-the-library/book-sale/
Living Longer, Stronger – a Free Educational Event Series
Thank you to the Simsbury Aging and Disability Commission and Simsbury Library for sponsoring this free educational series on advocating for your healthcare needs. The series takes place at the Simsbury Library from 6:30-8:00 p.m. and features the following topics:
September 27th – The Hows and Whys of Movement between Healthcare Settings
October 25th – Making the Most of Your 12-Minute Doctor’s Appointment
November 29th – The Impact of Medication on Chronic Diseases.
If you are interested in attending, please R.S.V.P. to the Senior Center at (860) 658-3273 or to kmarschall@simsbury-ct.gov. More information can also be found on the Simsbury Library Program events calendar: http://www.libraryinsight.com/eventdetails.asp?jx=scp&lmx=804123&v=3
Simsbury Spooktacular Chili Challenge – October 29th
Save the date for great chili in Simsbury at the Chamber’s Simsbury Spooktacular Chili Challenge on October 29th from noon to 5:00 p.m. This is a great family event with trick-or-treating, live entertainment, costume contest and something for everyone. Tickets are $10 and admission is free for children aged 10 and under. New this year - a local restaurant competition for the “best darn chili” in the Valley! For more information, visit: simsburychili.com or simsburycoc.org.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Social Media Revolution Seminar for Simsbury Businesses
On September 15th at 5:30 p.m. at the Simsbury Public Library, local businesses can attend a seminar on the Social Media Revolution. This seminar will give you a closer look at popular social media networks – Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram. The presenter is April Heavens-Woodcock. This presentation is sponsored by Constant Contact, the Greater Hartford SCORE Chapter, the Simsbury Public Library and the Simsbury Chamber of Commerce. Registration is required. http://www.libraryinsight.com/eventdetails.asp?jx=scp&lmx=818151&v=3
Congratulations
Congratulations to the Bicycle Cellar on being designated as Simsbury’s first Bicycle Friendly business by the League of American Bicyclists! The Bicycle Cellar joins nearly 1,200 local businesses, government agencies and Fortune 500 companies in receiving this designation for transforming the American workplace into a more sustainable place to live and work. http://www.bloomfieldbike.com/articles/welcome-to-the-bicycle-cellar-pg1...
Open for Business
Congratulations and welcome to Luis Valentin who has opened Sabor Olive Oil Co. and Art Gallery in the Simsbury Town Shops across from Town Hall. Check out their great selection of olive oils, vinegars, spices, specialty foods and art gallery. http://www.saboroliveoil.com/
A ribbon cutting will be held later this fall.
Congratulations and welcome to Pinar Ozy who has opened Happiest Inc. in the Simsbury Town Shops, 928 Hopmeadow Street, Suite 2. They offer the highest quality towels, shawls, quilts, blankets and more. You can visit them or see their collection online at www.happiestinc.com. A ribbon cutting will be held later this fall.
Congratulations and welcome to Rana Morton who on August 2nd opened a State Farm Insurance office at 1243 Hopmeadow Street, offering auto, home, business and life insurance. Please join us for a ribbon cutting on September 14th at 5:00 p.m.
Congratulations to Landworks on the opening of Highcroft residential units located along Powder Forest Drive. This development includes 224 apartments, lofts and 48 townhomes. Please join us for a ribbon cutting on September 15th at 4:30 p.m. http://www.lifeinsimsbury.com/find-a-home/
The Old Well Tavern is currently undergoing a remodeling project to provide a more family-friendly dining space. The Tavern will remain open during the remodeling. Please join us for a ribbon cutting on September 22nd at 3:00 p.m.
Present Company located at 2 Tunxis Road, Tariffville is now open for business. A ribbon cutting was held on September 6th. Check out their website http://www.presentcompanyct.com/ . Present Company is honoring Mill at 2T gift certificates. Welcome to Simsbury!
Best Cleaners located at 1227 Hopmeadow Street is anticipated to open October 1st.
Under Construction in Simsbury
Green Tea Chinese Restaurant, located at 570 Hopmeadow Street is undergoing significant renovations, and will re-open with a new name and a new Asian-fusion style menu. Looking forward to the re-opening later this fall! Their new name will be Table 570 Asian Fusion.
Garden Homes on the south side of town along Hopmeadow Street is now under construction – building foundations have been completed and framing has started. 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.
Highcroft: 272 residential rental units off Powder Forest Drive are also under construction by Landworks Development/Nelson Construction team. The project includes Highcroft Apartment Homes with 224 apartment units and Highcroft Townhomes with 48 units. Move-ins commenced in July 2016 and construction is expected to conclude on the first 128 unit phase in late spring 2017. You can visit their website at: http://www.lifeinsimsbury.com for information on their sale and rental offerings or http://www.highcroftapartments.com/.
Berkshire Bank: At the Corner of Bushy Hill and Albany Turnpike, Berkshire Bank is working on interior fit-out and is not yet open.
Permitted
Big Y has indicated that they have delayed a start date in Simsbury for at least a year and possibly into 2018 based on internal financial priorities and commitments elsewhere, but will begin removal of the buildings on their property. Big Y further indicated that they are still interested in Simsbury and confirmed that they have all their town and state permits in place for when they do begin.
Hoskins Road Workforce Overlay Zone (WHOZ): The Town planning boards have approved 88 residential units for the property with twenty percent affordable housing. Although the project has been approved there is currently no activity.
Chestnut Hills: Located on the corner of Drake Hill and Hopmeadow Street, 46 unit apartments have been approved for the historical building and the surrounding property.
On the Horizon
The Silverman Group: 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 demolition of the original Hartford building is complete.
Girard Brothers Corporation: 32 and 36 Iron Horse Blvd. (Simscroft-Echo Farms). Initial concept plans have been presented to Design Review, Planning and Zoning for a multifamily residential community. The Planning presentation can be viewed on SCTV at the following link: http://simsburytv.org/v/4rffJvkGMTA
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