MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
SEPTEMBER 9, 2002
§ CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order at 7:30 P.M. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. Present were First Selectman Thomas Vincent, Board Members Madeleine Gilkey, William Garrity, Joel Mandell and John Romano, Assistant to the First Selectman Brandon Robertson and other interested parties.
§ AGENDA
First Selectman Vincent asked for a motion to add item 5b to the agenda: Review and possibly approve a request from the Farmington Valley Music Foundation to use Town property for the presentation of the Stuart Hall Fall Music Festival on September 14 and 15, 2002.
Mr. Mandell made a motion to add item 5b to the Agenda. The motion was seconded by Mr. Garrity and passed unanimously.
§ PUBLIC AUDIENCE
Richard Martinik, 5 Main Street Extension, told the Board that although he has requested for some time that brush piles in Tarriffville be removed, they have not been cleaned up.
James Clinch, addressed the Board on behalf of homeless and disabled veterans, stating that on September 20th, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense and Department of Disabled American Veterans will join together in an effort to keep awareness on Prisoners of War and Missing in Action; and requested that the Board of Selectmen consider proclaiming September 20, 2002 as a Day of Awareness for POW's and MIA's.
Mr. Romano made a motion to add consideration of proclaiming September 20, 2002 as a Day of Awareness for POW's and MIA's to the agenda. The motion was seconded by Mr. Mandell and passed unanimously.
Ms. Gilkey recognized Mr. Clinch's twenty-five years as a businessman in Simsbury and for his work representing veterans.
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Board of Selectman
September 9, 2002
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§ STATE OF THE TOWN
Assistant to the First Selectman, Brandon Robertson, reported on activities of Town departments, highlighting the Library's small business workshops, the Library/Main Street Partnership Retail Seminar; and Fall Story Time registration.
Mr. Robertson introduced, and on behalf of the Board of Selectmen, welcomed the new Executive Director of the Main Street Partnership, Sarah Florosky.
Mr. Robertson went on to say that the Simsbury Police Department is currently preparing for the Police Explorer Program; that in the Recreation Department, work continues on the Boundless Playground, that the Skate Park near Memorial Field is now open, and registration for fall programs is underway; that the Human Resources Department is accepting applications for the positions of Assistant Building Official, Water Pollution Control Facility Plant Mechanic and Equipment Operator, Commission Secretary, Water Pollution Control Facility Process Control Operator and Assistant Assessor.
Mr. Robertson said that a ceremony commemorating September 11, 2001 will be held on September 11th at 9:45 A.M. in front of ENO Memorial Hall.
Mr. Mandell commented on the success of the Police Department Senior Picnic held at Simsbury Farms, stating that approximately 200 people were in attendance.
§ PRESENTATION OF A PROCLAMATION IN OBSERVANCE OF CONSTITUION WEEK
Mr. Mandell read the following proclamation:
WHEREAS, September 17, 2002, Constitution Day, marks the 215th anniversary of the signing of the constitution of the United States, and;
WHEREAS, We the People did ordain and establish a Constitution for the United States of America to secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity; and
WHEREAS, it is important that all citizens fully understand the provisions, principles and meaning of the Constitution, so they can support, preserve and defend it against encroachment; and
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Board of Selectmen
September 9, 2002
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WHEREAS, Constitution Week provides the opportunity for all Americans to learn about and to reflect upon the rights and privileges of citizenship and its responsibilities; and
WHEREAS, the people of the Town of Simsbury do enjoy the blessings of liberty, the guarantees of the Bill of Rights, equal protection of the law under the Constitution, and the freedoms derived from it.
NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE KNOWN, I Thomas E. Vincent, First Selectman of the Town of Simsbury, do hereby proclaim September 17-23, 2002 as
CONSTITUTION WEEK
and invite every citizen and institution to join in the national commemoration.
First Selectman Vincent presented the proclamation to Norma Servadio, Chairman of the Abagail Phelps Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Ms. Servadio said the proclamation would be on display at the Library.
1. PLANNING AND CONSERVATION
a. Presentation by Elisabeth Moore of the Trust for Public Land
Ms. Moore, Project Manager for Trust for Public Land, gave a brief overview of the Trust, stating that it is a non-profit organization; that the Trust works as a catalyst to help municipalities purchase land and get it into public ownership by typically entering into option agreements with Landowners and then helping communities to obtain funds to purchase the property or by purchasing the properties outright and conveying it to municipalities. The Trust is also involved in planning with communities to build open space infrastructure.
b. Review and possibly authorize the First Selectman to execute a Consultation Agreement with the Trust for Public Land
Ms. Gilkey made a motion, seconded by Mr. Romano to authorize the First Selectman to execute a Consultation Agreement with the Trust for Public Land per letter to The Trust for Public Land dated September 4. 2002.
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Board of Selectmen
September 9, 2002
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Mr. Mandell said that there is no cost to the Town for services from the Trust and that the Trust had been successful in the past in assisting in the purchase of the bulk of the Simsbury Meadows land.
Mr. Garrity read a message from Ms. Mielert supporting the Town's entering in to an agreement with the Trust.
After discussion, the motion passed unanimously.
2. FINANCE
a. Review and act on correspondence from the Tax Collector regarding Tax Refunds.
Mr. Romano made a motion, seconded by Mr. Garrity, and passed unanimously to approve tax refunds in the amount of $19,457.56 for the period of September 1 through September 8, 2002 per memorandum from Kathleen Hayes, Tax Collector, dated September 4, 2002.
b. Review and act on request for a transfer from reserves to the Self-Insurance Fund in the amount of $601,377.
Mr. Vincent said that this transfer will allow the Self-Insurance fund to end fiscal year 2001/2002 with retained earnings in the amount of $351,952.
Mr. Mandell made a motion, seconded by Ms. Gilkey, to approve the transfer of $601,377 from reserves to the Self-Insurance Fund per memorandum from Finance Director Kevin Kane dated September 4, 2002.
In response to Mr. Mandell's question, Mr. Kane said that interest earned on the Self-Insurance Fund goes into the General Fund; that the costs of the program have exceeded the premiums and if the money is not transferred in its entirety, it is possible there will not be enough money in the General Fund to transfer to cover possible losses to the Self-Insurance Fund; that the Town and Board of Education pay the premiums on the Fund; and the employee contribution to the Fund is negotiated during contract negotiations. Mr. Mandell supported negotiating increases in employee contributions to premiums when the premiums are raised.
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Board of Selectmen
September 9, 2002
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Mr. Kane said that the transfer is the only mechanism for making the Fund whole and if the transfer is not made, the Town Auditors will report this deficit in the Self-insurance Fund as a significant finding in the Town's audit report.
Mr. Garrity said that his concern is that the Board of Selectmen, even though the Board of Finance knew that there was a $600,000 shortfall in the Self-Insurance Fund, was not made aware of the large shortfall in the fund, and that over the past six weeks both the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Education have used surplus, which he felt should have been returned to reserves, and approved expenditures for items such as a police car, copy machine, etc.
Mr. Kane responded that there is a lag in information regarding claims and that in any given quarter there could be a significant jump in claims.
After discussion the motion passed unanimously.
c. Review and act on request for appropriation of funds from FY 01-02 Budget Transfers in the amount of $15,000 for the retention of a design consultant to develop a facilities plan and an engineered design for an air- conditioning system at Eno Memorial Hall
Mr. Mandell made a motion, seconded by Ms. Gilkey to approve the appropriation of funds from FY 01-02 Budget Transfers in the amount of $15,000 for the retention of a design consultant to develop a facilities plan and an engineered design for an air conditioning system at Eno Memorial Hall.
Mr. Romano said, that while he is in favor of air conditioning ENO Hall, he thought the Board should consider using local resources, residents and/or businesses with expertise in this area, to evaluate the needs of the project and to recommend an appropriate system.
Mr. Garrity read a message from Ms. Mielert expressing her support for retaining a consultant to ensure proper planning of the project.
Mr. Garrity expressed his concern regarding the possible cost of the project and recommended that the project be turned over to the Public Building Committee.
Ms. Gilkey agreed with Mr. Romano and supported using local resources to consult on the project.
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September 9, 2002
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Mr. Mandell expressed his concern that if the appropriation is not acted upon, the project will lose momentum.
First Selectman Vincent clarified that the motion is worded as "up to $15,000" and does not necessarily mean this entire amount would be spent.
Mr. Romano said that Eno Hall should be air conditioned to provide comfort for the only Senior Center in Town as well as for others who use the facility, and reiterated his support for using Town residents or business for design consultation on the project.
After discussion, the motion passed with Mr. Garrity voting against.
3. REGISTRAR OF VOTERS
Authorize participation in Connecticut Voter Enhanced Registry System administered through the Office of the Secretary of State
Mr. Vincent said that the Town Attorney is working with the Counsel for the Secretary of State to finalize the agreement.
Mr. Romano made a motion to permit the Town's participation in the Connecticut Voter Enhanced Registry System and authorize the First Selectman to execute the agreement after approval by the Town Attorney. Ms. Gilkey seconded the motion.
In response to Mr. Mandell's question, Ms. Marge Diachenko, Republican Registrar of Voters, said that while there are no direct costs to the Town under the agreement, the Town would be responsible for certain indirect costs such as installation and subscription costs. Ms. Lois Calvert, Democrat Registrar of Voters, informed the Board that participation in the system may be Federally mandated.
Mr. Vincent clarified that the motion is only to approve the execution of the agreement by the First Selectman after approval of the agreement by the Town Attorney.
Mr. Garrity noted that of 169 towns and cities in Connecticut, only 25 are not currently participating in the system.
After discussion, the motion was passed unanimously.
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Board of Selectmen
September 9, 2002
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4. PUBLIC WORKS
Review request to increase fees at Bulky Waste Transfer Facility
Mr. Mandell made a motion to increase fees at Bulky Waste Transfer Facility as outlined in a memorandum from the Assistant to the First Selectman Brandon Robertson dated September 4, 2002. Mr. Garrity seconded the motion.
Mr. Vincent said if the fee increases are approved they would take effect October 1, 2002.
In response to Mr. Romano's questions, Mr. Michael Paine, operator of the Transfer Station, said that materials coming into the facility are sorted into categories, i.e. recyclables and bulky waste, and are hauled to different facilities; that over the past year dump fees have gone up for the bulky waste and non-processable materials; that the fees in Hartford are higher than the facilities that Paine's Inc. is using; that market prices for recyclables, i.e. metal, do not even cover the cost of hauling it to the facilities; and that by and large transfer station employees recognize Town residents bringing materials to the transfer stations.
Mr. Romano said he would like to see the identification sticker program reinstituted to ensure individuals, other than Town residents, are not using the facility.
After discussion, the motion passed with Mr. Romano recusing himself.
5. CORRESPONDENCE
a. Review request by the Simsbury Fire District to use Town Property for Public Safety Day
First Selectman Vincent asked for a motion to approve use of Town property for Public Safety Day on October 6, 2002, 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M., subject to the Public Gathering Permit approval process.
Mr. Mandell made a motion to approve use of Town property for Public Safety Day on October 6, 2002. The motion was seconded by Mr. Garrity and passed unanimously.
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Board of Selectmen
September 9, 2002
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b. Review request from the Farmington Valley Music Foundation to utilize Town property located behind Valley Home and Garden's parking lot for the production of the Stuart Hall Fall Music Festival on September 14th and 15th
Ms. Gilkey made a motion to approve the request of the Farmington Valley Music Foundation to use town property for the production of the Stuart Hall Fall Music Festival on September 14th and 15th. The motion was seconded by Mr. Mandell and passed unanimously.
6. SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS
Public Safety - Mr. Garrity said there is a meeting scheduled for September 19th.
7. LIAISON REPORTS
Recycling - Mr. Romano noted that the Salvation Army Clothing drop box located on Iron Horse Boulevard has become a "dumping ground."
8. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Garrity made a motion, seconded by Ms. Gilkey to approve the Minutes of the August 12, 2002 meeting. Mr. Mandell noted that his name had been spelled incorrectly under items 2b and 3a. The motion passed unanimously with the noted correction.
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Board of Selectmen
September 9, 2002
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9. ADJOURN INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS POTENTIAL SALE OF TOWN OWNED PROPERTY
Mr. Garrity made a motion, seconded by Ms. Gilkey and passed unanimously, to adjourn to Executive Session at 8:50 P.M.
The following members of the Board of Selectmen were present for the Executive Session: Thomas Vincent, John Romano, Madeleine Gilkey, William Garrity and Joel Mandell.
The following guests were present for the Executive Session: Richard Sawitzke, Town Engineer/Director of Capital Projects and Brandon Robertson, Assistant to the First Selectman.
At 9:08 p.m., William Garrity made a motion to close the Executive Session and to adjourn into regular session. John Romano seconded the motion and all were in favor.
Joel Mandell made the following motion:
Be it hereby resolved that the Board of Selectmen authorizes the First Selectman Thomas E. Vincent to issue a request for proposals for the sale of a Town owned property located at 31 Main Street, Village of Tariffville, Simsbury, Connecticut.
Be it further resolved that the Board of Selectmen authorizes the First Selectman to enter into a purchase and sale agreement with the party whose bid is deemed most advantageous for the Town as determined by Staff.
William Garrity seconded the motion and all were in favor.
William Garrity made a motion to adjourn at 9:09 p.m. John Romano seconded the motion and all were in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
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