These minutes are for informational purposes only. For official minutes, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office.
TOWN OF SIMSBURY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
REGULAR MEETING
MAY 28, 2003
CALL TO ORDER
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order at 7:43 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices on May 28, 2003. Present were the First Selectman Thomas Vincent, Board Members Joel Mandell, John Romano, Anita Mielert, William Garrity and Madeleine Gilkey. The Assistant to the First Selectman Brandon Robertson and other interested parties were also present.
Mr. Vincent asked to add an item under the Finance section of the agenda. Ms. Banco and Ms. Howard from the Tourism Committee would like to make a presentation. Mr. Mandell made the motion to add the item to the agenda and Ms. Mielert seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Ms. Mielert made a motion to add another item to the agenda to discuss without action the policy concerning an upcoming concert under the Recreation section. The motion was seconded and all were in favor.
PUBLIC AUDIENCE
Board of Selectmen member William Garrity asked a question concerning validating act. Mr. Vincent responded that legislation was necessary and there will be no impact on capital improvement projects.
FINANCE
REVIEW AND ACT ON CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE TAX COLLECTOR REGARDING TAX REFUNDS
Mr. Vincent asked for a motion to approve the refunds in the amount of $1,718.83 from the Tax Collector from the period covering April 28, 2003 through May 28, 2003. Mr. Garrity made a motion and Ms. Gilkey seconded the motion. All were in favor.
PRESENTATION FROM THE TOURISM COMMITTEE CONCERNING USE OF PRIVATE FUNDING AND USE OF A PASS THROUGH ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT
Ms. Joyce Howard, 116 Terry's Plain Road, co chair for the Tourism committee, talked about the success of the Simsbury Visitor Center, recent town budget cut of the center, and area groups interested in making financial contributions for the Visitor Center to keep it going. Liz Banco, co-chair for the Tourism committee, asked for the Board of Selectmen approval of a resolution for them to continue to seek donations and have an account set up for their group so they may deposit the donations.
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Mr. Vincent explained the type of account needed for the committee so they may accept and collect checks.
Mr. Mandell made a motion to approve the use of a pass through account for sums solicited and received by the Tourism Committee for the purpose of supporting the Visitor Center. Ms. Gilkey seconded the motion. Ms. Mielert commended the Visitor Center's chairwomen and requested that the Board revisits the group in six months to check progress. Mr. Mandell confirmed that individuals as well as businesses can contribute. All were in favor.
TOWN CLERK
REVIEW AND POSSIBLY APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF WETH-BLOOM, MILVAE, & BIRMINGHAM ASSOCIATES TO PERFORM THE EXAMINATION OF INDEXES AND INSPECTIONS OF LAND RECORDS
First Selectman Vincent asked the Board members to review and possibly approve the appointment of Weth-Bloom, Milvae, and Birmingham Associates to perform the examination of land records for price of $2,700. Mr. Mandell read the resolution and Mr. Garrity seconded.
REVIEW AND POSSIBLY AUTHORIZE THE FIRST SELECTMAN TO APPLY FOR A HISTORIC PRESERVATION GRANT FROM THE CONNECTICUT STATE LIBRARY IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,000
Mr. Vincent asked the Board to review and possibly authorize the First Selectman to apply for a historic preservation grant from the Connecticut State Library in the amount of $7,000.00. The purpose of the grant is to evaluate current storage and preservation of documents. Mr. Mandell read the resolution and Mr. Romano seconded. All were in favor.
RECREATION
REVIEW, CONSIDER, AND POSSIBLY ACT ON REQUEST FROM THE TALCOTT MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL FOR THE ADDITION OF AN ALTERNATE DATE OF JULY 20TH IN THE EVENT THAT JULY 18TH IS CANCELED
Mr. Vincent requested a motion to act on a request from the Talcott Mountain Music Festival for the addition of an alternate date of July 20th in the event that July 18th is canceled. Ms. Gilkey made the motion to approve the alternate date addition. Mr. Mandell seconded the motion and Mr. Vincent, Mr. Mandell, Mr. Romano, Mr. Garrity,
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and Ms. Gilkey all approved. Ms. Mielert abstained from the vote since she is on the Board of Directors for the Hartford Symphony.
REVIEW AND DISCUSS POSSIBLY CONCERT AT SIMSBURY MEADOWS
Ms. Mielert discussed with the Board the finances and scope of the facility. Thoughts were to imitate the Simsbury Farms Special Revenue Fund and possible use of a full time seasonal employee. Additional possibilities for the facility were discussed in two documents distributed by Ms. Mielert.
Ms. Mielert also briefly discussed a second document that concerns the request for a state grant and the funding of the entire park to include a back stage, storage building, and parking. Ms. Gilkey mentioned previous discussions about this issue during Capital Improvement Budget discussions. Mr. Garrity understood this as the beginning of a planning process for the area. Mr. Mandell mentioned possibilities for dealing with other groups coming in to perform and suggests starting to deal with this at the next meeting. Mr. Romano thinks it is important to move forward on this issue. Ms. Mielert explores idea of starting up a Culture Department separate from Simsbury Farms. Ms. Mielert proposed many ideas and policies that will be needed. Mr. Vincent suggested reading the
documents handed out tonight and if there is a need for a meeting before June 9, 2003, the Board would be notified. A presentation from the group interested in sponsoring the event will be coming up.
RESIGNATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
Mr. Romano made a motion to add item "s" on the agenda under Resignations and Appointments for the possible appointment or Kathy Martin to the Ethics Commission. Mr. Mandell seconded the motion and all were in favor.
DISCUSSION CONCERNING PROCESS FOR APPOINTING UNAFFILIATED VOTERS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
Mr. Vincent explained the unaffiliated voter process. Mr. Vincent asked Board members for discussion concerning the process for appointing unaffiliated voters to boards and commissions. Mr. Mandell expressed the continued need to develop a process for the appointment of unaffiliated voters. Ms. Gilkey confirmed that not every board and commission has an opening for unaffiliated representation. At this time the Board of Ethics does have a vacancy for unaffiliated voters. Mr. Mandell thinks that the discussion is for a policy on dealing with unaffiliated voters. Ms. Gilkey asked if this requires a change to the charter. Ms. Mielert explained the charter. Mr. Garrity suggested coming up with a plan to involve the large number of unaffiliated voters. Mr. Vincent explained
the sub-committee role and the need. Ms. Mielert agrees with the need for guidelines and agreed to help write them up later in the summer with Mr. Mandell.
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Ms. Mielert made a motion to table items "n" and "r" under the Resignations and Appointments section of the agenda. Mr. Garrity seconded the motion. All were in favor.
REVIEW AND ACCEPT RESIGNATION OF VICTORIA ROGERS AS AN ALTERNATE ON THE DESIGN AND REVIEW BOARD
Mr. Mandell made a motion to review and accept the resignation of Victoria Rogers as an alternate on the Design and Review Board. Mr. Romano seconded the motion and all were in favor.
REVIEW AND POSSIBLY APPOINT LYNN R. VEITH AS A FULL MEMBER OF THE AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION
Mr. Mandell made a motion to appoint Lynn R. Veith as a full member of the Aging and Disability Commission. Ms. Gilkey seconded the motion and all were in favor.
REVIEW AND POSSIBLY APPOINT DAVID BALBONI TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Mr. Mandell made a motion to appoint David Balboni to the Economic Development Commission. Ms. Gilkey seconded the motion and all were in favor.
REVIEW AND POSSIBLY RE-APPOINT CHARLOTTE STEPTOE TO THE AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION
Mr. Romano made a motion to re-appoint Charlotte Steptoe to the Aging and Disability Commission. Mr. Mandell seconded the motion and all were in favor.
REVIEW AND POSSIBLY RE-APPOINT KATHLEEN FALLON AS AN ALTERNATE TO THE AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION
Mr. Romano made a motion to re-appoint Kathleen Fallon as an alternate to the Aging and Disability Commission. Mr. Mandell seconded the motion and all were in favor.
REVIEW AND POSSIBLY RE-APPOINT GRACE COMEAU AS AN ALTERNATE TO THE AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION
Mr. Romano made a motion to re-appoint Grace Comeau as an alternate to the Aging and Disability Commission. Ms. Gilkey seconded the motion and all were in favor.
REVIEW AND POSSIBLY RE-APPOINT MARGARET DONOHUE TO THE TAX RELIEF COMMITTEE
Mr. Romano made a motion to re-appoint Margaret Donohue to the Tax Relief Committee. Ms. Gilkey seconded the motion and all were in favor.
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REVIEW AND POSSIBLY RE-APPOINT HOLLY CROWTHER TO THE SIMSBURY FARMS COMPLEX COMMITTEE
Ms. Mielert made a motion to re-appoint Holly Crowther to the Simsbury Farms Complex Committee. Mr. Romano seconded the motion and all were in favor.
REVIEW AND POSSIBLY RE-APPOINT LORRY SCHWARTZ TO THE SIMSBURY HOUSING AUTHORITY
Ms. Mielert made a motion to re-appoint Lorry Schwartz to the Simsbury Housing Authority. Mr. Romano seconded the motion and all were in favor.
REVIEW AND POSSIBLY RE-APPOINT WILLIAM TYSZKA TO THE BOARD OF ETHICS
Ms. Mielert made a motion to re-appoint William Tyszka to the Board of Ethics. Mr. Romano seconded the motion and all were in favor.
REVIEW AN DPOSSIBLY RE-APPOINT PRISCILLA BERGETHON TO THE AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION
Mr. Garrity made a motion to re-appoint Priscilla Bergethon to the Aging and Disability Commission. Mr. Vincent seconded the motion and all were in favor.
REVIEW AND POSSIBLY APPOINT JOHN HAMPTON TO THE AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION
Mr. Garrity made a motion to appoint John Hampton to the Aging and Disability Commission.
Ms. Mielert seconded the motion and all were in favor.
REVIEW AND POSSIBLY RE-APPOINT WILLIAM NOVAK TO THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Mr. Garrity made a motion to re-appoint William Novak to the Conservation Commission. Ms. Gilkey seconded the motion and all were in favor.
REVIEW AND POSSIBLY RE-APPOINT ROBERT CASSOT TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Ms. Gilkey made a motion to re-appoint Robert Cassot to the Economic Development Commission. Ms. Mielert seconded the motion and all were in favor.
REVIEW AND POSSIBLY RE-APPOINT MICHAEL LONG TO THE POLICE COMMISSION
Ms. Gilkey made a motion to re-appoint Michael Long to the Police Commission. Mr. Romano seconded the motion. All were in favor.
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REVIEW AND POSSIBLY APPOINT KATHY MARTIN TO THE ETHICS COMMISSION
Ms. Gilkey made a motion to appoint Kathy Martin to the Ethics Commission. Ms. Mielert asked to table this appointment since it refers to an unaffiliated voter. Mr. Vincent explained this unaffiliated position is one of two. Ms. Gilkey explained previous decisions to not replace unaffiliated voters simply because their term was up. This time there is a valid opening. Mr. Garrity explained that others have voiced opinion about the position and suggests holding off until a policy is in place in few months. Mr. Mandell made the case for this unaffiliated voter's long waiting for the position. The motion to table was defeated four to two. Mr. Garrity mentioned this has nothing to do with the appointee personally.
Ms. Gilkey's original motion to appoint Kathy Martin to the Ethics Commission was seconded by Mr. Romano. Four were in favor and two were opposed.
CORRESPONDENCE
REVIEW, DISCUSS AND POSSIBLY APPROVE A REQUEST FROM THE SIMSBURY REPUBLICAN TOWN COMMITTEE TO SERVE WINE AT AN EVENT SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 6, 2003
Mr. Vincent requested a motion to review, discuss, and possibly approve a request from the Simsbury Republican Town Committee to serve wine at an event scheduled for June 6, 2003 at Eno Memorial Hall. Mr. Mandell made a motion and Ms. Gilkey seconded. Mr. Mandell mentioned he has no problem with the request. All were in favor.
SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS
PERSONNEL
First Selectman Tom Vincent, requested Mr. Mandell to review the recommendations from the Personnel Sub-Committee. Mr. Vincent asked to recuse himself.
REVIEW, DISCUSS, AND POSSIBLY APPROVE RETROACTIVE MERIT PERFORMANCE INCREASES FOR NON-BARGAINING EMPLOYEES FOR FY02-03
Mr. Mandell made a motion to approve the retroactive merit performance increases for non-bargaining employees for FY 02-03. Mr. Mandell explained this information is under Exhibit C in the recently updated memo from May 20, 2003 under the highlighted selections. Mr. Mandell gave examples from the enclosed chart in the memo to help explain the merit performance increases. Mr. Romano seconded the motion. Discussion among board members ensued concerning the merit performance increases. Items
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discussed included average increases and a description of the increases. All were in favor and approved the increases for FY 02-03.
REVIEW, DISCUSS AND POSSIBLY APPROVE THE GRADING EVALUATIONS FOR NON-BARGAINING EMPLOYEES FOR FY 02-03
Mr. Mandell made a motion to approve the grade evaluations for FY 02-03 non-bargaining employees. Ms. Mielert seconded the motion. All were in favor.
REVIEW, DISCUSS, AND POSSIBLY APPROVE PROPOSED SALARY RANGES, GENERAL WAGE, AND MERIT PERFORMANCE INCREASES FOR NON BARGAINING EMPLOYEES FOR FY 03-04
Mr. Mandell made a motion to approve the Crossing Guard wage increase for 2003-2004. Mr. Romano seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Mr. Mandell made a motion to approve the Registrar of Voters wage increase for 2003-2004. Ms. Mielert seconded the motion. Mr. Garrity voices his opinion for a tough year and asks to have the non-bargaining employees three percent increase be denied. Ms. Mielert would like to support the general wage increase but does not support the bonus increases which is not being brought before the board tonight. Mr. Garrity disagrees and would compromise with 3 percent increase in bonus versus the general wage increase. Ms. Gilkey stressed that although there may not be increases we are thankful to have no lay offs. Mr. Romano noted concerns for increases and his dislike for bonuses. Mr. Mandell does not want the town's supervisors treated unfairly because a union does not represent
them. Mr. Mandell also brought up the First Selectman's negotiation with the group and their increase in co-pays for medical insurance.
Mr. Mandell supports the increase. Mr. Mandell reminds the board that the motion is to approve the Registrar of Voters wage increase for 2003-2004.
Mr. Garrity goes back to the town comparison charts and thinks Simsbury employees are doing great comparatively and would like to table the motion to discuss further. Ms. Mielert agrees. Mr. Mandell would not like to table this too long. Mr. Mandell asked for a motion to table the possible approval of proposed salary ranges, general wage, and merit performance increases for non-bargaining employees for FY 03-04. Mr. Romano seconded the motion and all were in favor to table the item.
Mr. Mandell updates the First Selectman on their decision to table the previous motion.
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REVIEW, DISCUSS, AND POSSIBLY APPROVE JOB DESCRIPTION FOR LIBRARY CIRCULATION PAGE
Mr. Mandell made a motion to approve a job description for Library Circulation Page. Ms. Mielert seconded the motion. It was unanimously approved by the personnel sub-committee. He explained we have had Pages in the library but have not had a job description. All were in favor.
REVIEW, DISCUSS, AND POSSIBLY APPROVE THE JOB DESCRIPTION FOR PART-TIME CLERK IN THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Mr. Mandell made a motion to approve the job description for the part-time clerk in the Engineering Department. It was unanimously approved by the personnel sub-committee. Mr. Garrity seconded the motion and all were in favor.
REVIEW, DISCUSS AND POSSIBLY APPROVE THE REVISED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT
Mr. Mandell made a motion to approve the revised job description for the golf course superintendent. It was unanimously approved by the personnel sub-committee and was the description was presented to the Union with no objections. Mr. Garrity seconded the motion and all were in favor.
REVIEW, DISCUSS AND POSSIBLY APPROVE TECHNICAL CHANGE TO RECORDS SUPERVISOR FROM GRADE E1 TO GRADE A3
Mr. Mandell made a motion to approve the technical change to the records supervisor from grade E1 to Grade A3. This was negotiated by the First Selectman and the Union. Mr. Garrity seconded the motion and all were in favor.
LIAISON REPORTS
None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE APRIL 28, 2003 MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Mr. Vincent requested a motion to approve the minutes from the April 28, 2003 regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Romano made the motion and Ms. Mielert seconded the motion. All were in favor with one abstention. Mr. Garrity was not at the meeting.
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APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE MAY 20, 2003 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Mr. Vincent requested a motion to approve the minutes from the May 20, 2003 special meeting of the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Gilkey made the motion and Ms. Mielert seconded the motion. All were in favor with two abstentions. Ms. Gilkey and Mr. Mandell were not at the meeting.
ADJOURN INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. Vincent asked for a motion to adjourn the regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen and move into Executive Session to discuss strategy and negotiations with respect to collective bargaining agreements.
Ms. Mielert made the motion and Ms. Gilkey seconded the motion. The Board of Selectmen adjourned into executive session at 9:19 a.m. All were in favor.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board of Selectmen, the Assistant to the First Selectman and Labor Counsel for the Town were present for the Executive Session.
ADJOURN FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 9:35 p.m., Thomas Vincent requested a motion to adjourn from the Executive Session. Madeleine Gilkey seconded the motion. All were in favor. At 9:36 p.m., Deputy First Selectman, Joel Mandell made the following motion: Be it hereby resolved that the Board of Selectmen hereby authorizes the First Selectman, Thomas E. Vincent, to enter into a collective bargaining agreement with the Connecticut Independent Labor Union, Local #20, Simsbury Public Works and Parks Association, with revisions and recommendations as outlined by Labor Counsel in Executive Session. Madeleine Gilkey seconded the motion and all were in favor.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:38 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted, _____________________________
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