TOWN OF SIMSBURY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
AMENDED REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 24, 2008
CALL TO ORDER
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. Present were: First Selectman Mary Glassman; Board members Moira Wertheimer, Robert Hensley, John Hampton, Michael Long and Richard Hogan. Others in attendance included Brandon Robertson, Richard Sawitzke, Hiram Peck, Gerry Toner and other interested parties.
PUBLIC AUDIENCE
Dick Bahre, Treasurer of the Simsbury Main Street Partnership introduced Mary Vincent of Vincent Funeral Home. Ms. Vincent said their building was built in 1852 as a private home. This Funeral Home has been family run for 106 years and is a full service, non-denominational home. They also have cremation services. The funeral home takes care of every detail for the families.
Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive said it is time for a Town Manager form of government. The budget is in crisis mode.
Ms. Coe said an “alcohol road” has been approved by the Board of Selectmen. She said this road was not appropriated in any budget referendum, but initiated when the restaurant applied for a liquor permit. She feels this road is being done cheaply and will be unsafe. She doesn’t understand why this road is being allowed.
Ms. Coe spoke again about the Hartford Courant article about the bullying at school. She said that the victims family was sent a letter and the kid doing the bullying was disciplined.
Ms. Coe asked if there was any further information on the alleged misconduct in the Police Department.
Ms. Coe feels the positions to be discussed in the agenda about the Library should be denied because there is a “no hire” policy in place now.
Ms. Coe also mentioned a problem with the doors at the Library.
All of Ms. Coe’s comments can be read on Simsbury.comforum.
Ms. Glassman noted that the road was presented by the Parks and Recreation Commission and Simsbury Farms Complex Committee felt that the road would be put in for safety reasons. The money would come out of their appropriation.
Ms. Glassman noted that the doors at the Library will be replaced at the contractor’s expense.
Ms. Wertheimer noted that Paine’s has been honored with the best run family business in Connecticut and she congratulated them on this honor.
Robert Wise said he gave the Selectmen a letter about his request. The Board had not had a chance to read the letter. He asked that the Board complete the contract in good faith and recognize special circumstances.
Ms. Glassman said the Board had made an offer, which Mr. Wise rejected, and they are firm in their defending litigation brought by Mr. Wise.
REPORTS OF THE FIRST SELECTMAN
Ms. Glassman reminded everyone that Simsbury Celebrates is on Saturday, November 29th at 4:30 with a parade, entertainment and time with Santa. The volunteers have done a great job preparing for this activity.
Ms. Glassman said she has not received word back from the architects on the Simsbury Farms master-plan project. There will be a meeting at the Apple Barn on December 4th at 7 p.m. where they will present preliminary findings on Simsbury Farms.
Ms. Glassman said the Board will have updates on the Farmington Valley Trails and Home Connecticut programs. CROGG made the Board aware that there was stimulus money available and application was made for this money.
Ms. Glassman said the Charrette Sub-Committee met today. Three consultants met the threshold and two were asked to sharpen their pencils on this project. There will be an update at the next Board meeting.
ACTION ITEMS
a) Review, discuss and possibly adopt minutes from the Regular Meeting held on November 10, 2008.
Mr. Long made motion: “Resolved, the Board of Selectmen hereby adopts the regular meeting minutes of the meeting held on November 10, 2008.” Mr. Hampton seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
b) Receive update regarding upcoming closing on Meadowood Triangle and review, discuss and possibly take action regarding disposition of structure on the property including possible recommendation of a transfer from reserves pursuant to Section 909 ©) of the Town Charter for demolition and disposal costs.
Ms. Glassman said the closing for this property will be on November 25th at 2:30 and there was no bonding.
There was some discussion on the building on the property. Ms. Sawitzke said the structure is in pretty good shape and the Board should reserve judgement on whether or not to tear it down.
After discussion, Mr. Long made motion to accept a $10,000 donation from Culbro and authorize up to $10,000 to clean up and secure the property at the Meadowood Triangle. Mr. Hensley seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
c. Review, discuss and possibly authorize the purchase of a vehicle for use by the Department of Culture, Parks and Recreation to replace a vehicle that was totaled by the Town’s insurance carrier.
Ms. Glassman noted that the Town received $9,990 in settlement for the vehicle that was destroyed in an accident. Mr. Long asked about the vehicle plowing different parts of Town and the Board will look into this further.
Mr. Hampton made motion: “Resolved, the Board of Selectmen hereby authorizes the expenditure of funds in an amount not to exceed $15,000, which includes the $9,990 insurance settlement, for the purpose of purchasing a vehicle for use by the Department of Culture, Parks and Recreation to replace a vehicle that was totaled in an accident.” Mr. Hogan seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
d) Review, discuss and possibly take action regarding tax corrections requested and recommended by the Tax Collector.
Mr. Hogan made motion: “Resolved, the Board of Selectmen hereby approves tax refunds in the amount of $6,139.37 as recommended and requested by the Tax Collector.” Mr. Hampton seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS
a) Personnel
Review, discuss and possibly take action regarding filling vacant positions at the Simsbury Public Library.
Mr. Long noted that the Sub-Committee discussed different options and staff at the Library.
They also looked at what other Towns do with Library staff. The Learning Center Technician will be funded by a grant from the Hartford Foundation.
Mr. Long made motion: “Resolved, the Board of Selectmen hereby approves a recommendation by the Personnel Sub-Committee to fill two part-time assistant positions for the circulation desk and a position for the Technology Learning Center technician as recommended by the Simsbury Public Library.” Mr. Hampton seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
Review, discuss and possibly take action regarding expenditure limits for out of State travel.
Mr. Long said there was discussion about out of state travel. The Sub-Committee feels they should approve travel from $150 and up. There is no motion needed for this.
Mr. Long noted that there are also some classes that the staff need to take such as the Water Pollution Control Authority going to Boston at an estimated expense of $300. Ms. Glassman said the Board will look at different issues over $150 separately.
b) Finance
There is no report at this time.
c) Welfare
There is no report at this time.
d) Public Safety
Review, discuss and possibly set a date for a public hearing pursuant to Section 404 of the Town Charter to receive public comment regarding proposed ordinance entitled “Proposed Ordinance, Adult Oriented Businesses”
Mr. Hampton said the Public Safety Sub-Committee did discuss the Town adopting an ordinance about adult oriented businesses. They would like an ordinance about these businesses. They would like to set up a public hearing about this issue.
Ms. Glassman noted that the Zoning Commission will be discussing this issue and reporting back to the Board. After some discussion, the Board decided to wait to hear back from the Zoning Commission.
APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
a) Review, discuss and possibly accept the resignation of Ann Walters Thompson as an alternate member of the Aging and Disability Commission and appoint Ann Walters Thompson as a full member of same.
Ms. Wertheimer made motion: “Resolved, the Board of Selectmen hereby accepts the resignation of Ann Walters Thompson as an alternate member of the Aging and Disability Commission and appoints Ms. Walters Thompson as a full time member of same.” Mr. Long seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
b) Review, discuss and possibly accept the resignation of Glenn Knierim as a member of the Board of Ethics.
Mr. Hensley made motion: “Resolved, the Board of Selectmen hereby accepts the resignation of Glenn Knierim as a member of the Board of Ethics.” Ms. Wertheimer seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
MISCELLANEOUS
a) Review, discuss and possibly approve a request for a “Waiver of Potential Conflict - Stop and Shop as submitted by Updike, Kelly and Spellacy.
Mr. Long made motion: “Resolved, the Board of Selectmen hereby consents to the representation of Stop and Shop by the Law Firm of Updike, Kelly and Spellacy as requested by the Town Attorney in a letter dated November 20, 2008 with the Town taking prescience with any other representations.” Mr. Hogan seconded the motion. Four were in favor with Mr. Hensley and Ms. Wertheimer opposed. Therefore, the motion passed.
b) Report regarding request by Restaurant Operator at Simsbury Farms Complex for Town’s consent to filing of Zoning Application to allow the sale of beer and wine.
Mr. Long feels that a contract is needed with the operator before consenting to the sale of beer and wine. Also, insurance issues need to be checked into. Mr. Toner will get a proposal from the operator and present it to the Board at the December meeting.
Mr. Hogan would like to know what kind of permit they will be applying for and what kind of alcohol will be served. He would also like to know how the road will work.
If there are any further questions that need to be looked in to, please e-mail Mr. Hensley about them.
c) Report regarding proposal from Simsbury Farms Men’s Golf Club for Golf Course Tee Box Signs at Simsbury Farms Golf Course.
Ms. Glassman said the Parks and Recreation Commission is working on this proposal and it will be presented at the next meeting. There is an advertising policy already in place.
LIAISON REPORTS
Ms. Hensley said that Mr. Ryan at the Performing Arts Center Board gave the Board very good financial reporting . They will need to be studied and feedback is needed.
Ms. Wertheimer said the Aging and Disability Commission is concerned about full service gas stations closing in Town. They are looking at self-serve stations designating certain days to get gas pumped and maybe days where they can explain how to pump gas.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. Hensley made motion: “Resolved, the Board of Selectmen hereby adjourns to executive session at 8:45 p.m. for purposes of discussing collective bargaining and pending claims and litigation.” Ms. Wertheimer seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
The Board of Selectmen, Robert DeCrescenzo, Town Attorney and Brandon Robertson, Director of Administrative Services, were present in the Executive Session.
First Selectman Glassman excused herself from the Executive Session when the Pending Claim/Pending Litigation-CHFA v. CIL & Eno Farms Cooperative Association was discussed.
ADJOURN FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. Hampton made a motion to adjourn from Executive Session at 9:05 p.m. The motion was seconded by Mr. Long and all were in favor. No action on items discussed in Executive Session was taken.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Hampton made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:06 p.m. Mr. Long seconded the motion and all were in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary A. Glassman
First Selectman
| 
