Board of Selectmen Meeting June 10, 2013 My Comments

Board of Selectmen June 10, 2013

As a taxpayer I am concerned the way the Town allocates our tax dollars. Spending $204, 000 to discuss a Senior Center that nobody knows where it should go or whether it is needed or wanted  is a waste of time and money. Recently the qualified seniors were given a reduction in taxes and now this administration is discussing spending $8 million for a Senior Center which will raise the taxes that they can’t afford. The library has evolved into a community center a perfect place for the Seniors and this facility has been ignored in the discussions. An $8 million facility also has overhead costs that will increase taxes. This administration should not allocate tax dollars because it is their turn. We should not allocate tax dollars by giving lobbying groups turns with tax dollars. This administration is spending tax dollars to study what to do with the The Hartford which will eventually demolish their building, leave town and the Grand List will be reduced by millions of dollars, not a good time for increased expenditures. Simsbury’s taxes are the highest in the valley and an $ 8 million expenditure is not conducive to economic development. It appears to me that this exercise of discussions and surveys is pandering for seniors votes at an election year.  Now is not the time for increasing expenditures. There are facilities that could accommodate the Seniors needs that would have minimal costs. It is time to explore those opportunities.

This administration spent money for a study to review the performing arts facility and report their findings to this board. Webb Management Services findings were, “ the venue is not effectively utilized, marketed or programmed; while the PAC should not be straining Town resources (particularly Public Works, Culture, Parks and Recreation and Maintenance,) it should not be seen as a potential profit center.” The facility is grossly understaffed, with no dedicated full-time professionals; the PAC Board would benefit from the inclusion of additional members with particular areas of expertise around facility management, marketing, fundraising and entertainment law.”  At this point the board should not approve the PAC as a 501 C 3. The same people who were noted in the consultant report as ineffective and lacking in professionalism are the same people and will only add another layer of incompetence with no accountability as a non-profit.   How many concerts similar to the Flaming Lips concerts will be coming to Simsbury? These concerts might make money but will strain the police department’s resources and volunteer medical staff.  Simsbury cannot afford to strain our police staff to a point that the department has increased Workmen’s Compensation filings.  This administration has failed in other attempts to give away town land for the use of non-profits such as The Communiity Farm of Simsbury that is inconsistent with the Eno Trust, the Eno Farms Affordable Housing that allegedly was a fraudulent operation with allegations of embezzlement and misappropriation of funds and finally was foreclosed for non-payment of the mortgages. This administration has constantly distanced themselves by not taking responsibility for taking action but passing the buck and blame to others. This administration needs more information on the mission and vision of the PAC non-profit. It is time for this administration to take responsibility for their actions. Read the 44 page report generated by the Webb Management Services consultant report before you give away another town facility placing the town at risk.

Now that this administration has taken all the stops out to make the town bicycle friendly, I am concerned the many of the bicycle riders are totally clueless as to their responsibilities on the road. A person on a bicycle has to obey the same rules as vehicles. It appears from my observation that the bicycle riders do not stop at stop signs or traffic lights. When they are riding their bikes they should not expect traffic to stop in a crosswalk since they are not a pedestrian. When they dismount their bike and walk alongside their bikes they are then considered pedestrians. Many of these bicyclists are clueless as to the rules of the road. The Simsbury Police Department should enforce the rules of the road not only for motor vehicles but bicyclists too.  Simsbury has many country roads that are not conducive to sharing the roads with bicycles. Safety should be first and the Simsbury Police Department should enforce the laws of the road for bicyclists. Another area of concern is the entrance and exit onto the  State parking lot at Winslow Place and all the feeder roads onto Route 10/202 in that area. There are also pedestrian crossing markings, leaving that area over congested and unsafe for vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians. This traffic pattern should be reviewed for safety.

Recently I received an email from First Selectman Mary Glassman which stated, “Joan, Thanks for your phone call. I have an update on the Richman issue. Town building inspector Henry Miga has referred it to town attorney for enforcement. We will keep you updated.” Dave Richman owns the building at 730 Hop Meadow  Street that has not been in compliance for many years. The building inspector has placed  a Notice of Noncompliance on the Land Records  to force Richman to comply, to no avail. However, stating now that the building inspector will contact the Town Attorney is just more of the same since a letter was sent to Dave Richman from the Town Attorney, Re:  Building Code Enforcement Proceedings on October 26, 2012 The letter states, “ I have been asked to outline court enforcement proceedings available to the Building Official, Firs Marshall, and Zoning Enforcement Officer to resolve outstanding issues. Court action to achieve full compliance will the orders will be a lengthy, expensive process for both parties. I urge you to take corrective actions necessary to avoid further action. Since Richman  has ignored all threats it is time to take Richman to court for compliance.  The court is the last resort and it is time to implement your threat with court action. I am awaiting First Selectman Mary Glassman’s update.

The last Board of Selectmen meeting was held in Eno Hall. This was a Special meeting which meant that only the stated issues on the agenda could be discussed. This board has served for many years and should know that agenda items at Special Meetings cannot be added at the meeting. At the last meeting First Selectman Mary Glassman asked the board to vote to add an item to the agenda. All the members voted for the change. This was an illegal vote.  First Selectman Mary Glassman should not have requested a change in the agenda and the board  members who  have  served on the board for many years should have rejected the request. However, a member of the public had to question the vote and finally eliminate that agenda item. How can Simsbury residents elect members of this legislative  board, several who are attorneys, who are ignorant of the laws that govern public meetings?

Does First Selectman Mary Glassman have an update on when or if Biy Y is breaking ground in Simsbury?