Board of Selectmen Meeting May 28, 2014: My Comments [OPINION]

Board of Selectmen May 28, 2014

At the May 12, 2014 Board of Selectmen meeting there was much discussion with the Chamber about using business logos or names on the banners. The Board rejected having private businesses advertised on the banner. However, First Selectman Mary Glassman has erected a poster on Town Hall property advertising C-Tec Solar. Why this private businesses? This board has embraced the use of solar energy and has promoted Mary Glassman’s neighbor, Gene Rosenberg from Bob’s Furniture Store  and his son, as the sole solar business for Simsbury. It appears that the business address for C-Tec Solar is 28 Pinnacle Mountain Road , Rosenberg’s residence and 542 Hopmeadow Street where they have a Post Office Box at the UPS store. It appears that this is a shell company where a rich father is funding a business for his son, Michael Greenberg.  Since this Board is promoting this shell business with Town resources, with a show of hands, how many Selectmen have solar panels on their homes?  This is another hypocritical policy that this board has promoted.  If it is good enough for town residents to make this expenditure, why not this board? Since the C-Tec Solar poster does not meet the criteria for compliance with this board’s policy, I would like to have it removed from Town property and the permit canceled.

During the budget process, I observed that funding the Simsbury Police Department was not a priority for this board. It appears from my observations the department is short on staff, using other town police departments doing traffic on road projects and ever increasing organizational events with many participants. These police officers from other towns are not familiar with town roads and traffic policies, leading to long traffic lines and communication issues. It appears that there is a shortage in ambulance staffing, having the Dispatchers asking for other town resources to provide transport to various hospitals with a delay in service. All officers in the Police Department are first responders and are able to provide immediate care to stabilize the patient until the ambulance arrives, but time is important. I was recently at the Police Department near the Record Room where there was a note stating that the record department was closed until 1 PM. A man, after travelling 1 hour to the Police Department, was panicked because he needed a report immediately to give to immigration so they wouldn’t deport him. According to the sign, he would have to wait another ½ hour for the opening. I called the department and someone was asked to give this man his report so he wouldn’t have to wait and cause a serious delay. This was due to cuts in the Police Department. When office hours are noted at Town Hall, all departments should have staff to serve the public during published office hours. Cuts in the budget for Public Safety could have serious consequences.  Public Safety should be the Town’s first priority.

During the Police arbitration hearing on the Police  Pension Fund ,  it was  noted  that the town had continued to deduct money from the  Police Officers  pay checks  after they were  fully vested in  their pension, year after year. All money was required to be returned to the Officers out of the pension Fund with 5% interest. Why the oversight?

There is a lawsuit filed in Town Hall with a tax appeal from Dyno-Nobel  Industries, 632  Hopmeadow Street,  for a reduction of their taxes. Presently they pay $11,049,500. It is interesting to note that Pullman & Comley is the Law Firm for this appeal. First Selectman Mary Glassman’s husband is a member of this law firm. Does First Selectman Mary Glassman have a conflict of interest? Any loss of money on this appeal will lower the Grand List.

Recently there was a letter to the editor in the Hartford Courant,with the headline,  Legalizing  Marijuana?, states, “there are numerous studies in New York and New Zealand on the negative effects of marijuana. The substance could alter genes.  THC in  1960 was about 2% according to the Drug Enforcement Administration, today the average joint is 12%. One of the studies at Columbia has documented some of the side effects increased likelihood of cancer, impaired immune system, earlier onset of psychoses. Marijuana affects your brain. Should we be exploring a relationship to autism? No proven health benefit exists for marijuana. Last year the DEA released this statement,” Legalization of marijuana, no matter how it begins, will come at the expense of our children and public safety. It will create dependency and treatment issues, and open the door to use of other drugs, impaired health, delinquent behavior and drugged drivers.”  This will be First Selectman Mary Glassman’s legacy.

I recently called the Farmington Valley Health Department and asked if they were going to inspect the Marijuana Factory. I was told that all inspections will be under the direction of the Consumer Protection Agency.   The Health department with all their  professional experience is excluded from the process. What experience does Consumer Protection have in food preparation and dispensing medical marijuana?

Recently there was an  advertisement in the Yankee Flyer for Digishot Operators from Dyno-Nobel Inc. , a leader in the manufacture of explosive products at the Simsbury plant.  The manufacture of these blasting materials are in close proximity to the Medical Marijuana Plant and the upscale residential community at Grist Mill Road. This blasting product is required to be transported as a hazardous material.  Is this appropriate Town Planning?

It is time for Simsbury residents to demand professional management under the direction of a Town Manager.