Board of Selectmen Meeting April 24, 2017

Board of Selectmen Meeting April 24, 2017

As a taxpayer of more than 50 years, I am concerned that First Selectman Lisa Heavner is governing by trying to please everyone leading to a failed leadership and wasted money. The First Selectman’s Office has become a “Do Not Offend Zone,” with inappropriate agenda items for the Board of Selectmen to approve.

Dave Ryan, on Democratic Town Committee and President of the Performing Arts has continued to ask for reductions in fees to the town, a $15,000 high end golf cart, a failed Senior Center at The Meadows by calling it a Community Center where the Performing Arts could entertain their guests and now a permanent ticket booth. If approved, they say they will raise the money but a short-fall is inevitable. A permanent ticket booth for 2 months of ticket sales that does not allow the handicapped safe access is an inappropriate use of town land. The temporary trailer has served its purpose over the years and removing it to reduce their costs is unreasonable. It appears that the taxpayers are being asked to subsidize a failed 501(c ) 3. If Dave Ryan’s Performing Arts is losing money, then the town should use the facility for the benefit of the taxpayers and eliminate this venue.

Recently, First Selectman Lisa Heavner proposed that C-Tec Solar, a fledgling company, would gift the Community Farm with Solar Panels. This would be another gift that was approved for C-Tec Solar to place solar panels on the ISCC. When C-Tec Solar came before the Board of Selectmen for an abatement of their property taxes for the panels, First Selectman Lisa Heavner lobbied for their abatement for ½ hour. Now First Selectman Lisa Heavner appears to approve another gift from C-Tec Solar for the Community Farm although they have not paid over $44,000 in taxes. Nobody who is delinquent in taxes should do business with the town with a gift or application.

Recently First Selectman Lisa Heavner overheard my conversation that it was inappropriate for the Town to do business with C-Tec Solar when they haven’t paid their taxes. I discussed the fact that the Board of Education was originally going to use C-Tec Solar for the panels at the High School but changed vendors when I alerted them that they hadn’t paid their taxes. It appears that First Selectman Lisa Heavner embraces the gift, not to offend C-Tec Solar and is willing to ignore the fact that they haven’t paid their taxes. First Selectman Lisa Heavner sent me an email with alternative facts about the Board of Education’s present vendor…no need to respond.

Recently the Simsbury Ambulance asked for an $80,000 gift for an ambulance. The Ambulance Association receives money from the Insurance companies and other sources. The President of the Association, Michael Delahanty receives a salary of $141, 788 according to their tax return and they have assets of $1,660,948. Michael Delehanty was refused by the Fire Department for the hand-out. However, when he came before the Board of Selectmen the $80,000 was approved. The Board of Finance after much deliberation decided to give him a gift of $50,000 for the ambulance. It appears that the taxpayers of Simsbury gift businesses with failed financial planning.

Now we are being asked to pay for an addition to Eno Hall for a Senior Center where there is no consensus that it is needed. Additional space of 1600 sq.ft. of would be provided if SCTV would move to the basement of the Library with 2900 sq. ft. of space. This would reduce the Capital expenditures by $6 million dollars and be a long-term solution to space accommodation at Eno Hall. This move is off the table because First Selectman Lisa Heavner does not want to offend the Friends of the Library and is willing to ask the taxpayers to pay for her failed leadership.

I would like to know why First Selectman Lisa Heavner has not demolished the Town’s Barn on Firetown Road? This Barn is in violation of the Blight Ordinance since it is a public nuisance with the ability to enter the barn through the front hole. There is wire and boards that are dangerous at the entry. I will file a complaint with the Zoning Enforcement Officer.

Now that the Personnel Sub-Committee is going to interview the three applicants for consulting for a Town Manager, The Randy Frank LLC does not appear to be of the same quality.

The Town Manager’s job description should include a residency requirement. It is necessary to have a Town Manager reside in the town to assimilate with the residents and be an integral part of the community. The First Selectmen should not receive any salary in keeping with other towns with Town Managers. There is nothing in the Charter that mandates a salary for service.