Board of Selectmen Meeting February 15, 2017

Board of Selectmen Meeting February 15, 2017

At the last meeting First Selectman Lisa Heavner, who is more interested in strict adherence to the 5 minute rule, than allowing me to make a public service announcement concerning the Federal Government’s Documentary, “Chasing the Dragon, “ about real life experiences with Opiod addiction that would be shown on SCTV this month. This documentary is also on You Tube. First Selectman Lisa Heavner has continued to misrepresent the 5 minute rule for Public Audience. Public Audience at the Board of Selectmen Meetings was established as a result of a court ordered stipulated agreement between me and the Town of Simsbury that is affixed to the wall in the Main Meeting Room. First Selectman Lisa Heavner did not establish the rule; it was determined by the courts. The stipulated agreement also states that ½ hour should be set aside for Public Audience. Since the speakers did not use all the time, I should have been given an extra 30 seconds to finish my remarks. I would like to suggest that First Selectman Lisa Heavner review the Resolution for compliance.

The Public Building Committee has once again reviewed the placement of SCTV at Boy Scout Hall which they decided was not acceptable due to it being on the National Historic Register. Another discussion was using Central School but that would only allow 1500 sq. ft, much less than the present space of 1600 sq. ft. Now there are only two acceptable places for SCTV. One is the basement of the Library and the other is a new building at the Henry James Middle School. HJMS is not an alternative since the Architect for Eno Hall has assigned the space used by SCTV as the new Senior Center Office. The SCTV addition to HJMS requires a vote for renovations and additions that might not be approved and will take years to complete…too many variables. The only logical place is the 29000 sq ft, in the Library basement, now occupied by the Friends of the Library. Many members of the Public Building Committee have privately stated that the Library would satisfy the needs of SCTV and continue to expand the use of the Library as a Community Center with the entire infrastructure already in place. The only obstacle is the political pressure of The Friends of Library who use the basement for the used books and other materials. If the Friends of the Library would move all their materials to Boy Scout Hall they would leave the space in the Library for SCTV. Political pressure should not motivate the town to delay the move of SCTV to the Library. My scenario satisfies the needs of Eno Hall to place the Senior Center Office in the SCTV space, a place for the Friends of Library in Boy Scout Hall which will be cost saving and expedient and a permanent place for SCTV to use and expand their mission.

At the last meeting Selectman Chris Kelly, a proponent of a Town Manager stated that he would like e to hold meetings to start the process for a Town Manager. The residents of Simsbury voted for a Town Manager. This is a mandate for the process to start in a timely manner and Selectman Chris Kelly will convene the Personnel Sub-Committee to start the process for the selection of a Town Manager.

At the last meeting Jamie Rabbitt, Director of Planning and Community Development made a presentation to the board on the Residential Trends through FY 2013 in Simsbury with all the developments fully developed, increase in population and the increase in future revenues. The conclusion to the trends: housing trends 1423 units built, population increase 2794 and Grand List growth $131,129,630. This projection defies all the economic theories on supply and demand. The assumptions are questionable and the results circumspect. I would hope that the Board of Selectmen does not use this flawed model as a projection for future spending.

According to the BlumShapiro Management Report: Capital Asset Reporting, they recommended a capital asset inventory to assure that all town assets are properly accounted for. I have a picture of the barn on Barndoor Hills Triangle that is in disrepair. Is this barn in the inventory and are there plans for demolishing it?

Why is the library using a fan to air condition the room for the computer hard drives and equipment? It appears that the library’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning system has issues. Is there a plan to solve the HVAC issues?