Board of Selectmen Meeting February 9, 2015
At the beginning of every Board of Selectmen meeting First Selectmen Lisa Heavner states that she invites everyone to comment at Public Audience for 5mnutes and then if time runs out the people can make an appointment and speak with her behind closed doors since the meeting contains “extensive items,” on the agenda. The reason for having public audience is for the public, the people who pay the bills, to voice their concerns in an open forum with SCTV televising their speech and transmitting it to the public. A robust democracy is based on a public forum, not a Tammany Hall environment.
An integral part of my campaign for First Selectman will be going on a listening tour to businesses, town offices and public gathering places to listen to the concerns of the people in Simsbury. This forum will give me an opportunity to make Simsbury the best it can be for all of the taxpayers, free from political distractions. I will be an independent choice for First Selectman.
At the present time, I will be gathering signatures of electors in Simsbury in order to place my name on the ballot for First Selectman, .November 3, 2015
First Selectman Lisa Heavner has stated in news releases that Simsbury has warming shelters in the Library and Eno Hall. I would like to know what happens to Simsbury’s homeless after closing hours where the need for shelter is most important. Is there a plan for sheltering the most vulnerable people?
This is the second time that this board has gone into Executive Session to discuss, “Public Safety Issue Impacting the Town.” It appears that the public is imminent danger and our elected officials are trying to resolve this issue behind closed doors. Why does it require two meetings in executive session to resolve this issue? Since the public is not aware of the imminent danger to their lives, I could only surmise what the issue might be. Is it that CL&P’s closing its business in the south end of town will increase response time to resolve issues that are wind and storm related? Is it that Dyno-Nobel manufactures and stores PETN, an explosive, across from the pot factory, that is allegedly used by terrorists to make bombs?
Is it the towns concern that the Post Office across from Town Hall has environmental and safety issues? There are allegations of workforce health issues due to working conditions. Allegations of OSHA violations, asbestos, lack of snow removal and ice on walks. It appears the Post Office has responsibility for snow removal and has hired Simscroft-Echo to remove snow from the parking lot and ice on the walkway. This has not been done in a timely manner since I had to navigate an icy walkway to deposit my mail. How many people use the Post Office and don’t notice that the ceiling has water issues. There are allegations that the drinking water is contaminated. How can these issues continue without any remediation? Has First Selectman Lisa Heavner gone into the Post Office and noticed the deplorable conditions? Did the working conditions precipitate two employees dying at 50 years of age? Who is responsible for the oversight of this building?
Has First Selectman Lisa Heavner acted on my comments that having the emotionally disturbed students
at the CREC Diagnostic Center on 125 Latimer Lane are bolting from the premises, places the police, Latimer Lane School and the neighborhood in danger? Is this a Public Safety Issue Impacting the Town of Simsbury?
Is having fewer and fewer volunteer ambulance services in our town and the surrounding area impacting response time on medical issues? Has this become a public safety issue?
I am concerned that this board is rushing to judgment on the 8.3 million dollar Capital Improvement Plan for the Senior Center when there are options available at a much reduced cost.
I would like to know why the Performing Arts group has not presented their audit report to the Finance Director as stated in their contract with the Town. Has First Selectman Lisa Heavner asked for compliance to the contract? What is the remedy for the violation?
My campaign for First Selectman will have Town Manager form of Government as my first priority. I don’t need hearings to decide that Simsbury needs professional management.
This board should act immediately on convening a Charter Revision Commission and then move forward on the form of government. What we have now doesn’t work with delegated responsibility at the First Selectman’s position.. The public then can vote on the proposed Charter. Our elected officials should lead not follow. Do your job.
The personnel Sub-Committee, under the Direction of First Selectman Lisa Heavner has continued to ask for public comment on the Selectman’s salary. The Finance Director has already plugged into the budget a salary of $75,000 for the First Selectman with reduced responsibilities. The public can express their opinions when they vote at the budget referendum. We don’t need more meetings.
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