Board of Selectmen Meeting July 11, 2016

Board of Selectmen Meeting July 11, 2016

I have attended most of the Charter Revision Commission Meetings and was impressed with the fact finding and deliberations that were discussed at every meeting. They had testimony from Town Managers, First Selectmen and Mayors from several towns. Past First Selectmen, Peggy Shanks. Anita Mielert, and Mary Glassman all gave testimony on the need for professional management with a Town Manager to reduce the risk to the town. Members from Boards and Commissions gave testimony to the Commission. Members of the Board of Selectmen did not give any testimony before the Commission although past practice had members give testimony. The time to address all issues was during the process, not after the conclusion. Since the Board of Selectmen are not in favor of the conclusion of the Charter Revision Commission in having a professional Town Manager and First Selectmen Lisa Heavner will not have any authority or executive power but will be a figurehead, they have placed roadblocks in the path of having this document, as written, go to Referendum vote. The Town Attorney told the Board of Selectmen that a vote to bring the Charter to a vote would be an affirmation of the document that they do not agree is in their best interest. It appears that this becomes a political football. The Commission took their charge seriously and came to their conclusions with much deliberation. The most deliberative and exhaustive process was finally deciding on having a professional Town Manager as the CEO of Simsbury and having an elected First Selectman in a political position. It is my opinion that the members of the Charter Revision Commission, having had exhaustive meetings on all the subjects, should vote to send the Charter, as written, to the Board of Selectman and have them go on record as being obstructionists, if they vote not to give the people a vote on the Charter with a Town Manager.

Recently the tax bills were sent to all taxpayers. When I opened my tax bill I found a flyer with advertising for the Simsbury Free Bike, Talcott Mountain Music Festival and the incorrect information on the Performing Arts Concerts. It appears that the Town has now become an advertising agency for private organizations. This is a very unusual practice to insert advertising in tax bills. Who paid for the newsletter? Why distribute this advertising in tax bills?

Presently as you walk into Town Hall you will see a box and flyers asking for donations to the Performing Arts, another private organization.

What significance does the Gun Poster have affixed to the wall in Town Hall?

Why does First Selectman Lisa Heavner and Director of Administrative Services, Tom Cooke allow private advertising in Town Hall? Is this another political favor to the political cronies?

Since attendance is low at these concerts and most people come from out-of town and our residents are inconvenienced, maybe it is time to eliminate the concerts from The Meadows and return the land to the taxpayers for recreation.

There is an application pending for a 4 story apartment house on the property adjacent to the Performing Arts which appears to be incompatible with the concerts.

The Performing Arts/Senior Center has finally hit roadblocks. The Performing Arts does not want to share the structure, the seniors don’t want the Senior Center in the Meadows, sharing the building with the Performing Arts. Letters were written from the Conservation Commission on the negative environmental impact of having the building on the environmentally sensitive land . A letter was sent to First Selectman Lisa Heavner from the Conservation Commission stating, “the Simsbury Conservation Commission adopted this statement at its regular meeting on June 7, 2016, the Conservation Commission strongly advises against locating the senior center/community center at Simsbury Meadows. The wetlands and wildlife habitat in that open space are have already suffered damage and are under unrelenting pressure from the parking and other demands attendant to the facilities developed there heretofore.” The Board of Finance is not embracing the costs associated with the building. Eno Hall should remain the Senior Center.

On July 4, 2016 at approximately 8:30 P.M. , I heard and viewed fireworks coming from Steve Antonio’s house at 133 Holcomb Street. There were aerial displays with continual boomers coming from his home were friends and family were gathered. I called the police to address the issue. At a later date I called the Fire Department and spoke with Kevin Kowalski, the Fire Marshal about my concern with what appeared to be illegal fireworks. Kevin Kowalski stated that aerials and boomers are illegal and Steve Antonio did not have a permit. Was First Selectman Lisa Heavner invited to Steve Antonio fireworks display on his property? When will this activity be reviewed for compliance?

All of my comments will be posted on Simsbury Patch, Twitter@joan coe, News Feed on Facebook and Simsbury forum/Topix.