Board of Selectmen Meeting June 27, 2016

Board of Selectmen Meeting June 27, 2016

At the last Board of Selectmen meeting there was much discussion on changes to the Charter that was delivered to them for referral to a Referendum. The Charter Revision Commission had 17 meetings with public audience where the public could address issues during the process of developing the Charter. Many experts were invited to discuss the charters from their towns and there was much interaction with the Commissioners. Never during this process did any of the members of the Board of Selectmen come before the Commission to give their testimony on issues of their concerns. Now that the Charter has been finalized, the Board of Selectmen has decided to ask for changes. Why now? Since the Charter reflects a Town Manager that First Selectman Lisa Heavner has vehemently opposed, she has placed roadblocks with changes and delay. First Selectman Lisa Heavner thinks that a “soccer mom” can manage a $ 95 million budget.

The other members of the board have still not given their views on the major change, for or against a Town Manager and also have placed roadblocks on the Charter. This board has not assumed their leadership positions by ducking the hard questions to be politically correct. After all the deliberations from the Charter Revision Commission were done, this document is what they felt was a workable. The Charter will never be perfect and could be discussed and changed for months or years. It is time to allow the public to voice their choice with a Referendum vote on the Charter Revision Commissions proposed Charter.

On June 7, 2016 we had a Referendum for a vote on the Budget. One of the Capital Improvements that were approved was $267,743 for the construction of the tennis courts at Simsbury Farms. They were to be completed for the summer programs. However, there are structural problems with the courts. It appears that the soil under the tennis courts is unstable and cannot hold the weight of the tennis courts. There is a stop order until they can find the reasons for these structural problems. This could be a very costly engineering error. Could all the irrigation work on the golf course cause the soil to become unstable at the tennis courts?

At this time the courts at Simsbury Farms are under construction, the courts at Tariffville Park do not have the nets up and grass is growing on the courts, unplayable. The tennis courts at the High School and Junior High have large separations on the courts making them dangerous for play. Why does the town have thousands of dollars for the Bike Group and no money for tennis courts?

Iron Horse Boulevard and the entrance to the Performing Arts have a proliferation of signs and the area is polluted with signs., A sign, “ Danger, Construction site, Keep
Out. ” What are they constructing? Why are they exempt from zoning regulations on signs?

. Several of the concerts promote alcohol consumption and pot smoking. The Slightly Stupid concert encourages pot smoking. They have been on the cover of High Times, a magazine promoting marijuana. The lyrics at the concert are:” I love marijuana, she is one of my favorite lovers, yes I love marijuana” etc. These concerts are approved by staff and condoned by the hypercritical group, Community for Care. Should the Simsbury Police Department provide security for these concerts when they are inhaling marijuana smoke for hours during the concerts? Has the Town’s Risk Management approved this assignment?

As a result of First Selectman Lisa Heavner and this board condoning pot smoking there have been increased infractions issued for pot smoking in cars. On June 22 the police issued a ticket for pot smoking with 5 Simsbury residents in the car. Tickets were issued on June 21 with 3 Simsbury residents in the car. There have been many other tickets issued. Having a Pot Factory in town and pot smoking ignored at concerts has increased the use of marijuana as a recreational activity in Simsbury. Why is Community for Care silent when there is increased marijuana use in town? Recently a man was found semi-conscious on a lawn at about 3 PM on June 24. The Simsbury police had to use Narcan to resuscitate him. This is just a continuation of increased drug use in Simsbury.

First Selectman Lisa Heavner has installed electric charging stations at the Town Hall parking lot. All the electricity used at these charging stations is paid for with tax dollars. Why should owners of Teslas and other electric car owners receive free electricity? If all electric cars can be charged for free at Town Hall, why can’t I gas up my car at the Highway Garage at taxpayers expense?

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