Board of Selectmen Meeting May 23, 2016

Board of Selectmen Meeting May 23, 2016

I would like to report that my bumper sticker, “Boycott Mitchell Car Dealership,” still remains on my car and I have not been sued by Steve Mitchell for Slander. I am assuming that Diana Moody has channeled her frustration somewhere else. I am concerned that anyone speaking against the vocal bike group will be placed on a “Do Not Service This Person,” list at the Mitchell Car dealership. Since many people are not in favor of the bike lobby aggressively using the roads and not obeying traffic signals, I made this sign to level the playing field for the people who do not wish to ride bikes and would rather hike or walk for their exercise. As you can see, the sign states, “Ditch Your Bike Take A Hike.” It is a much safer venue for exercise.

Recently the Hartford Courant has had many articles on the State of the State and it doesn’t look good, The State has been downgraded by Two Wall Street Credit Agencies. The Hartford Courant reported that “Hartford Area 10th in Population Loss”, GE headquarters has left the State for Boston, the Chief of Aetna Won’t Vow to Stay, a Pratt and Whitney jet engine division moved to South Florida and Hamilton- Sundstrand moved to North Carolina. Other large corporations are pondering moving out of the State while several Insurance companies are downsizing employees along with the State employees. The State will have a loss of revenues from Corporations and loss of revenues from unemployed people. Simsbury will feel the loss of State revenues on a continual basis, leaving the taxpayers to pay more or budget expenditures must be reduced. Before you vote at the Referendum for the budget, think of the future costs associated with the 2016/2017 budget.

On June 9, Simsbury will have a budget referendum that does not reflect the loss of future revenues but has over $1 million dollars taken out of the General Fund to pay for many operating expenditures and there are increases in future debt. Using the General Fund as a slush fund is not sustainable. Why should money from the General Fund pay for a Veterans Memorial, a Golf cart/utility vehicle for the Performing Arts, Park improvements, Athletic Field improvements, Land use studies, Window replacement,

Plan of Conservation and Development. Many of these expenditures are political patronage and the other expenditures should be in the operating budget or eliminated. The building bubble that we are experiencing will end up in a bust with reduced revenues in the future. Taxpayers should not be paying for private non-profit groups. The Kiosk on Winslow Place, serviced by the Visitors Bureau should be a showcase for Simsbury but is not maintained. The location is not desirable and should be moved to the Meadows where there is more exposure.

I would like to know why there is a sign on the town barn on the Barndoor Hills Triangle that states, “Private Property, No Trespassing, No Dumping, Visitors will be Prosecuted Griffin Industrial. Did the town sell the barn to Griffin Land? If the Town owns the barn, what is the plan for this barn that is in disrepair?

I am concerned that the Senior Center is still considered at the Performing Arts area. Last Friday during the Bike Rally the bikers were using the parking at the Performing Arts area and had many RV’s parked at the gravel area, leaving no space for a Senior Center or parking. This also occurs prior to concerts. Placing the Senior Center at the Performing Arts Center leaves many days without the use of facilities. We already have a Senior Center at Eno Hall that is for the seniors and the Simsbury Library benefits the seniors. We cannot afford to build another building in an uncertain economy.

Now that the final draft of the Charter Revision has been submitted to the Board of Selectmen, it is time to hear from the Board on their views on the Charter and whether they are in favor of a Town Manager and having a hybrid form of government. If the Board of Selectmen accepts the Charter, when will there be a referendum for a vote? During the discussions of a Town Manager at the Charter Revision Commission, Matt Hart the Town Manager of Mansfield gave a very informative speech on the attributes of a Town Manager. I would urge the Board of Selectmen to invite him for a presentation. All three prior First Selectmen. Peggy Shanks, Mary Glassman and Anita Mielert voted for a professional Town Manager. I would urge the Board of Selectmen to educate the public on the need for professional management for Simsbury.

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