Board of Selectmen Meeting May 30, 2018

Board of Selectmen Meeting May 30, 2018

On April 19, 2018, I requested as part of my FOI request, “complaints from staff regarding inappropriate communications and work related performance evaluations.”

I received Part 2 of Jamie Rabbitt’s Personnel File.

Jamie Rabbitt is the Director of Planning and Community Development with a salary of $117,880 plus benefits.

I was told that there weren’t any performance evaluations on file. I did receive a copy of a memo from the Town’s Code Compliance Officer, Robin Newton to the Town’s Employee Benefits & Human Resources Coordinator, Eric Gomes describing a Personal issue dated January 25, 2018.

Robin Newton is a member of the Professional Employees Union.

The memo states, “On December 12, 2017 I verbally addressed a staffing complaint with Jamie Rabbit, Director of Planning. At that meeting I spoke with Jamie concerning the job duties I was performing on a regular basis that are not part of my job description. Specifically that when the Planning Department secretarial/clerical staff is at lunch or out for the day (sick, personal or vacation) I am performing her job and there seems to have become an expectation by other admin staff that I am covering for her when she is out.” It appears that there is an expectation that Robin Newton was selected to perform clerical duties that is non-compliant with her employment

Work assignments that are inconsistent with job descriptions are a violation of the Civil Rights Act.

It is alleged that a recent complaint has been lodged against Jamie Rabbitt by Robin Newton.

These actions could be a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which is a Federal Law. It states, “Sex Discrimination, for the purposes of employment law, is treating a job applicant or employee adversely because of the person’s gender.”

“It is a violation of Title VII for an employer to discriminate against job applicants or employees on the basis of sex regarding a broad range of employment activities including hiring, firing, compensation benefits, WORK ASSIGNMENTS, promotions, training and any other term or condition of employment.”

Presently the Town of Simsbury has many females in executive and management positions such as Town Manager, Assistant to the Town Manager and Finance Director.

Everyone should be mindful that gender discrimination does take place in the workplace and the protective laws that are in place should be vigorously enforced.

The second memo I received was an email from Robin Newton to the Assistant Town Planner, Mike Glidden stating, “Could you please confirm whether or not you have been asked to provide any work documents, memos, staff reports to Jamie for review?

The response was, “In 2 years, only once, the Hoskins Rd special permit for the work force overlay housing application. (This was his first/second day with the Town of Simsbury). Otherwise, all of my documents are sent directly to commission packets without approval/review by director.”

As Director of Planning and Community Development, why has Jamie Rabbitt abdicated his responsibilities for oversight on town plans? Is Jamie Rabbitt’s neglect to review and sign documents that are forwarded to Commissions placing the Town at risk?

The Board of Selectmen’s agenda has continually placed the Deepwater Wind Solar appeal for discussion in Executive Session without any actions taken. This is an expensive endeavor as Attorneys are paid by the hour. According to the Board of Finance Meeting Minutes, July 18, 2018, Sean Kimball stated that, “It was noted that this board (Board of Finance) should review the project in terms of impact to the town’s operating budget. First Selectman Lisa Heavner explained that while the Town has budgeted for legal costs, this is an unanticipated cost which could cause this item to go over budget.” The Town Assessor stated, “at the current mill rate (the project) will generate $1.1 M depreciating thereafter down to 30% where it was anticipated to be level.” “Because of its farmland status, taxes yielded from the parcels now were indicated at $26K.”

As we continue to appeal with what appears to be no progress in sight and Attorney costs escalating, what is timeline for actions to be finalized?

I recently visited the International Skating Center of Connecticut on Hopmeadow Street to get an update on the marketing and progress of the Curling Activities in the complex. I observed that there was a Manager and two figure skaters on the ice.

It appears to me after several visits that the ISCC is poorly managed and is losing money.

The Town has a Ground Lease with the ISCC that requires them to give the Town an annual financial report and budgets

These requirements have not been provided to the Town.

Since the ISCC has made Simsbury unique, it is important that the Town take an active role in the future of the complex.