Board of Selectmen Meeting May 8, 2017

Board of Selectmen Meeting May 8, 2017

Now that Mike Paine has declared his run for First Selectman, I would like to have the Board of Ethics give an opinion on the Conflicts of Interest that might arise since he has contracts with the Town.

First Selectman Lisa Heavner has continued to say that she is not involved in land use but she had no problem walking Mark Deming to the Planning Department with the ticket booth plans and Steve Mitchell who has issues before the Planning and Zoning Commission. Was this political?

The Senior Center renovation to Eno Hall does not have a consensus and SCTV’s placement in the basement of the library has become a political football. $6 million for the renovation should be withdrawn from the Capitol Projects.

First Selectman Lisa Heavner has given up the management of the Simsbury Meadows to a private organization, Simsbury Performing Arts (PAC) under the direction of Democratic Town Committee member, Dave Ryan. The PAC, under the new contract has reduced their payment to the town for the use of the facility from $10,000 to $2,500, leaving the taxpayers unable to use the facility for many week-ends and pay for in kind services. The Simsbury Performing Arts has $73,028 in assets and is pleading poverty.

Recently the PAC sub- leased the town property to a private organization, Simsbury Flea Market.Com where they charged $4 for an entry fee and no money from revenues went to the town. Many in kind services where absorbed by the taxpayers and the use of the property was used for outside groups, limiting the use to the taxpayers.

A PAC ticket booth has now been approved by Planning for a permanent facility near the playground, removing parking spaces and use for the public.

First Selectmen Lisa Heavner has used a log to hold a board in place on the Triangle Barn to mitigate Blight. I am sure a homeowner would be fined for this attempt to conform. This is laughable!

On April 24, 2017 a person walking at Curtiss Park called the police when she found a pistol on the bleachers. The police found the air pistol where it remains in the evidence room.

This air pistol can be bought for around $65 and looks like a real pistol. Many parents purchase this pistol for their children since there are no age limits and no permits required.

My cause for concern is the fact that children and adults can be using this air pistol in a public place. When the police are called for a child or adult with a pistol in a public place, they could lose their life since the police have seconds to determine if the pistol pointed at them is real or an air pistol. Air pistols should be used on private property, not in public places putting everyone in eminent danger. Parents must talk to their children about the use and danger of playing with air pistols.

There were over 200 pistol permits processed from 2016 to the present.

On February 24, 2017, the Simsbury Police arrested Judd Girard, a member of the Girard family that owns Sims-Croft Eco for a discharge of firearm, carrying a gun without a permit, larceny 5 and many other charges. It is alleged that the gun was a training pistol. On March 29. 2017, Judd Girard was arrested by the Central District Major Crimes for Burglary, Larceny Criminal Trespass, Stealing Firearm among other charges. Charges are still pending while Judd Girard remains in jail.

August 24, 2016 the Hartford Courant published a story, Non-Lethal Guns Stolen from State Police.

During this timeframe, May 2015 to August 2015 Sims-Croft Echo was hired to do significant work at the Metacom Gun Club which is contiguous to the State Firing Range. On August 2015 tree removal was done next to the State Firing Range.

It is alleged that there was an opportunity for surveillance and an opportunity for the burglary at the State Firing Range while doing extensive work at the Metacom Gun Club. Is Judd Girard the only person with a trophy from the State Firing Range when 11 non-lethal firearms were stolen?

Once again I am bringing to your attention that the Granite walk at the War Memorial at the Library remains with a sign “slippery when wet” and no action on trying make it less slippery. When will this be fixed permanently? After reviewing the Granite walk with the tribute to the honored dead, “HERE WE MARK THE PRICE OF FREEDOM,” the word “PEACFUL” is missing an “E.” Did anyone edit this insert before it was finalized? Will this error be fixed before the Memorial Service?

How can this Board approve a gift from C-Tec Solar when they have not paid their taxes? They presently owe $44,000. Doe First Selectman Lisa Heavner reward bad behavior? Is this a political approval?