Board of Selectmen Meeting October 10, 2018

Board of Selectmen Meeting October 10, 2018

I am very pleased with the selection of all of the people appointed to serve on the newly formed Economic Development Commission. All of the seven people are not part of the political spectrum but people who are willing to serve the community in the best way possible.

Economic Development in Simsbury is extremely challenging due to geography. Most businesses require large traffic patterns. To increase foot traffic Simsbury is lacking regular and reliable routes of transportation.

For many years we have created a continuous trail for bicycles that can transport bicyclists throughout the state. The rails to trails have provided contiguous trails that could be used in the future for single rail transportation.

Reliable transportation brings people to Simsbury for employment and businesses that can flourish along rail lines for access to and from the surrounding areas.

Simsbury is deficient in internet access. There are areas in Simsbury where there is no connectivity. There is a need for more access points to increase connectivity. Reliable internet access is another tool for economic development.

For many years the Library has denied the move of SCTV to the basement of the Library to increase the resources that can be used by the community. The Library has all the connectivity needed with the entire infrastructure on Hopmeadow Street to provide an upscale media center with SCTV. This move would provide more room in Eno Hall for activities for seniors.

The October 7, 2018 Hartford Courant had an article about Libraries creating “Makerspaces that offer high tech for entrepreneurs and hobbyists. The Simsbury Library has created “Makerspaces” for the community and could expand its offerings.

A Hartford Courant article recently stated, “Connecticut’s push to create new collaborative, high-tech work and educational spaces for entrepreneurs, computer wizards, craft hobbyists and kids appearing to gaining momentum.”

Having SCTV in the Library would create another collaborative effort to coordinate increased media for business and the community.

The Public Building Committee has had SCTV on their agenda for many years. It is time that the Town take a pro- active role to join the growing need for collaborative services in the Library and the expansion of services provided by SCTV.

The Economic Development Commission should research the traffic patterns, square footage available for use and land available for business in Simsbury.

Another driving force in Economic Development is the Mill Rate that affects taxes and increases the overhead of business. Simsbury’s Mill Rate is the highest in the area and should be reduced to be competitive.

The Economic Development Commission should study the surrounding areas where business is thriving and develop a plan to develop incubator businesses to support large companies.

St. Bernard’s Roman Catholic Church is up for sale in Tariffville. The task of repurposing the church should be on the agenda for the Economic Development Commission.

The Town of Simsbury should study transforming the Tariffville Center through a collaborative effort with the surrounding colleges. Many students studying Town Planning and Architecture would enjoy the challenge of working on transforming a critical land area to increase economic development.

Another component of Economic Development is Tourism.

The Town has a Kiosk at the parking lot on Wilcox Street that is deteriorating and an eyesore with a baseball cap and old signs posted in the interior. The Kiosk should be replaced, demolished or moved to another location.

The Ticket Booth on Iron Horse Boulevard that the Simsbury Performance Arts Center has given to the Town should be used as a Visitor’s Bureau with a display of all brochures highlighting the Town, businesses and activities.

It appears that the Simsbury Volunteer Ambulance Organization has decided not to ask the Town for money to be included in the Town budget.

This gesture should not negate the need for improved and timely delivery of services.

The Board of Selectmen should invite AMR to come before the Board to educate the Board on all their services to decide whether a Volunteer Ambulance Organization can meet the future needs of the community.

On October 1, 2018 the Police Log that I reviewed had 7 automobile larcenies and 1 motor vehicle theft. The larcenies occurred with cars unlocked or keys left in the cars. Leaving cars unlocked and keys in the cars have given the perpetrators easy access to people’s personal property. We no longer live in a safe and secure environment and we should all be mindful of the consequences of our actions.

I am very disappointed with the Board of Finance that has cancelled its regularly scheduled meeting due a lack of a quorum in September and scheduled a special meeting on October 22. Many items on their agenda required transferring money and payments on many projects that created delays. Our elected officials should take their responsibilities seriously or not run for office.