Board of Selectmen Meeting October 11, 2017

Board of Selectmen Meeting October 11, 2017

On Thursday, September 28, the Board of Finance had a meeting where First Selectman Lisa Heavner was asked for an update on the search for a Town Manager. First Selectman Lisa Heavner stated that the implementation of a Town Manager is an “EXPERIMENT.” It appears that First Selectman Lisa Heavner continues to grieve over her loss of control of the government by passing the torch to a Town Manager. There were 6,422 votes for a Town Manager. None of these people thought they were voting for an “EXPERIMENT.”

First Selectman Lisa Heavner is a candidate for the Board of Finance in the upcoming election. , following in the footsteps of First Selectman Mary Glassman. I will not vote for Lisa Heavner for Board of Finance since she has registered her opinion on the Town Manager. I am concerned that First Selectman Lisa Hevner will use her power to subvert the system so her “EXPERIMENT” will fail.

. Over the years of her service she has wasted tax dollars with studies and contracts on the Senior Center and other policies. Heavner filerbusted when she tried to give abatements to an underserved C-Tec - Solar company with unpaid taxes. First Selectman Lisa Heavner has included payments to private organizations in the town budget, giving a politically connected Dave Ryan, President of the Simsbury Performing Arts Center $15,000 for a utility vehicle. First Selectman Lisa Heavner took money from the General Fund to reduce taxes. However, the expenditures remain in the budget year after year. It is my opinion that First Selectman Lisa Heavner should not be elected to the Board of Finance since she is not fiscally conservative, will subvert the actions of the Town Manager and will continually vote for taxpayers dollars to go to politically motivated organizations.

At the last Board of Selectman meeting I brought to your attention many of the conflicts of interest of Simsbury’s Town Attorney DeCrescenzo. I have not heard any response. According to Section 410, Investigation , of the Town Charter, the Board of Selectmen shall have the power to investigate any and all offices, boards, commissions and agencies of the Town.

All the members of the Board of Selectmen are candidates for reelection to the Board of Selectman with the exception of First Selectman Lisa Heavner. Why should anyone vote for this board to continue serving the Town when they refuse to investigate allegations of misconduct brought to their attention at Board of Selectmen meetings? Are they afraid to offend anyone to get reelected or are they serving the residents of Simsbury?

The Simsbury Performing Arts, Inc filed papers with the Secretary of State from 2011 to 2017 showing that Dave Ryan is the President and Updike, Kelly & Spellacy are the agents. Attorney DeCrescenzo is a member of this law firm and has not noticed on Areas of Exception the conflict with the Simsbury Performing Arts, Inc. Attorney DeCescenzo reviews the contract the Town has with the Simsbury Performing Arts. How can Attorney DeCrescenzo work for both parties on a contract?

Attorney DeCrescenzo had a known conflict with the Ethel Walker School during the finalization of the contract with the Ethel Walker School for the sale of open space to the Town. Attorney Houlihan was hired to finalize the contract. Attorney Houlihan was paid by the Town $8, 000 for his services. Since the taxpayers pay over$100,000 a year for Town Attorney DeCrescenzo, why did the taxpayers pay for his conflict? The Town should ask for reimbursement of all money paid to attorneys hired due to DeCrescenzo’s conflicts. Are we paying Attorney DeCrescenzo over $100,000 a year to be the Rainmaker for Updike, Kelly & Spellacy or protect the residents of Simsbury?

A male in his 20’s recently committed suicide by hanging at Great Pond State Park in Simsbury. This person was a Simsbury resident. Suicides have increased over the years. Why would a person take his own life? Simsbury has lost several family members to suicide.

At the last meeting there was discussion of focus groups with selected members to give input to the selection process for a Town Manager that was done behind closed doors. I am concerned that First Selectman Lisa Heavner is trying to subvert the system since she is continually grieving for the loss of a First Selectman and is vehemently opposed to a Town Manger by stating that this is an “EXPERIMENT,” that could be changed at a later date. What Town Manager would want to come to Simsbury as an “EXPERIMENT”? I hope that the consultant will ignore all the chatter and provide a long-term Town Manager for Simsbury that is required to reside in the Town.