Board of Selectmen Meeting October 22, 2018

Board of Selectmen Meeting October 22, 2018

At the October 10, 2018 Board of Selectmen meeting First Selectman Eric Wellman stated that that he reversed the agenda items with the First Selectman and Town Manager reports at the bottom of the agenda due to a hard stop at 7 P.M. It appeared that the hard stop was decided prior to the meeting since the Board Members were not surprised by First Selectman Eric Wellman’s request for a hard stop at 7 P.M with no discussion about this absurd decision. First Selectman Eric Wellman stated that he proposes that the First Selectman and Town Manager’s report be posted on-line so the Board of Selectman can adjourn at a good time. Meeting was adjourned at 7 P.M.

This decision has many unintended consequences:

The viewers of SCTV who have listened to all the meetings and may not have access to computers or know how to access information, rely on SCTV for their information. Many seniors have not viewed these reports since they are not computer savvy. Reports will not be transmitted in public in a timely manner since the viewers are at the mercy of a computer for information.

Town Manager Maria Capriola has continually stressed her interest in open government. This is a complete antithesis of her beliefs.

This could be precedent setting in that all Boards and Commissions can now have a hard stop with all reports submitted on-line for public consumption. There will be no need for attendance for staff to report in public.

The agenda items for boards and commission could note: ALL reports submitted from staff to boards and commissions will be posted on-line for public viewing. There will be no need for SCTV to transmit the information to the public.

I cannot believe that our elected First Selectman and Board of Selectmen, as public servants, would condone the use of on-line delivery of public information in lieu of reporting in person in front of SCTV. Shame on elected First Selectman Eric Wellman and the elected members of the Board of Selectmen!

The agenda item, Gifts of Love Barn Conversion Project is an affront to the donation of 140 acres of land through the Eno Trust, “for the poor of Simsbury.” The Eno Trust states,” I hereby quit claim to the town of Simsbury to be used for the occupation, maintenance and support of the Town poor of said Town and for no other purpose whatsoever and only for so long as it shall be so occupied and used and only for so long as the town shall care for and support its poor on the said farm without contracting them out to any person or persons for their care and maintenance shall such farm belong to said Town when it shall cease to be so occupied it shall revert to the Grantor.”

The Eno family never envisioned a “poor farm” with a banquet hall with crystal chandeliers and air conditioning, not to mention the overhead costs. How many poor people will be able to afford to have their weddings at the “poor farm?”

It is time that Town Manager Maria Capriola discusses the issue of the Town’s compliance with the Eno Trust with the Charities Division at the Attorney General’s Office.

From 2017-2018 the Town has collected $1,170,712.26 from building permits. More revenue will be coming in when many of the developments get Certificates of Occupancy. This money should be used to decrease the debt, increase revenue to the medical and pensions benefit programs and maintenance of roads and buildings. It should be used to decrease the Mill Rate to make Simsbury competitive with other Towns.

As an advocate for increased Pickleball use in Simsbury I would like to compliment the Board of Education for lining the Henry James Middle School tennis courts for Pickleball. These courts were used during the summer with all courts filled with players. When school started the Pickleball courts were not available. As a result of our advocacy for Pickleball courts, Henry James Middle School has incorporated Pickleball into their gym program.

However, the Simsbury Farms staff was approached to line the tennis courts and has denied the request. Recreational players would not be confused with the lines as noted in Pickleball courts at the Windsor Senior Center.

Many Simsbury fields are lined for multiuse play without any distractions.

The Town should encourage people to participate in recreational sports not place roadblocks in their paths.

. The lines could be applied with Town equipment at a very low cost.

I was very surprised when I heard that the Simsbury Democratic Headquarters will be located at the Iron Horse Pub on Iron Horse Boulevard on Election Day. I guess the slogan for the Democratic Party is eat, drink, drink and be merry, win or lose.