Board of Selectmen Meeting October24, 2016

Board of Selectmen Meeting October 24, 2016

I have before you a sample ballot showing the line vote for President and other elected representatives. Simsbury voters will also have a vote for a change in the Charter, the constitution of Simsbury.

On the top of the ballot and then wrapped around the ballot are questions asking for changes in the Charter.

The most significant question is “ shall the Charter to be amended to change the form of government from First Selectman/Board of Selectmen to the Town Manager form of government to take affect December 4, 2017.” It should be noted that 3 of our past First Selectman, Peggy Shanks, Anita Mielert and Mary Glassman are in favor of a Town Manager. The Charter Revision Commission voted 7-4 after 18 meetings with interviews from various professionals and elected officials. After all these discussions, there was a consensus that Simsbury has been evolving into a town Manager form of government. Avon and Farmington have had decades of professional management with a professional Town Manager and have a lower Mill Rate.

Why should anyone feel that turning over your $90 million budget to an elected person who is a political hack with no professional training to allocate the expenditures efficiently and effectively? Professional staff should report to a professional manager to be more efficient? Simsbury does not have any long-range planning since our First Selectman runs for re-election every two years. As a result we are not guaranteed any continuity in planning. With the loss of tax revenues from The Hartford and reduced revenues in the future from the State, Simsbury residents should vote “YES” for the Charter change to a professional Town Manager to guide us into the difficult times ahead.

I am concerned that John Hampton is asking the Simsbury voters to reelect him as our State Representative. John Hampton does not pay any taxes to the town. The car he drives is owned by his father who pays the taxes. John Hampton does not have any “skin in the game” when he votes for State budgets that are impacting everyone but him I do not want John Hampton to represent me.

In a letter from the Town Hearing Officer directed to the Mitchell Auto Dealership on July 26, 2016, it states, “Your failure to appear at this hearing has led to a default assessment. It is my determination the fines for the three vehicles totaling $450.00 to be held in full.” To my knowledge the fine has not been paid which increases the fines on a daily basis. Why does the Mitchell Dealership feel that they are so privileged that they don’t have to obey the law?

Once again there is an agenda item on more discussion on the Senior Center. Since there is no consensus for the placement of the Senior Center and the Library has evolved into a town community center that could be expanded to encompass the Senior Citizens which will eliminate a stand-alone building at the PAC for $8.5 million that is incompatible with the site. The library basement has 2,900 sq. ft. that could be utilized by the seniors and shared with SCTV and the Friends of the Library that is presently underutilized. If SCTV relocates to the library there will be 1,600 sq. ft available in Eno Memorial Hall for expansion of the services for the seniors. It appears that repurposing the library basement for the seniors and SCTV will be less costly and provide a satisfactory space for everyone. This collaborative effort is a no-brainer.

Recently the town adjusted the salary increases 5% to the Chief of Police and the Captain. Other salary adjustments have been in the 2.5-% range with some salaries spiked $10,000 to $20, 000 with many adjustments made after the approval of the budget over the years. There appears to be a haphazard approach to salary increases with varied equivalences. Many seniors have not received an increase in Social Security benefits and many residents have either lost their jobs or received no increase over the years. There are 30 active foreclosures in Simsbury. We pay these salaries now and forever in pension benefits. I think the town should be sensitive to the financial climate of the taxpayers when giving out raises to all employees.

Recently I observed that the ceiling tiles in the Police Department have huge water stains from water damage. The Police Department has had in the past allegations of mold in the workplace. Where is the water coming from and why hasn’t it been resolved since many of the employees are sensitive to mold?

Why was the First Selectman’s Office temporarily locked on October5, during office hours?

All of my comments will be posted on Simsbury Patch, News Feed on Facebook, Twitter@joancoe and Simsbury forum Topix.