Board of Selectmen Special Meeting July 27, 2017

Board of Selectmen Special Meeting July 27, 2017

I am very concerned that First Selectman Lisa Heavner is devoting an inordinate amount of time trying to appease Dave Ryan, Chairman of the Zoning Commission and President of the Simsbury Performing Arts Center (SPAC). Dave Ryan is also on the Democratic Town Committee. Dave Ryan has used his many roles to hold the town and members of various town groups hostage to his aggressive use of the Simsbury Meadows for the SPAC with lies and deception. The SPAC leases the town land for $2500 a year without any cost sharing for events that restrict the town use of the property. The Concerts are continually mismanaged by Dave Ryan and Tom Vincent of Vincent Promotions. Signs for No Tailgating are unenforced by the SPAC. The SPAC had signs for No Tailgating at the Tedechi and Trucks concert but every parking lot throughout the town was full of Tailgating and pot smoking was rampant at the concert without any enforcement. The Board cannot trust their promises. Many organizations are held hostage by Dave Ryan and Tom Vincent since they decide the costs for their events. The groups are required to “pay to play” with no set limits on costs for their events. There is no appeal process.

Mike Paine should recuse himself from discussion and vote on any agenda item pertaining to the SPAC since he has the contract with the Simsbury Performing Arts Center for rubbish removal.

Since my correspondence to the Board of Selectmen many more issues have been questioned and not resolved.

I urge the Board of Selectmen to deny the permit for a 3 day concert with camping and campfires at the SPAC.

• The Planning Commission voted to send a negative referral to the Zoning Commission after much deliberation.
• Emails from the Chief of Police and Farmington Valley Health District have many concerns that have not been addressed since this is a moving target on attendance, weather and enforcement.
• At the last BOS meeting there was a consensus that camping and campfires should not be allowed. Since then there are more unanswered questions on oversight, compliance, security, contraband and public safety.
• The information on the Gathering Permit is full of omissions, deception and lies without any information on enforcement or impact on the community.
• The promoters of the 2 Left Feet Festival advertised and accepted money from campers without final approval from the Board of Selectmen. Camping and campfires were not included in the initial Gathering Permit report. The SPAC Board was not informed of camping with tents and RV’s.

• The security personnel provided by the promoters are unlicensed. The logistics for parking cars alongside the tents have not been thoroughly vetted for safety.
• There is no mention of hook-ups, electricity, lighting and walking paths within the parking camping area.
• Showers will be provided by the Granby YMCA. However the promoters stated that no camping vehicles can leave the site for 3 days? Who is providing transportation?
• Dave Ryan, Chairman of the Zoning Commission recused himself from the discussion but was standing in the door frame with Tom Vincent, (Vincent Promotions) listening and observing with the door open.

The Town Planner Jamie Rabbitt encouraged the approval with his interpretation of the facts and the assurance that the politically motivated and compromised participants during the Gathering Permit approval process could deny the permit by passing the buck and giving the Zoning Commission cover for a questionable text amendment. Town Planner Jamie Rabbitt’s salary is $115,569 and large increase from his previous job with a salary of $72,000. It appears that everyone “goes along to get along.” Are they afraid of retribution?

5. Fear of litigation from the promoters for denial of the permit would fall on the Performing Arts, not the town for breach of contract. This should not even be a talking point.

6. There is no emergency evacuation plan

7. The Board of Selectmen said no advertising for camping until the final approval process. They ignored your orders. Once this activity is approved, even for 1 time it will set a precedent of past practice.

8. The promoters for the Blues Festival are like snake oil salesman trying to sell their product through lies and deception.

10 Will the Dream Ride affect traffic during the concerts?

This approval for a Trailer Park is inconsistent with the Plan of Development and the safety of the community. The risks to the community outweigh the use of the Town property for a Trailer Park. This is an uncontrolled, unregulated, unenforceable activity the places the Town at risk.

JUST SAY NO!