Simsbury Board of Selectmen March 27, 2023

Board of Selectmen Meeting March 27, 2023

At the March 13, 2023 Board of Selectmen Meeting, Selectman Eric Wellman stated that I had attributed to the low morale at town hall due my concerns regarding staff and Town Manger Maria Capriola.

Asking the Board of Selectmen to do their job to address failures of management as a pre-cursor to moving forward in the selection of a new Town Manager is not a morale problem.

The people who created the morale problem are the Board of Selectmen by turning a deaf ear to the public and staff concerns.

Now that Town Manager Maria Capriola has resigned, the Board of Selectmen should expedite the process for a Town Manager.

The best way would be to contact a Head Hunter that specializes in municipal government to recruit a highly qualified replacement.

The Town Manager should be skilled in managing staff efficiently and effectively and communicate with boards, commissions and the community with respect.

Over the years there have been replacement staff provided with Head Hunters with good results.

Now that the budgets for the Town and Board of Education are being presented, the elected officials should represent the staff and residents with necessary needs for services in a bare bones budget.

We are living in an inflationary time when the taxpayers are feeling the effects daily with sky rocketing prices.

Many taxpayers are reducing their discretionary funds and so should the town.

The assessments that have been provided to the businesses and residents have increased as a result of revaluation.

The inflationary economy has closed many businesses that cannot sustain the additional costs.

Many of the assessments appear to be irrational with many taxpayers questioning the increases through the appeal process.

This will lower the tax base.

Both the Town and Board of Education should look for opportunities for more shared services to reduce costs.

Mental Health services have become one of the most significant and costly needs for the community.

Many people are using mind-altering drugs, either through prescription or over-the counter.

Doctors are prescribing drugs for anxiety and depression in epidemic proportions leading to more emotional issues.

Many self-medicating drugs can be purchased over-the counter-

Alcohol and Marijuana use have increased over the years with severe consequences to families.

Mental Health services are needed with institutions equipped with out-patient and long-term care with a highly professional staff.

Many vacant offices buildings could be repurposed as Mental Health hospitals.

As students enter the school system with many severe psychological issues, the schools have the additional costly burdens of providing services to the students and adding increasing costs to the taxpayers with limited funds

The cost for out-placement for a single student could reach over $100,000 a year depending upon need.

The taxpayers must pay for mandated services that are supported by increased staff, increasing transportation and ever increasing costs that cannot be sustained with tax dollars.

Every specialized program that has been enacted comes with increased staff and support services.

As there is an increase of Mental Health needs there is a need for more collaborative efforts that should have regionalized buildings for placement of students at reduced costs.

The Police Department has had increased calls for family violence issues and intoxication.

A consultant was charged to produce a staffing study to meet the present and future needs of the Police Department.

Certus, Public Safety Solutions was hired by the department and a draft document was provided.

The document was reviewed by Chief Boulter, who has a reputation as a micro-manager.

It is alleged that changes were made and returned to the consultant to produce a document that was edited by Chief Boulter.

Why hire a consultant who has interviewed staff and produced an unbiased recommendation when substantive changes are made to the recommendation?

Why change recommendations?

Recently there was a list of Officers that could have been promoted to Sergeant.

The list of Officers was available for months without any action from Chief Boulter.

Eventually some of the Officers were promoted to Sergeant leaving two Officers available for promotion.

Chief Boulter allowed the list to lapse, leaving the department with staffing issues and increased overtime.

These Officers were incorporated into the rumors that Chief Boulter wished they would leave the department, leading to Sgt. Jason Trombly’s termination.

Both these Officers have provided exceptional service to the Town and deserved the promotion.

Presently there is a need for more Sergeants with several Sergeants retiring and are out for various reasons.

Is Chief Boulter using his animus toward these Officers as a reason to lapse the list for promotions?

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