Simsbury Board of Selectmen Meeting April 15, 2024

Board of Selectmen Meeting April 15, 2024

All the budgets presented have increased over the years while many of the items do not directly service the core of the taxpayers.

Money should be spent to enhance Memorial Park with the demolition of the pool and adding a splash pad for town children to enjoy.

There have been many studies in the past that could be used as reference to improvements to Memorial Park.

An RFP to establish the cost of the Splash Pad would be a more efficient and cost-effective mechanism to establish the costs.

The demolition of the Memorial Park pool has been discussed since 2010 and should not be tabled another year.

Other activities at the park should be evaluated for activity to support the use.

Spending millions of dollars to support outside agencies that do not directly service the town should be eliminated.

Simsbury should not be a Social Service enhancement fund for outside agencies without direct support to the town.

The Simsbury Volunteer Ambulance organization should be self-sufficient, not asking the taxpayers to pay for what appears to be mismanagement.

AMR is self-sufficient as an ambulance service with no taxpayer support.

The Simsbury Performing Arts is a private organization and does not directly enhance the taxpayer but brings people from other areas to enjoy a product that is supported by Simsbury taxpayers.

All legacy expenditures associated with maintenance of the buildings should be attached to the expenditures. This will not be a one-time expenditure.

We have not heard any acknowledgement that the SPAC has increased the price of tickets to fund their present projects.

The Town’s contract with the SPAC should be reevaluated, making all costs associated with the venues paid fully by the SPAC.

Permanent buildings in a flood plain will have unintended consequences with flooding that has not been addressed.

A concert venue is an expensive undertaking and should be supported solely by the Simsbury Performing Arts.

A ticket booth was erected at the site several years ago that is now used for several hours prior to concerts.

This building is vacant with no plans for it’s use during the remainder of the months.

All legacy expenditures associated with maintenance should be attached to all buildings and capital expenditures. These will not be a one-time expenditure.

Main Street Partnership has been an asset to economic development by directly supporting Simsbury businesses and should have an expanded role with strict guidelines.

Over the years the Main Street Partnership has written many Grants to bring money into the business community.

The Main Street Partnership has taken over the role of the Economic Development Commission which should be eliminated.

Retention of businesses is economic development.

Both the Board of Education and the Board of Selectmen cannot continue to increase taxes.

Increased taxes affect all residents and businesses in Simsbury.

All renters will have their rents increased when their leases are up causing the market for rentals in Simsbury to be non-competitive. This could lead to a glut of empty units with a cascading effect.

Higher taxes are a detriment to economic development, the driver behind the tax base.

After reviewing the Incident Logs in the Police Department, it appears that many of the calls are repeaters for service, a first line for contact.

The police can only refer people for services that appear to be lacking in access.

Social Services is difficult to contact and other agencies appear to be unresponsive.

There is a Mental Health crisis that cannot support the increased need for immediate and long-term services.

Gambling addiction has led to financial strain on families and businesses.

Alzheimer’s patients living in their homes require special needs, with services lacking.

Without these support services there is an increase in crime, domestic disputes and the increased use of narcotics that are readily available.

These calls for service to the Police Department eventually could lead to an arrest that only exacerbates the root causes with a lack of treatment.

It is time for the Board of Selectmen to convene a Charter Revision Commission to review the need for placing many of the time-consuming boards and commissions in the Charter.

Services have changed over the years and the Charter should reflect these changes.

I would like to report that the baby-sitting service established by Chief Boulter is not efficient or effective.

This mechanism for access to information is placing an undue burden on Lt. Chase who is on charge of Patrol, Dispatch and other duties associated with the position.

Baby-sitting is not one of his duties and should be reviewed by the Union for compliance with workplace duties assigned to Lt. Chase.