Simsbury Board of Selectmen Meeting August 14, 2017

Board of Selectmen Meeting August 14, 2017

At the last Board of Selectmen Meeting on Thursday, July 27, the Board approved the Gathering Permit for the 3 day Blues Concert with RV’s and Camping against their disdain for the process at the prior meeting. Listening to the promoters of the Blues Concert, I thought they were living in a different universe. Testimony given was that 53 year old concert goers do not smoke pot although at public audience a resident gave her assessment of the Tedeschi Trucks concert with pot smoking, tailgating and complete chaos from a dysfunctional Performing Arts Center event run by Dave Ryan, President and Tom Vincent Manager. Did 50 year olds attend that concert?

I would like to applaud Deputy Selectman Chris Kelly for his thoughtful conclusion that the 3 day concert with RV’s and Camping is inconsistent with the character of Simsbury with a NO vote. The Planning Commission’s thoughtful conclusion with a negative referral was also ignored. In attendance at the meeting were members of the Conservation Commission that were concerned that they were not notified that the RV’s and Campers were parking in the wetlands. Had they had a referral they would have voted against this activity.

Members of the Board of Selectmen who voted in favor of the Gathering Permit for the 3 day Blues Concert with RV/s and Camping should not be reelected to office. Cheryl Cook was not in attendance for the vote.

Why did Selectman Mike Paine vote in favor of the Gathering Permit when he has a contract to remove the rubbish for the Performing Arts?

On August 7, 2017 the Board of Ethics had a meeting to review, Discussion and any necessary Motions concerning the Compliance of Selectman Mike Paine with the January 29, 2014 Advisory Opinion.

The minutes of the meeting state: “After further discussion Kevin Crimmons moved that the board authorize Rick Jones to approach First Selectman Lisa Heavner and/or Tom Cooke, Director of Administrative Services, as appropriate, to seek the guidance of the Board of Selectmen regarding the engaging of outside counsel to guide the Board.” Has action been taken with their referral?

It appears that the Simsbury Farms Revenue Fund has a deficit of approximately $115,000. The deficits are continuing to increase, leaving the taxpayers to subsidize the Golf Course. Allocation of resources with diminished revenues from the State for education and roads, we the taxpayers can no longer subsidize the Golf Course that is mostly used by non-residents. The Golf Course complex should not be a priority for tax dollars.

I recently had a conversation with Phil Schenck, the Town Manager of Bloomfield and I was told they contract their golf course to the Arnold Palmer management company with favorable results. There are advantages with professional management of the Golf Course where members can use many golf courses under their management. I would urge the Board of Selectmen to initiate a RFP for the management of the Simsbury Golf Course complex. The taxpayers can no longer support increased losses year after year.

I am not in favor of having shared parking and other services between Eno Hall and Fiddler’s Green. The assignment of spaces at Eno parking lot would not alleviate the parking from tailgating during concerts since nobody enforces the

“No Tailgating Sign” during the concerts. Also, most people will not park at Eno Hall and walk to Fiddler’s Green even if the spaces were available. The Dumpster presently on Town Land should be removed from their property. I am concerned that shared services do not make good neighbors. This is creating a bad president and should not be approved.

The Board of Selectmen should not approve authorizing Town Staff to Negotiate Construction Contract with Simscroft-Echo Farms, Inc., Mike Girard, President, for Town Forest Park Improvements. Since all the applicants were above the bid that exceeded the budget, the Town should reduce the scope and rebid the contract. Since all the bidders exceeded the budget, why give preferential treatment to one company over another? This gives the appearance of favoritism and is unprofessional.

I am concerned about the precedent of creating a Text Amendment to the Zoning Regulations to appease a single person. Now that Dave Ryan, President of the Performing Arts Center received this favorable treatment, I would like to have a text amendment that allows the Town to mow my lawn since it is on the Town right away. How many other Text Amendments is the Town going to approve for political operatives?

I am concerned that First Selectman Lisa Heavner has allowed C-Tec Solar to provide the Simsbury Community Farm with Solar Panels when they owe the town $46,943 in taxes.

The Board of Selectman should inform the residents of Simsbury who enthusiastically voted for a Town Manager, the progress of the consultant.