Simsbury Board of Selectmen Meeting January 8, 2018

Board of Selectmen Meeting January 8, 2018

I am concerned about the attitude of Jamie Rabbitt who has told me in the past that he has a Judge that he can call upon to defend him. Jamie Rabbitt also told me that I must make an appointment to ask him a question or his staff because questions are distractions from his work. Recently, I was in the Planning Department area to wish the staff a Merry Christmas. Immediately Jamie Rabbitt, with a developer in his office blurted out about having an appointment.

Recently I was having a conversation with the Computer Manager about placing access points on buildings for more wi-fi availability when Jamie Rabbitt waved his arms from his office for the Computer Manager to stop the conversation with me.

It appears that Jamie Rabbitt has not only become unhinged but appears anxious about anyone questioning the Planning staff.

After researching his background and activities I found that Jamie Rabbitt is also on the staff of Pomfret, Sterling and Lisbon. Pomfrets’s website has Jamie Rabbitt as Town Planner,

The minutes of the November 21, 2017 meeting of the Sterling Planning and Zoning Commission notes Jamie Rabbitt as staff.

Lisbon has acknowledged Jamie Rabbitt as former Town Planner on the Plan of Conservation and Development 2016.

It seems unconceivable that anyone can have four full time jobs without using Simsbury’s Town staff, computer, printer, phone, email and other resources while working for Simsbury with a salary over $115,000.

All my allegations regarding Jamie Rabbitt should be investigated by staff.

I have asked Town staff to research whether Jamie Rabbitt has a contract with the Town that allows him outside employment and the stipulations for his outside employment and allow me to review the file.

I am very concerned that the Town has created a toxic environment within the town. There are a few residents who have established a “special status” by volunteering for many boards and commissions, giving them the ability to bully residents. On Thursday, December 21, 2017 Nick Mason, a “special status” person interrupted my conversation with a Simsbury Police Officer in the Town Hall parking lot that was taped, to ask the Officer to arrest me, not once but twice. Along with all Nick Mason’s associations, he is on the Board of Directors of the Simsbury Bank. It appears to me that Nick Mason is a bully and should not represent the Simsbury Bank. I am asking that the Simsbury Bank remove him from the Board of Directors. The Simsbury Bank has not updated their website, saying that, “he serves as an elected member of the Town of Simsbury Board of Finance.” He does not.

Another “special status person” is Dave Moore. As Vice- Chairman of the Democratic Party he stated at a meeting that he was going to contribute $1000 to the Party and $100 to each candidate. Reviewing Eric Wellman’s campaign finance report, Dave Moore contributed $20 to Wellman’s campaign, the lowest amount of any contribution.

Dave Moore, Chairman of the Board of Ethics where I filed a complaint that Mark Scully did not report on his ethics form his solar company while serving on the Clean Energy Task Force.

My complaint also included the fact that Dave Ryan, President of the SPAC, did not notice this on his Conflict of Interest form.

Both signed forms do not note any exceptions, which appear to be a violation of the Code of Ethics, which I submitted.

The Board of Ethics dismissed my complaint,” for lack of detail evidencing any section of Code of Ethics that had been violated.” The submission of the Ethics form notes the Charter Section 1103 and states, “Violation by any such official, board or commission member of employee of the provisions of this section shall be grounds for removal.” This appears to be self-explanatory. It appears that the Board of Ethics is unethical.

Tom Cooke, past Director of Administrative Services, retired and was rehired on a part-time basis. Tom Cooke was given a severance package of $58,654.

I have never heard of an “at will” public employee getting a severance package.

Tom Roy, Public Works Director has purchased a truck for his work and personal use for $18,178. The purchase went through the normal bidding process. Mitchell Selig Ford was not the low bidder.

Steve Mitchell has come before the Town touting his “special status” with the Town and his life-long commitment to the Town. However, when it comes to getting a low bid on Town cars, he does not deliver. Maybe everyone, as my bumper sticker states should, “Boycott Mitchell Auto Dealership.”

I would like to report that Eno Farms Housing will not be sold and will remain under the control of CHFA with Konover Mangement.