Simsbury Board of Selectmen Meeting October 23, 2024

Board of Selectmen Meeting October 23, 2024

Tonight, I would like to announce that I am retiring from the self-imposed position of Town watchdog and hope that the gauntlet will be passed to a younger generation.

Government will only be successful when there are checks and balances.

Government should be by the people and for the people.

We should never lose sight that our elected officials are servants of the people and assume their responsibilities in that manner.

Over the years I have met many nice people and interacted with many people who asked for help being their voice, when needed.

Simsbury has changed over the years and will continue to evolve as we move forward.

I would hope that all changes in policy would be a benefit to the taxpayers as they are entrusting the elected and appointed officials to do what is good for the community.

Changes have been made over the years as the community has grown.

We have gone from a town meeting to a referendum vote for the budget.

At the last Charter Revision Commission, the form of government was changed from a 1st Selectman as the Chief Executive Officer to a professional Town Manager.

There were pockets in town of contamination from the chemicals used in the tobacco industry.

Culbro was the responsible party and had to pay for the contaminated wells to be sealed and run town water to the homes.

Virginia Connolly and Owen Murphy homes were built on the Amos Eno property deeded to the Town for the poor.

Eno Farms Affordable Housing was built through a state grant for the infrastructure and a collection of money used to build the complex.

Eno Farms Affordable Housing still remains in violation of the Eno deed as the property is for low and very low income families, not moderate income.

This is slowly being addressed to be following the land records.

The Town Farm is of concern as an integral part of the Eno Deed and should be remedied for compliance.

Tonight, the Board of Selectmen are choosing the applicants for the Charter Revision Commission with many applicants involved in Town politics over the years and should revise the Charter to reflect the present and future needs of the community as it grows.

The Town has purchased land over the years for open space that should remain as was intended.

Simsbury taxes are extremely high compared to the surrounding towns and should be reviewed to consolidate many the drivers of the budget.

We have many good professional employees that have been serving the Town over the years that provided professional service to the community.

Public Audience is now protected through a legal resolution that will guide the town and remind all that serve that free speech is a protected right of every citizen and should never be challenged.

As a reminder, the government is for the people and by the people to express their concerns in a public forum.

As I go forward for my next chapter in my life cycle I will remain as an advocate for government responsibility to serve the people of Simsbury and will from time to time express my opinions.

Thank you for listening to my concerns over the years.

I hope that I have contributed to responsible government.