Simsbury Board of Selectmen Meeting September 12, 2022

Board of Selectmen Meeting September 12, 2022

Eric Wellman lost the Democratic Primary as a result of his arrogance and self-serving positions.

When Eric Wellman, a Democrat, was elected First Selectman, his first decision was to choose Republican Deputy Selectman, Sean Askham as he was solidifying his political position of working with both sides of the political landscape.

During an interview with Patch staff, after Eric Wellman’s loss to Melissa Osborne, Wellman said, “after the primary he wasn’t sure he’d work on her campaign, but he did wish her well.” These remarks don’t exemplify a team player.

Eric Wellman had perpetrated The Big Lie when questioned about his campaign gathering at the Simsbury Meadows without any Gathering Permits.

These self-serving qualities are realized on his positions on the Board of Selectmen with his votes, aligning himself with a failing Town Manager’s management style.

Town Manager Maria Capriola was mentored in Mansfield by Town Manager Matt Hart. Matt Hart accepted a position as the Town Manager of West Hartford. It is alleged that Matt Hart’s management style was not compatible with West Hartford’s long-lasting previous Town Managers and was not going to have his contract renewed.

Town Manager Maria Capriola has applied the same management style as Town Manager Matt Hart in Mansfield before Maria Capriola accepted the position of Town Manager in Simsbury.

It is alleged that Maria Capriola was chosen as Simsbury’s Town Manager from a pool of weak candidates.

Maria Capriola’s management style of micro-management and abuse of power has created a toxic workplace, noted by the loss of exceptional staff.

Steve Antonio in a letter to the Board of Selectmen stated, “the Board of Selectmen is complicit as it appears, as the Town Manager is not the "boss" of our town, nor is it an elected position. The Board of Selectmen are not subordinates to the Town Manager; but rather, the supervisors, and we ask that you acknowledge what is happening to our town staff, and take action.”

If the elected officials in West Hartford had the courage to voice their concerns and replace the Town Manager with action, why can’t the Board of Selectmen in Simsbury do the same?

On November 8, 2022, Melissa Osborne will be running against the Republican candidate, Mike Paine for Simsbury’s State Representative to fill the seat vacated by John Hampton.

Mike Paine, President of Paine’s Rubbish Removal has contracts with many businesses, municipalities and residents throughout the State, with an appearance of many Conflicts of Interest.

Attorney Melissa Osborne has been an advocate for families and with her feisty leadership she will vote and advocate for family values.

The Goals of the Board of Selectmen and the Town Manager have set their priorities for the next fiscal year as presented to the Town. The most important issue that they have determined for the Town is RACISIM, not Mental Health and Addiction services.

The taxpayers have spent thousands of dollars with a band-aid approach to Mental Health and Addiction where there is a need for long-term services and Institutions that provide immediate and long-term care for persons in need.

Money should be spent for building institutions with support services for immediate and long-term care, not months or years for services.

Alcohol is allowed on Town property and Johnny-six pack can place alcoholic beverages in their golf cart or consume alcohol during sporting events.

Marijuana has become a recreational addictive substance with no rules or regulations on Town property.

Soon the Town will discuss regulations for the sale of Marijuana for public distribution, that should be denied.

Alcohol and Marijuana are addictive substances that has affected many families.

These substances should be realized as a public safety issue and should not be encouraged by Town policies.

Large amounts of taxpayer money is being spent for social services, a Comfort Dog, A promise to Jordan and Community for Care are paper tigers that cannot solve the problems of Addiction and Mental Health without an increase in services that are immediate and long-term.

Simsbury Police have been dispatched to an apartment on Hopmeadow Street for about 50 calls a month for a 52-year-old lady that consumes large amounts of Vodka and is on State Assistance. There are calls for assists, aided with ambulance and Well-Being noted in the Police Activity and Arrest Logs.

The law, as written, does not give anyone the ability to commit this person for treatment. There is a revolving door.

When there are referrals, they cannot be acted upon in a timely manner due to lack of Institutions with medical support.

Money will be well spent on buildings and therapists for long-term and immediate care to solve the Mental Health and Addiction crises. The remedies are being ignored.