Board of Selectmen Meeting June 10, 2019

Board of Selectmen Meeting June 10, 2019

Recently there has been discussion to move the soccer fields from Curtis Park to the Meadowood Triangle on Barndoor Hills Road due to the high levels of water on the fields. Petitions have been circulated to consider the Triangle.

However, in 2007 as a result of extensive negotiations with the River Bend Associates, the Town acquired the Triangle with Conservation Restrictions that would restrict the use of the property.

It could be used for agricultural and farming use which is restricted to floral and vegetable farming. The use of a temporary stand not larger than 600 sq. ft. for the sale of produce produced on the premises.

Non-paved parking is permissible. However, this might affect the aquifer in the area which has a history of contamination. There are testing sites on the property.

According the Deed (7) There shall be no storage or placement of any equipment, natural of man-made materials or substances upon the premises, other than such materials reasonably necessary for authorized agricultural and farming uses or the establishment of active recreational facilities limited to playing fields and passive recreational facilities, such as walking trails, and picnic areas, including no more than six port-o-potties, and an appropriate number of refuse containers.

These requirements were established prior to the Town’s rules eliminating trash containers.

The Soccer groups on Curtis Park use temporary lighting in the fields late in the season that remain in fields for the duration of the season.

The Recreation Department has a facility management study which should be completed before more fields are expanded and the costs associated with these projects.

The Conservation Commission should review all the stipulations in the Deed restrictions and the implications of active recreational activities and expanded use of the fields for the environmental impact to the aquifers.

The Town acquired the Tobacco Barn on the Triangle. This barn appears to be Blighted according to the Town’s regulations. The door to the barn is missing and a wooden structure is on the over-grown grass at its door. There are materials left over from the tobacco use at the barn entrance. This appears to meet the definition of a Blighted structure but is also a risk to the community.

After reviewing the Police Log for Sunday June 2, I noted that there was a Death Investigation and then later in the day, follow-ups. It appeared to me that this timeline was incorrect. Since this is an on-going investigation, there are many allegations regarding this case that cannot be corroborated. Listed in the Hartford Courant Obituaries on Sunday, June 9, the person named came from a family that has had many interactions with the Simsbury Police over the years.

This investigation when concluded should be open and transparent for the public to review.

According to Simsbury’s Finance Director the Golf Course has lost money year after year with a continual enhancement from money from the taxpayers.

Over the years many Town’s realized that maintaining a Golf Course is extremely expensive to maintain and has contracted their Golf Courses to specialized companies such as the Billy Casper Group, Arnold Palmer, Troon Golf and others.

With the closing of the Tower Ridge Golf Course these companies may be interested in a contractual agreement with the Town. Since they have the ability of mass purchasing power and expertise, the Town could reduce the costs of the Golf Course and reduce the taxes for the Simsbury taxpayers.

The Simsbury Farms Feasibility Study should include contracting out the Golf Course.

The Contract between the Town of Simsbury and the Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center (PAC) requires the PAC to submit an audit report that identifies their profits and losses. This report has not been submitted for review.

Recently the Hartford Courant has published full page ads from the JUUL company that manufactures and distributes e-cigarettes and are owned by the cigarette companies. Although they warn against becoming addictive their deceptive marketing strategy is for everyone to switch from cigarettes to vaping products which have been proven to be more addictive with severe health risks. The vaping products have been marketed to children with various flavored additives. These products are more addictive than cigarettes. Students are disciplined in school if caught. There is now a sensor that can detect the vapors. This tool should be used in all schools.

At the May 29, 2019 meeting of the Board of Selectmen Eric Wellman described his interaction with the residents abutting the Solar Panels, promising them conditions that were not under his purview. The Town is no longer involved with the Solar Panels and all discussions should be addressed to the owners of the Solar Panels, not Eric Wellman. Eric Wellman should not use his platform on the Board of Selectmen for self-promotion.