Board of Selectmen Meeting June 24, 2019

Board of Selectmen Meeting June 24, 2019

Recently there was an article in the Hartford Courant reporting on the closing of the Flower Bridge for the construction of a park.

According to the article First Selectman Eric Wellman stated, “Wellman proposed that after construction, residents will be given the opportunity to picnic and canoe along the river creating an overall more interactive experience.”

Was First Selectmen Eric Wellman aware that any water activity on the river from the park will require State and Federal permits?

The area that accommodates use of boating on the river is the Crew launching area on Town owned property for access to the river.

According to a Town posting, “On June 12, 2019 thirty business owners, Town officials, and member of the Economic Development Commission (EDC) gathered at Westminster School to discuss issues facing business owners in the Town of Simsbury and how the Town can help make it a better place to do business. From signage regulations to parking, the group discussed the challenges facing current business owners and those looking to open businesses here in Town=and what we can do to change it.”

Under Town Culture: “other challenges include parking and traffic control, signages restrictions, and communication between local and state government and businesses. Town Manager Maria Capriola has been working to foster a customer service-oriented in Town Hall with culture of “How Can We Help?”

The Board of Selectmen approved the closing of the Flower Bridge impacting the wedding season, impacting the banquet halls. This is counter to the mission of the EDC.

The Flower Bridge was closed during the height of the wedding season leaving the banquet facilities with weddings reserved a year in advance that use the Flower Bridge for a photo op. The Flower Bridge is a marketing tool for weddings. Now the Bride and Groom will have to Photoshop themselves on the Flower Bridge into their wedding album and the business are receiving the complaints.

There are businesses that complain about enforcing signage violations in a timely manner.

Recently there was a rush to judgement with a “stop work order” causing a business time and money to rectify the mistake. An apology was written to the owner for the misunderstanding. This is not business friendly.

The Board of Selectmen give out abatements and waivers like candy to special interest groups that impact other businesses that do not receive this treatment.

The Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts (PAC), a private non-profit organization has received thousands of dollars in waivers for permits and reduced payments for Police Overtime. All private duty Police jobs by private businesses in Town pay the higher costs. Eversource pays the highest taxes in Town and they are required to pay the higher costs for Police overtime. The additional money from overtime is used by the Police to support special equipment, lowering their budget. Is this business friendly?

To justify the lower fees and waivers, the Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center members testified before the Board of Selectmen that they have lost money and need reduced fees to be competitive in signing up concerts.

However, after reviewing the 990 Federal tax returns submitted in 2016 the PAC’s total assets were $110.034 and in 2017 their total assets were $186,533, an increase in assets.

Did the Board of Selectmen, our elected officials representing the taxpayers ask the right questions during the discussions? Are they more interested in getting reelected than protecting the taxpayers who pay the bills?

A recent article in the Hartford Courant listed the free outdoor evening concerts in Greater Hartford. Listed were 20 free Town concerts. Missing from the article was Simsbury. Simsbury has the private PAC charging fees for concerts on Town property, entrance fees for events and promotes events with people parking in all the private and public parking areas, leaving businesses without parking and roads closed that inconvenience property owners.

The PAC has fenced off Simsbury Meadows with a green fabric that detracts from the park. Simsbury has the only park that places fencing around the park to deter people from enjoying the park.

The green fencing is unkept, an eyesore and the complete antithesis of the image the Town of Simsbury wants to project.

Fist Selectmen Eric Wellman appears to be concerned with regulating vaping to restrict the use of addictive substances. There has been lengthy discussion about addiction at Community for Care without any discussion of the PAC concerts having the attendees using Marijuana on Town land without any enforcement.

With an increase in vaping and use of marijuana at concerts, several people who are asthmatic are affected with smoke. Driving under the influence is an accident waiting to happen.

If the Town is really serious about reducing the increase in addiction in our society, there should be the elimination of using addictive substances on Town property.