Board of Selectmen Meeting May 29, 2019

Board of Selectmen Meeting May 29, 2019

It was very disappointing to get the results of the Budget Referendum that only 6% of the voting public participated.

The Board of Selectmen budget increased 14.03% and the Board of Education Budget increased 2.5%. According to the flyer sent to all homes, the 5-year average of the Board of Selectmen was 4.95% and the Board of Education was 1.56%.

The total Town Budget for 2019/2020 is 91,108,561 an increase of 3,558,363. The Mill Rate including the Fire District tax is 38.52 Mills, an increase from 37.58 Mills.

The budget was reduced to an increase of 4.06% through the use of one-time revenues that will not be sustained.

The Town has reduced Town revenues by using the abatement policy to give tax abatements to private individuals for renovations to buildings and waivers for Building permits.

The Town has given waivers and reduced police overt-time payments to the Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center, a politically active private organization.

Another application for tax abatement that came before the Board of Selectmen is from Ensign Bickford. Ensign Bickford (EBA&D) was given a tax abatement and waivers on construction, drastically reducing revenues to the Town.

According to testimony from Mr. Walsh saying that this project is just one phase of a continued expansion. He said that EBA&D is trying to determine whether this is the best place for the company to grow. He said that the company has options in Colorado and California, and that they will scale back on their investment if they do not see a future here.

Mr. Walsh said that EBA&D’s share of the property taxes with Dyno Nobel continues to increase. He said that this request is relevant to their ability to stay in Simsbury long-term.

This proposal appears to enhance Dyno-Noble, a multi-international corporation that owns the property while Ensign Bickford is leasing the property. Ensign Bickford has already moved their administrative staff to Colorado, a signal that this might be a short-term strategy while the taxpayers have diminished revenues on a failed project. We have no guarantee that Dyno-Nobel or Ensign Bickford will remain in town with or without tax incentives.

When I voted for a Town Manager, I thought that the flood-gates of political incentives would be diminished. Taxes have increased and all the Boards, Commission and sub-committees of the Board of Selectmen have not proved that there are any accomplishments. In my opinion it appears that all the Boards, Commissions and Committees are “busy going nowhere.”

The Wagner property has been vacant for years, Andy’s Plaza has been vacant for years, Big Y has a For Sale sign on their property with no offers with the Barn also for sale.

The Tower Ridge Country Club on Nod Road is shuttered with only a maintenance staff to cut the grass on the closed Golf Course.

We have an over-supply of rental homes that will eventually lead to lower property values.

The Board of Education has spent $200,000 on a School Facilities Master Plan and Reconfiguration Study.

With decreased enrollment in the schools there will be a consolidation of students with a closing of schools.

There should be a consolidation of schools: Kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd grade to 5th grade, 6th through 8th in the middle school and 9-12 in the High School.

This would eliminate at least one school and possibly two over the years.

According to the report there are many deficiencies in the schools that are old and will require a substantial amount of Capital expenditures over the years.

The Board of Finance should have continued discussion of the challenges in future expenditures needed by the Board of Education as highlighted in the consultant report.

Background material for the Facilities Report stated that Simsbury’s population is aging. The median age increased from 41.7 years old to 44.7 years old. As Simsbury’s population is aging and with an increase of Assisted Living Developments in Town, adding more senior citizens with medical needs.

This increase in an aging population will place an extreme stress on the ambulance services. Both Fire Department and Volunteer Ambulance Services are advertising for volunteers as they have diminished volunteers.

The Simsbury Dispatch staff has continually been stressed trying to find volunteer ambulance services to supply staff for critical medical needs where time is in the essence.

It is time that the Board of Selectmen invite AMR staff to come before the Board to make a presentation on their performance and delivery of services with paid full-time staff.

Time is essential in the delivery of services to medical calls.

As Simsbury ages and the demands are increased for Ambulance services, we can no longer count on volunteers for Ambulance services.

The Board of Selectmen should be pro-active in providing the critical needs of the Simsbury community and invite AMR to educate the Board.