First Selectman's Report - October 28, 2013 - Mary A. Glassman

FIRST SELECTMAN’S REPORT - October 28, 2013

 Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 2013 – Remember to Vote!

 Polls will be open for municipal elections on Tuesday, November 5, 2013 from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.  The Registrars would like to remind the public that we have four polling locations:

Henry James Memorial School

Latimer Lane School

Tootin Hills School

Tariffville School

If you are not sure where to vote, you can contact the Office of the Registrar of Voters at (860) 658-3267 of (860) 658-3269.  You can also visit the Town of Simsbury’s website at www.simsbury-ct.gov and go to the Registrar of Voters page.  They have a look-up link that will help you to find the appropriate poll.

 New Voter Deadline: New voters who wish to cast a ballot at the polls must appear in person at the Office of the Registrar of Voters by 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 29 to register.  The Registrar’s Office is right here in Town Hall and it will be open until 8:00 p.m.

 Election Day Registration: Individuals who choose to participate in Connecticut’s Election Day Registration program, new for this election, should appear in person at Simsbury Town Hall during voting hours on November 5. Please bring valid ID to register. Election Day Registration must be completed by 8:00 p.m. in order to cast a ballot. The EDR process is expected to take approximately 30 minutes, so please prepare to arrive with sufficient time to vote.

 Once again, if you have any questions about voting next Tuesday, please contact the Office of the Registrar of Voters at (860) 658-3267 of (860) 658-3269.

 Simsbury Awarded Connecticut Magazine’s Top Ranking for Towns With $225,000-$299,999 Median Home Sale Prices

 I am pleased to report that the Town of Simsbury came in first in Connecticut Magazine’s recent rating of Connecticut towns with median home prices of $225,000 to $299,999.

 In the past, Connecticut Magazine has grouped towns based on population size.  The magazine now compares towns with similar median home sale prices because, in their words, “when people consider where they want to live, they’re fare more likely to consider what they can afford than they are to think about how many people live in a particular municipality.  There were forty-one (41) towns in our category of median home prices of $225,000 to $299,999, and Simsbury came in first.

 The towns were compared on the quality of public schools, crime rate, local economy, leisure and cultural activities and civic engagement (based on voter turnout in 2012).  Connecticut Magazine stated that “Simsbury, with the best public schools and second-highest voter turnout in the group, landed in the top spot, with Glastonbury and Granby – two other towns with excellent public schools – following in the top three.

 This confirms what Simsbury residents already know – Simsbury is not just an incredible place to live – it is an incredible value as well.

 Halloween Party Reminder!

I am pleased to report that there are no hurricanes, tornadoes or tsunamis on the radar for this Halloween.  But that is not going to stop us from offering a Halloween party this Wednesday!

This is just a reminder that regardless of the weather, the Town of Simsbury will host a free town-wide Halloween celebration on Wednesday, October 30 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at the Library (located at 725 Hopmeadow Street).  Admission is free, and festivities include a magic display, storytelling, trick-or-treating and more.  Wear costumes because there will be a costume parade, decorate your trick or treat bag and celebrate the holiday in the safety of our Library!

The event is open to the public.  Each child wearing a costume will receive a coupon for a free kid’s scoop of ice cream from J. Foster’s, located at 894 Hopmeadow Street.

Once again, our Culture, Parks and Recreation staff, the Simsbury Public Library Children’s Room and Simsbury Social Services staff are making this event possible.  If you have questions, please contact Gerry Toner at 860-408-4682.