Board of Selectmen July 8, 2013 My Comments

Board of Selectmen  July 8, 2013

Simsbury is presently at a crossroad with The Hartford leaving a $1.6 million shortfall in the budget and this administration continues to give a large portion of our taxes to lobby groups to get reelected.  The Main Street Partnership is a non-profit organization that assists the businesses in the Center Zone. Although they have continued to work with these select businesses they should not be afforded $50,000 of taxpayer money year after year. WFSB reported  The Hartford Financial Services Group, dubbed one of the state's biggest insurance companies, is closing its 33-acre campus off Hopmeadow Street and is relocating roughly 1,500 employees to offices in Hartford and Windsor over the next two years.  The deficit to the Grand List will be $1.6 million. This administration has used tax dollars to study and study without any results. The Board of Education has declining enrollment year after year with fewer children participating in athletic events, leaving a short fall in the revenue stream for athletic programs. The Golf course has lost money year after year and this administration has to decide the future administration of the Golf Course. According to testimony given to the Board of Finance at their June 18, 2013 meeting , Gerry Toner, Director of the Farms stated  the Golf Course is losing money.  Toner stated that Golf is  the largest revenue stream at the Farms with Golf becoming more competitive year after year. Specials such as savenowct  deals through the Courant giving 50% off the Golf Course is used mostly by non-residents. What is the cost to the Simsbury taxpayers for each of these specials  and how many non-residents use these coupons and return to play?   There have been promotions giving non-residents fees equal to residents. There have been deficits of $92,000 and $82,000 of Golf revenue picked up by the Simsbury Taxpayers and this year there will be a deficit too. It was stated that 50% of the Golf rounds are used by non-residents having the Simsbury taxpayers paying for non-residents to use our taxpayer subsidized Golf Course. Most people who buy homes in Simsbury are more interested in the school system then paying taxes for non-residents to use our golf course. Toner stated that resident rounds of golf are down substantially. It is time that this board decides whether Simsbury taxpayers can or should support a Golf Course that is losing money year after year. The golf course is no longer a treasure but a burden on the taxpayers of Simsbury. We can no longer have self serving Golf lobbyists insist on the status quo.

The Board of Education has projected that this year there will be 88 fewer students enrolled in the schools and a projection of a continued reduction in enrollment year after year. This projection of fewer students is also reflected in Youth hockey which fewer teams and less ice time at Simsbury Farms Ice Rink. There have been no swim fee increases in the last three years although costs have been going up year after year.  The highest fee increases were placed on the Paddle Players since they do not have a lobbying group to demand lower fees as do the hockey and golf groups. Has anyone asked Toner what the overhead costs are for each round of Golf? What are the overhead costs of each person at the skating rink?  It is time that this administration review all the recreational activities at the Farms and demand a cost benefit analysis on all activities at the Farms. This administration should have an independent audit of Simsbury Farms.

There has been much discussion on the June 22,  Harry Connick,Jr.Concert  at the Performing Arts. Many people were concerned that the cost to sit on the grass was too high and BYOB was eliminated. This was reflected in only ½ of the field being filled. I was told that the acoustics were poor with the sound quality deficient and the visibility from the grass area was also poor. Simsbury has touted itself as a bicycle friendly community but there were no bike racks at the concert for the bicyclists that attended.. HMMMM! Has this board received the full accounting of the revenues and expenditures from the Harry Connick Jr. Concert? 

Recently NBCCONNECTICUT had a story on concussions. They stated that there were 86,000 concussions attributed to bicycle accidents which is more than football and baseball. I have heard of many bicycle accidents with serious injuries and although the persons were wearing a helmet the helmet was crushed by the fall and they had serious concussions. Bicycling on country roads are dangerous and at times a dangerous sport. As bicycle riding is encouraged so too is the increase in accidents. Now that school is out  and many children will be bicycling,  both drivers of cars and bicyclists have to observe the rules of the road. Even with all the precautions bicycling is a dangerous sport when competing for road space.

This board has been silent on their views for changing to professional management with a Town Manager to manage the town. The Simsbury residents should know the platform of the people running for office. Many residents would like to have a referendum on the Town Manager issue. All consultants reviewing town organizations has stated that Simsbury should have professional management with a Town Manager. How many board members will have this issue as part of their platform?  How many elected officials would vote for term limits? First Selectman Mary Glassman when running for office stated the she would promote a Town Manager for Simsbury and now years later, First Selectman Mary Glassman has delegated all responsibilities to an Administrative Assistant, and stated that this process has to evolve at some future time. When will the evolution be over and have the Charter reflect a Town Manager to manage Simsbury’s future?

The Eno Farms Affordable Housing complex just received another 2% increase in rent across the board. Rents are $1,185.00/month utilities not included. How can anyone living on a low or very income pay this exorbitant rent? This is inconsistent with the Eno Trust, for the poor.  Maximum annual income is $70,160.00. Is this low and very income? The Complex continues to be in litigation leaving the title to the property hostage to the lawsuit. Presently there are two vacancies and the rents are not aligned with housing for low and very income people. The light at the entry to the complex has not been replaced by the town leaving the entry compromised.  When will the town replace the light post? I would like to report that I have filed a Freedom of Information complaint pursuant to a violation of Sec. 1-231 Executive Session as a result of the June 28, 2013 Eno Farms Sub-Committee meeting..

Recently the Republican Party stated that Mike Paine will be running for a seat on the Board of Selectmen. Is it a violation of the Ethics Code to have a member of the Board of Selectmen with contracts with the town and has rubbish removal for a majority of Simsbury residents  serve as a member of the Board of Selectmen? I would like to have the Ethics Board review Mike Paine’s conflicts and give an opinion on his ability to serve on the Board of Selectmen. .