Board of Selectmen Meeting June 9, 2014 My Comments

Board of selectmen June 9, 2014

On May 31, 2014, there was a fundraiser at the high school for the Music Department which was approved by Principal Neil Sullivan.  There were balloon banners placed at the entrance to the high school, banners at the entrance to the cafeteria where about 20 mattresses were displayed and many signs distributed throughout the high school parking lot. The fundraising organization was CFS, Custom Fundraising Solutions and they were the distributers of the mattresses that were on sale in the cafeteria. However, Principal Neil Sullivan approved this event without consulting the town on the permitted use of signs. According to town staff there was no permits issued for numerous temporary signs which are subject to the approval of the Zoning Official. Banners are not compliant, in violation of the zoning regulations.  This is not the first time that Principal Neil Sullivan showed poor judgment and disregard for town and Board of Education policies and regulations. Several years ago there was a bullying issue that was ignored for over 21/2 years reaching an unsustainable level that the parents had to leave town to maintain the safety of their children. Then there was a water pong event at the high school during a teacher workshop where a student entered the building and documented the event, knowing that this activity should not be played in the high school gym with the teacher participation. Another event was allowing students to bring skateboards to the high school for Senior Day that disrupted classes and dangerous during hall passage. There was an incident at Simsbury High School during Spirit Week causing the “Pep Rally” to be canceled.  According to the police dispatch tape a person under the direction of Neil Sullivan, Principal of Simsbury High School on October 18, 2013, asked for police cruisers to go to the High School because,  “senior class is going crazy. They are running through the halls yelling. They are outside at the football field. They are out of control.. .. the entire senior class”.   Presently the high school bleachers have caution tape over a section due to instability of the bleachers. The bleachers have been unstable for over a year. Recently in the news there was an incident at Fairfield  High School with bleachers collapsing. It appears our High School bleachers have caution tape on them and are being patched but the stability of the bleachers should be reassessed for stress since students are jumping on the seats, making them unstable. Luckily, nobody has been hurt.   How can a Principal of a High School maintain discipline with all these issues?  Where is the leadership?  Was Principal Neil Sullivan given a performance evaluation over the years?

I recently  I had a conversation with Dave Richman, the owner of 730 Hopmeadow Street  about his continued zoning violations over the years and a fine of over $20,000 for his refusal to build a permanent handicapped ramp on his property and remove the temporary one that is non-complaint in front of his office building. He is being fined  $150 a day since November and the tab keeps getting larger. Dave Richman said that he doesn’t care about the fines because he is not going to pay them.  Who gave him that impression? Is this politics as usual?

I would like to know when Town Attorney Bob Decrescenzo is going to resolve the issue with 33 Canal Street as a medical building in a R-15 residential zone. According to the pseudo Town Manager, Tom Cooke, our Town Attorney is prompt in his giving opinions to the Town. However, this issue has been brought to your attention when Representative John Hampton began renting a room at the residence. When will I receive a response to my allegations that the use of this building as a medical facility is inconsistent with the Zoning regulations?

The town building department had this promotional flyer from Miner’s Lumber and HBRA displayed in their office. Private organizations should not be allowed to advertize in Town Hall. Who gave them permission to promote this business activity?

Recently there was an article in the Courant Home Finder about homes being built in Powder Forest called Carson Way. Many years ago when plans were proposed to build homes in Powder Forest there was recognition that Black Powder , an explosive manufactured by Ensign Bickford was disposed in an area in the Powder Forest. The article states that there are walking trails etc. on the property. Is this in close proximity to the buried explosive waste area?

I recently asked the town staff for an accounting on the Triathlon that took place on May 18. At the present time the financials have not been completed and nobody has been paid.  Where is the money? Why the delay?

I would like to report that the first 1 PM closing of Town offices on Friday was a disaster. The Board of Education was open until 4:30, leaving the doors to Town Hall open. The police department was open. There was an irate customer at the Clerk’s Office demanding a marriage license. The Clerk’s Office couldn’t close until 1:45 PM. The Selectman’s Office Secretary was working after hours, along with the Deputy Director of Administrative Services, Sean Kimball.  Many people entered the building only to find that the Town offices were closed. This closing was not thought thru, another reason for professional management.