Improvements to three multi-use paths and a Tariffville emergency shelter generator study were items approved for reconsideration by the Simsbury Board of Selectmen Monday night.
The board voted unanimously to request the board of finance restore the requested amount for improvements to multi-use paths on Owens Brook Boulevard and West Street and for repairs to the Farmington Valley Greenway instead of using the funds to purchase a generator for the Tariffville emergency shelter and other town shelter improvements.
The board of finance recently approved a revised Capital Improvements Program budget which reduced the requested amount for improvements to multi-use paths on Owens Brook Boulevard and West Street and repairs to the Farmington Valley Greenway. The board approved $190,000 of the requested $358,000 for the project and $242,000 for the study and purchase of a new generator.
"Under this scenario we could not do any greenway improvements at all," First Selectwoman Mary Glassman said.
The improvements were requested in the town's 2012-2013 fiscal year budget and rejected by the board of finance. This year the board approved a reduced amount that would not allow for full completion of the projects, Glassman said.
Town Engineer Richard Sawitzke suggested the town use the $190,000 approved by the board of finance for the West Street and Owens Brook Boulevard improvements and deferring improvements to the greenway.
The board of selectmen ultimitely decided to defer the purchase of a new generator for the Tariffville emergency shelter until a study is conducted.
The board voted unanimously to restore full funding for the multi-use path improvements budget to $358,000 and use any remaining funds to pay for the generator and emergency shelter study.
Selectwoman Lisa Heavner said the priortization of the projects did not reflect the board's desire to see them all completed.
"Obviously it doesn't make sense to fund the generator until you know what you need," Heavner said. "That's why that was sort of a lower priority, not because we don't think it's important. We put forward all of these because we think the town needs to do all these projects."
Heavner said the town could be held liable for any injuries that occur on the multi-use paths because they have prior knowledge of the defects. Safety was a main consideration in prioritization of the projects, according to Heavner.
Town officials expect to receive reimbursements from FEMA after costs associated with Winter Storm Alfred which could be used to cover the cost of replacing the Tariffville generator.
Other projects approved by both boards include: $2 million for the Ethel Walker Phase II project; $1.8 million for the Board of Education network infrastructure project; $185,000 for dispatch radio console replacements; and $1.3 million for the Wolcott Pump Station rehabilitation.
The Board of Finance will hold a public budget hearing Tuesday night at 7 p.m. in the Simsbury High School auditorium.
For a complete look at the proposed .
