Joan Coe
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Board of Selectmen - June 26, 2006 - 2006/08/20 08:04
Board of Selectmen – June 26, 2006
At the last meeting, First Selectman Tom Vincent stated that people coming before the Board of Selectmen are misinformed. and are disseminating false information . After many years of bringing issues before this board without any response from First Selectman Tom Vincent he decided to challenge my comments pertaining to the Hartford Courant Box being placed at the entrance to the Performing Arts Center on Iron Horse Boulevard. First Selectman Tom Vincent challenged my comments by saying that my comments pertaining to the Hartford Courant having a business on Town property and having the Hartford Courant box there for several days and being there on the morning of June 12, when I passed Tom Vincent on Iron Horse Boulevard at 8 AM., was misinformation. I have two pictures of the Hartford Courant box time and date stamped on June 8, at 11 AM and 2 PM. Therefore, the Hartford Courant was doing business on Town property at least from June 8 to June 12. With all important concerns I brought before this board, Vincent decided to challenge my information on this insignificant issue. However, Tom Vincent was WRONG! WRONG! WRONG! challenging my statement that the Hartford Courant Box was at the entrance at 8 AM, on June 12, when Vincent said it was not. In a letter I received from Chief Ingvertsen on June 22, he wrote, “ As requested the Hartford Courant box which was located on Iron Horse Boulevard at the entrance to the Simsbury Performing Arts Center was removed on June 12, 2006, at approximately 9:30 AM.” Therefore, First Selectman Tom Vincent was WRONG! WRONG! WRONG! It was there at 8 AM and removed about 9:30 AM. Therefore, I would like to have a public apology from First Selectman Tom Vincent before this board to correct the public record. Why has First Selectman Tom Vincent made an issue on a non-issue and has done nothing on serious public policy issues that has been brought before this board? Why has First Selectman Tom Vincent allowed his wife’s business to continue on 499 Hopmeadow Street with several zoning violations? Why haven’t any fines been levied? Isn’t that more important than trying to malign my integrity?
I would like to inform this board that the Connecticut Housing FinanceAuthority has given CIL notice that Eno Farms Housing is in default of their mortgage payment. The letter to Mr.Legault, CIL president, dated April 18, 2006, states,”Please be advised that the Authority is herein providing formal notice that you are in default under the terms of your Mortgage and demands that this default ($123,214.26) be fully cured with thirty (30) days. If satisfactory arrangements to resolve all outstanding obligations are not made within 30 days, CHFA will direct counsel to pursue all available legal remedies to protect the Authority’s interest.” Is this letter of default a more important issue than when the Hartford Courant box was removed? What response does First Selectman Tom Vincent have on this issue?
I would like to inform this board that the June 12 agenda had 7 notations for executive session. Only noting the General Statutes for executive session was in violation of the Freedom of Information Act because it was lacking in specificity. After being alerted of this violation it has been corrected on the June 26 agenda and I would hope that this model will be continued.
While driving on Iron Horse Boulevard I noticed that the Simscroft-Echo business had increased the buildings on the property. Upon my review of Town records I found that these buildings did not have any site plans or permits. Upon further review there were many permits missing, no permit for a spray booth, no certificates of occupancy, no approval of site plans. There were no completed permits or inspections for gas tanks. Has anyone reviewed these structures for compliance? The aerial photo of the property shows only two buildings in 2004, and now the pictures show extra buildings and several above ground tanks. Should Simscroft- Echo do business with the town when according to town records they are not in compliance?
I also noticed a sign for Mosquito spraying in close proximity to the children’s playground at the Simsbury Meadows. Is the control of mosquitoes more important than the health and safety of the children?
I was shocked to find that two Simsbury police officers received huge payments for Heart and Hypertension. Sgt. Brian Logan received $107,172 for a 30% disability and Lt. John Mendela received $139,323.60 for a 39% disability. This amount comes out of the General Fund and is tax free. Are their Heart and Hypertension compensation claims based on hereditary or life style issues as opposed to being work-related?
A recent Hartford Courant article described the negotiations between the Trust for Public Land and Ethel Walker School for open space. The town’s share would be $11 million. Is this amount in keeping with town’s debt policy? We the people have just appropriated $6 million for a library renovation and addition and $6 million for additions and renovations to Tariffville School. Additions and renovations to Latimer Lane School are on radar screen. And we recently voted $43 million for the High School. How much indebtedness can the taxpayers’ absorb?
I would like to object to the unanimous vote of the personnel subcommittee to increase First Selectman Tom Vincent’s salary from $98,000 a year to $110,000 a year. I would urge this board to deny this outlandish increase for a failed administration. How many union employees have received a $12,000 a year increase? This kind of “ in your face mentality” has created poor morale with the union employees who are expected to give back more and more. How many unions are going to arbitration because of the failed negotiations? Will Vincent’s enormous salary increase affect the ruling from the arbitration panel? I would hope that in the next election the voters remember this vote and deny anyone who voted for this fiasco a position on this board. This is bad public policy and another indication that cronyism affects public policy. Simsbury needs professional management.
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