Joan Coe
User Platinum Board Member
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BOARD OF SELECTMAN - PUBLIC AUDIENCE - JUNE 9, 2008 - 2008/06/09 22:03
Board of Selectmen – June 9, 2008 This administration has betrayed the trust that Simsbury voters placed in you by not initiating a process for Town Manager. Every recent Charter Revision Commission and consultant for the town has stated that a Town Manager would professionalize the office of First Selectman. Every time this issue has been discussed it has been rejected on party lines. This issue is not about party persuasion but what would benefit the town. It’s not about the Democratic Party that endorses a Town Manager and the Republican Party that has continued to reject what is best for the town. It is time that both parties join together and convene a Charter Revision Commission immediately. I request that this issue becomes an agenda item for discussion at the next meeting. Can this issue be placed on the agenda?
I would like to inform this board that I have received the full and complete internal investigation of Captain Sevetz and I am deeply disturbed that the findings of the investigation did not lead to termination. According to Chief Ingvertsen’s summary a written reprimand was issued to Captain Sevetz. It states, “As a result of Internal Affairs Investigation 2007-02, it has been discovered that you improperly requested a subordinate officer to check on your wife’s whereabouts. The department and a subordinate officer should not have become involved in a matter that was of a strictly personal nature and is in direct violation of General Order 26.3 Police Manual-Section D Prohibited Conduct (2) Conduct unbecoming an officer. For this reason, you are being issued this written reprimand which will remain in your personnel file.” The subordinate Officer was Sgt. Cavanaugh, Head of the Detective Division, who has recently retired.
Recently there was an investigation into allegations that Don Rust, Jr., Senor Crew Leader, came to work under the influence of alcohol. Don Rust, Jr. has possession of the town truck 24/7. As a result of the findings he was placed on unpaid leave February 18, 2008 and returned on April 4, 2008. Part of the job description of Senior Crew Leader, ensures high standards of work quality and output and assists with employee training and safety program.” How can someone with an alleged drinking problem run a safety program in the highway department? It also appears from the investigation that there was abusive behavior in the workplace. It appears that these are serious allegations, causing a hostile work environment and could place the town in jeopardy. Why does Don Rust, Jr. still drive a town truck and why has he not been fired from his job?
At the last meeting I asked the town to investigate allegations that a private individual other than Tom Vincent, living on Drumlin Road had his driveway plowed during snowstorms. It is my opinion that the town did not do a full scale investigation and only interviewed the Foreman of the Highway Department and not the driver assigned to the Drumlin Road route. Using the highway department for personal snowplowing should not be condoned. I would ask that the town vigorously pursue these allegations.
Recently Culbro has dumped loads of manure on the Meadowood property and has distributed throughout the fields. Manure has a high content of nitrates that could contaminate the aquifer and go into the surrounding wells. Nitrates are dangerous for child-bearing mothers, could cause blue babies and cause harm to small children. The vegetables grown in the fields could have high nitrate content levels. I would urge the town to ask Culbro to test the nearby wells, vegetables and the aquifer for nitrate contamination.
Recently Paine’s Rubbish Removal was fined $20,000 in a negotiated settlement from CRRA. The fine was imposed for,” damages from revenues lost due to the diversion of fiber recyclables from the Mid-Connecticut Regional Recycling Facility.” Who paid the $20,000, Paine’s or the Town?
On Friday, June 6, the police responded to a report of a chicken in the road.. When they responded they found the chicken was stuffed with an improvised explosive devise and had a fuse coming out of the back end. The police closed the road while the bomb squad responded. After about an hour the road was open and the chicken was detonated by the bomb squad on site. This prank could have had serious consequences. Has anyone been arrested?
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