Joan Coe
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BOARD OF SELECTMEN - PUBLIC AUDIENCE - JUNE 23, 2008 - 2008/06/23 21:43
Board of Selectmen – June 23, 2008
Once again I would like to bring to your attention the need for a Town Manager as the CEO of Simsbury. Recently our past First Selectman, Tom Vincent challenged the personnel policy established for unused vacation pay. As First Selectman Vincent was the personnel director for the town and was oblivious to the established rules. Now Tom Vincent living at 60 Terry Plains Road has built a shed on his property without any permits. I have asked town staff to review this violation and to date nothing has been done. Does Tom Vincent get a special exception? According to town records Vincent does not have a Certificate of Occupancy for the renovations at his home. Vincent’s wife’s business at 499 Hopmeadow Street still is in violation of the zoning regulations. This has highlighted not only an arrogant disregard for regulations, but has also shown how a “townie” without any professional training can undermine good public policy as an elected First Selectman. Why has nothing been done by our enforcers of the rules and regulations that are established by our Charter? Simsbury is no longer a small town. We the people, with a budget of over $ 85 million not only should require this board to bring professional management to Simsbury but the taxpayers should demand it as a mandate for their reelection. No Town Manager, No Vote!
I recently drove past the Simsbury Meadows field and saw a large sign alerting the public that on June 18, a day before the Simsbury High School graduation, there was going be spraying for mosquitoes. The spraying was in close proximately to the children’s playground. This sign alerted the public that Scourge was going to be sprayed on the field. Scourge as defined in Webster’s Dictionary is, “a cause of wide or great affliction.” The health department states, “Scourge is a pesticide product that is used to control mosquitoes. Scourge can affect the nervous system, causing loss of coordination, tremors, tingling, or numbness, in areas of skin contact. Short-term exposure can cause irritation of the eye, skin, nose, throat, or lung. Vomiting or central nervous system depression may occur if solvents are ingested.” The spraying of scourge where children play on the playground and touch the equipment with the residual spray is not acceptable. Children could place their hands and fingers in their mouths after touching this pesticide. Children play on fields after the spray is applied and it could attach to clothing and skin. Should the benefits of mosquito spraying take precedent over the health and safety of the community? I am asking this board to eliminate all spraying of scourge on the fields prior to all events.
Recently I saw some activity at the Simsbury Meadows where Simscroft-Echo employees were digging out a trench on the grass and removed several PVC drainage pipes that had been torn up by town staff in what appears to be from a rototiller. The pipes had large gouges which made them unusable and had to be replaced. Since many of the town fields have irrigation pipes and drainage pipes buried in the ground, what policy is in place to check before staff digs? Does the town distribute to staff a schematic for the infrastructure of the fields? These mistakes are costly and could be averted.
If anyone went to get information from the building department they would notice a camera on the wall with a monitor in the building inspector’s room. This camera is not government issued and should be removed. If the building inspector cannot see people at his desk then he should have his room moved to the front of the office.
According to town records there are no inspections for the temporary trailers at Simsbury Meadows. How can the town be assured that these trailers on cinder blocks can endure high winds without inspections?
According to town staff the farmer hired to milk the cows by the Friends of the Town Farm Dairy is leaving July 1. I would like to know what contingency plan has been implemented to milk the cows and perform the duties of the farmer. What liability does have the town have when the farmer leaves?
On June 6 the police was called to Simsmore Square due to a sewer backup. According to town staff the sewer pipes are owned by Ensign Bickford and have been compromised for years. The town has refused to take possession of the pipes until they are replaced by Ensign Bickford. How many more eruptions have to be documented before Ensign Bickford upgrades their sewer system?
Steve Mitchell has advertised on his website that he performs weddings at 432 Hopmeadow Street. 432 Hopmeadow Street is zoned R15, residential not commercial. How can Steve Mitchell perform weddings and cater events in a residential zone in violation of Simsbury’s zoning regulations?
Pursuant to my Freedom of Information request, I will be reviewing Captain Sevetz’s personnel file. After 30 years of a checkered past, how can Captain Sevetz remain in a management position in the Simsbury Police Department?
Post edited by: joan coe, at: 2008/06/23 21:43
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