Joan Coe
User
Platinum Board Member
| Posts: 149 |   |
|
BOARD OF SELECTMEN - PUBLIC AUDIENCE -July 14, 2008 - 2008/07/14 21:54
Board of Selectmen – July 14. 2008
I would like to bring to your attention reasons why Simsbury residents should demand a Town Manager form of government. As a result of my FOI request for Captain Sevetz’s personnel file I have reviewed Sevetz’s file and received copies of several written reprimands. Over a 30 year period of Captain Sevetz’s tenure in the Simsbury Police Department, there has been benign neglect in dealing with Sevetz‘s checkered past. A professional manager would not have allowed Sevetz’s continual pattern of poor performance to continue within the department. After a lengthy investigation into allegations of misconduct leading to a reprimand another reprimand was issued on January 30, 2008. Captain Peter Sevetz received a Written Reprimand from Chief Ingvertsen addressing the development of a Communications Manual. It states, “In November 2005 you were instructed by me (Ingvertsen) to develop a Communications Manual for use by the Dispatch Unit. In August 2007, I instructed you to produce a timeline for this project for the period August 6, 2007 to January 1, 2008. This is not been done and the project is long overdue. During the Command Staff meeting on January 24, 2008, you were asked, again, the status of this very important project. You were unable to show any progress on this manual or produce a reasonable timeline for its completion. As of this date, January 30, 2008, I have not received any communication from you regarding this assignment. Continued poor performance will leave me no alternative but to take further disciplinary action, beyond the written reprimand, relating to your failure to meet deadlines and complete assignments.” What disciplinary action comes after reprimands, another reprimand or termination? How can a 30 year veteran of the police department in a management position ignore an order from the Chief of Police without being terminated? Is it once again time for the police officers to vote No Confidence in Captain Sevetz? Would a Town Manager, as the Chief Executive Officer, terminate Captain Sevetz? When is enough enough?
I noticed that the Police Commission minutes are not posted on the internet. Since they are a public agency, why have they been exempt from posting their meetings and their minutes on the internet?
Recently there have been several articles highlighting enforcement of speeding on neighborhood roads. It appears that many of the speed limits assigned to roads are inconsistent with some roads having 3 different speed limits in close proximity. Is a 25 mile speed limit appropriate for neighborhood roads? I would like to have the Public Safety Committee study the speed limits in town and come up with a consistent plan for road safety.
We the taxpayers of Simsbury are paying the highest taxes in the Valley. The surrounding towns have rejected their budgets and yet Simsbury voters approved the budget 2 to 1. With the economy failing and property values plummeting, it is time for someone to come forward to organize a taxpayers group that will be able to disseminate information on budgetary issues facing our town.
According to town records, Gerard Toner, Director of Parks and Recreation, is once again in debt. The Simsbury Farms Special Revenue Fund has a deficit of $28,778. Mr. Toner has time and again promised to eliminate deficit spending and instead the taxpayers bail him out year after year and Toner has not eliminated any staff. Does the recreation department need two program directors? Where is the budget for maintenance? Buildings are deteriorating and trees are creating hazards which reflect poor management.
I would like to bring to your attention several pictures I took at the Simsbury Parks and town hall that requires immediate attention.
Picture 1 shows a tree at Town Forest Pond in a precarious situation. This is the area where children play near the pond where children swim. There is a need for tree management.
Picture 2 shows a vent at the Simsbury Police Department Dispatch area that is dirty with mold and dirt. There has been a continual concern about mold in the police department and this picture shows lack of maintenance. A building in town Forest Park shows years of neglect and disrepair.
Picture 3 shows Memorial Field swim house needing maintenance and the roof has a hole, allowing water to enter the building.
Picture 4 shows the Skateboard Park at Memorial Field with rules that state all skateboarders must ware helmet and protective pads. The sign has been vandalized and should be replaced. There is a boy in the picture skateboarding alone without any pads or helmet without any supervision placing him in extreme danger.
Picture 5 shows a bathroom at Town Forest Park with boarded windows and screens ripped. The door needs maintenance as does the building.
Picture 6 shows the pavilion at Town Forest Part in disrepair with holes in the roof and building.
Where is the outcry from this board on the failure of town staff to maintain our buildings and check all trees that are placing the community in danger?
These pictures have highlighted the need for professional management with a long term plan for maintenance of trees and buildings on town property.
One of the agenda items is a wage increase for the First Selectman. All the towns shown on the memo for wage equality have town managers except Simsbury. Professional management should earn more than an elected official that could change every two years. It is time this board convenes a charter revision commission to bring Simsbury in line with the surrounding towns.
|
Specter (1116)