First Selectman's Reports
January 27, 2025
Jan 27, 2025
A public record published by the Town of Simsbury (simsbury-ct.gov). mySimsbury indexes it and makes it readable; it is not the official copy. View the original file.
First Selectman’s Report January 27, 2025 Simsbury MLK Day Celebrafion 2025 The Annual Simsbury MLK Day event was held on Monday, January 20th, 2025 at First Church of Christ in Simsbury. Before I introduced Ken Green, I briefly spoke about celebrafing Dr. King’s message of freedom, unity, service, and equity, against the recent push to roll back inifiafives aligned with his message. I have faith that we want something befter for our community and our country. The musical selecfions were spirited, with a highlight being the young singers from the Faith Seventh-Day Advenfist Church Children of Faith pictured here: The MLK Memorial Commiftee from SHS also came to discuss and present their Encouraging Words Program, which was the theme for the event: Charter Revision Commission - How to provide feedback Please visit the webpage with informafion on the Charter Revision Commission. This is your chance to weigh in on your local government and share your thoughts. All meefings will have a public audience component. hftps://www.simsbury-ct.gov/charter-revision-commission The charter can be found here at this link: hftps://ecode360.com/26887608#26887608 Budget Schedule 2025/2026 Our Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Budget Cycle is underway. Town Manager Marc Nelson is currently working with each department to finalize the operafing budget and will present that at our next meefing, on 2-10-2025. Tonight’s meefing will be an open discussion on the CIP (Capital Improvement Plan) and CNR (Capital Non-Recurring). 2 Farms Village Public Hearing There will be a hearing on 2-18-2025 to hear from the public on the purchase of the property at 2 Farms Village Road, with the intenfion of using it for Special Educafion services. The BOE fully supports the project plan for this property and has presented it to both the BOS and BOF. The BOS has approved the purchase agreement, with condifions, and has sent it to the BOF for the hearing. Please aftend and share your views, after reviewing the plans for the property. Informafion on the project can be found at this link: hftps://www.simsbury-ct.gov/2farmsvillage Town Managers Performance Review Process The Board of Selectmen will be starfing our review process for Town Manager Marc Nelson, who joined the Town of Simsbury in January 2024. Tonight’s meefing, and those to follow, will be held in Execufive Session, as we are discussing personnel issues, but will ulfimately be shared with the public upon complefion. We are hoping to complete this process in March, given the budget is also going on at this fime. Annual Presentafions Tonight, the BOS will hear from the Simsbury Volunteer Ambulance Associafion, the Simsbury Main Street Partnership and the Farmington Valley Health District – all who do an annual presentafion to the Board. PowerPoint presentafions by each will be available in our packet. Both the SVAA and SMSP have MOU’s with the town that require an annual report to the board. The agenda can be found at this link: hftps://www.simsbury- ct.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif9751/f/agendas/01-27- 2025_town_of_simsbury_board_of_selectmen_regular_meefing_packet_0.pdf Keep Simsbury Warm Program Residents in need of heafing assistance can get more informafion, find out how to qualify and take advantage of this program, by reaching out to our Social Services department. This link has informafion on this program, and others, on page 10. hftps://www.simsbury- ct.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif9751/f/news/jan-feb_2025_newslefter_final.pdf Community and Municipal Meefings On Wednesday, I’ll be aftending the COST Town Meefing at the Aqua Turf where our Governor, Lt. Governor, Comptroller and others from the State Legislafion will speak to our Council of Small Towns. It’s a great place to hear from other municipalifies on what they are doing in their communifies and to get ideas. On Friday, I’ll be aftending CIRMA’s Annual Meefing at the Marrioft in Harfford. Again, another opportunity to represent Simsbury and meet with Chief Elected Officials and CEO’s. On January 15th I was invited to aftend the Greater Harfford Foundafion for Public Giving as part of the Simsbury confingency where they kicked off the Greater Together Community Funds for 2025. They are upping the amount that will be going to each of the communifies this year. We have a local group of volunteers on the Simsbury Commiftee who work with our non-profits to allocate these grants. Office Hours by Appointment Feel free to reach out to me for office hours via my cell or town email. 860-543-3770 / wmackstufis@simsbury-ct.gov Thanks, Wendy