First Selectman's Reports

07-13-2026 Simsbury First Selectman Report

Jul 13, 2026

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 June-July 2026
Quick Intro
Since I did not send out my First Selectman’s Report after our June meeting, I’m going to provide as many
updates as I can from the last month, which will be sent out after our meeting on July 13th (last night – and it
was a long one!). Hope everyone is enjoying our warm summer.
Nod Road Solar Update (June)
A second evidentiary hearing was held on June 9th, in which the CT Siting Council followed up on the Town’s
request for visuals of the solar field, that we had asked for back in 2025.
They presented a picture taken from a window at the top of the tower. We asked for a more complete view
from the actual state park, but the CT Siting Council agreed with Lodestar that they had fulfilled the request.
Also, Lodestar paid the outstanding $340K in property taxes on the owner's behalf. The decision now rests
solely with the CT Siting Council.
All information and correspondences can be found here:
https://www.simsbury-ct.gov/1638/140-Nod-Road-Solar-Project
https://portal.ct.gov/csc/3_petitions/petition-nos-1601-1700/pe1698
Charter Referendum Question (June)
At our June 8th meeting, we voted unanimously to include the recommended referendum wording presented
to us from the Town Attorney. There will explanatory documentation to go along with the referendum, so
everyone understands where the charter has changed.
There are some areas that were strengthened but items like term length, staggered terms, renaming the Board
of Selectmen and First Selectmen, were not recommended.
The wording will be as follows:
Shall the Charter of the Township of the Town of Simsbury be amended, as proposed by the Simsbury
Charter Revision Commission, to take effect on December 7, 2026, as approved by the Simsbury Board
of Selectmen? YES NO
Stoddard Dam Removal Information
As many of you came to speak at tonight's Public Audience, I wanted to share the town web page that includes
information about the project to breach the dam. The town held discussions with the Fish and Game club
leaders about the future and provided time to find another location for their club to engage in the sport they
love.
From our Department of Public Works: We have a web page dedicated to the project on our Engineering
Department “Projects” page, and a link is below. We have been open and transparent with residents and
members of the Fish and Game club. Unfortunately, there has been misinformation and a belief that the dam
can remain “as-is” – this is simply not true. The last Dam Inspection Report from 2023 rated the dams’ overall
condition as “Poor,” with the primary issues being shifting and bulging stones in the dam face and water
seepage.
We are currently budgeting $1.2M for the removal of the Dam – this is a conservative budgetary estimate that
assumes we will need to remove and dispose of contaminated sediment. We believe this will not be required
based on soil testing and that we are likely to receive at least partial grant funding for this work. The repair
options would cost considerably more, in the range of $3.4M.
https://www.simsbury-ct.gov/1628/Stoddard-Reservoir-Dam-Removal
Annual Pride Flag Raising and Picnic at the Library (June)
The flag-raising at Town Hall was a big success this year, as we invited everyone in attendance to help crank the
flag up the flagpole. We are now able to keep the US flag and the State flag up, in addition to the Pride flag.
The event was held on the same night as the Simsbury Public Library Pride picnic, which was a really nice way
to kick off Pride Month in June. Live music, a picnic dinner, and activities all made it a successful event. Thank
you to all the planners and volunteers. Sister Funk – an all-girl band – provided a couple of sets of fun music.
Hometown Heroes Ceremony (June)
We honored the 2026 Hometown Heroes with a ceremony on the front lawn of Town Hall on June 8th at
5:00PM, prior to our last meeting. Each Selectman wrote an introduction to their hero and presented them
with a certificate and blue/gold flowers, along with a photo op!
Their names will be engraved on a plaque inside Town Hall to honor their lasting legacy to our community.
Michael T Long with me, BOF Chair Lisa Heavner, and Police Commissioner Jenna Caulfield
Dave Ryan and Selectman Mike Paine
Christine Poler Fleming and Deputy First Selectman Steven Antonio
Simsbury Lions Club and Selectman Kevin Beal
Simsbury Loan Locker and Selectman Diana Yeisley
Garance Herve-Mignucci and Selectman Curtis Looney
Simsbury Performing Arts Center Opens (July)
The long-anticipated Next Act received its Certificate of Occupancy on June 30th and opened its summer
season with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra on July 3rd, featuring the annual Celebrate America concert.
For those of us who were there, celebrating July 4th and the 250th anniversary of our country, there was an
emotional, unifying moment when we all stood to sing along with the Hartford Chorale in God Bless America. I
honestly got tears in my eyes and heard that many in the crowd felt the same. This was followed by a fantastic
fireworks display to kick off the summer of 2026.
Simsbury 250th Parade and Celebration (July)
July 11th was the date of our town-wide 250th day parade and it was a beautiful day to celebrate on
Hopmeadow Street. The Board of Selectmen had our very own float, and we even won Best Float. Yes, there
were only 4, but I think ours was pretty good! Steven Antonio provided the cow that normally sits on his
property, so to go along with that, we created a sign to stick with that theme!
Juneteenth Celebration (June)
The Town of Simsbury’s DEI Commission put on a great event celebrating Juneteenth on June 20th, at the
Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center. We partnered with multiple towns in the Farmington Valley and
had a variety of music and activities. I presented a proclamation and I am sharing it here. Simsbury Community
Media recorded the event, so you can find it on their website. Thank you to all who sponsored this event and
worked to make it happen – including a finale of a fireworks display. Thanks to the SMPAC, DEI Commission,
June Archer, Jay Sloves and more. Special thank-you to Franklyn Barrueco from the Town Manager’s Office for
all of his help with this event and for being there to enjoy the celebration.
Board of Selectmen Annual Bike Ride (May!)
Here’s the group shot from our bike ride this past May, as we recognized bike month.
It rained, so there was a delay, and a retreat from some of the riders, but it was still a fun event, with ice cream
for all!
What’s new with Mabel?
On May 22nd, we had our first experience as foster dog parents, thanks to Outrider Dogs, a local foster-based
rescue run by Simsbury dog-devoted residents. Coors joined us for a month, and we loved having him. We
THINK Mabel did, too.
He is now living a nice life in New Jersey with a loving family and a big ‘sister’ to play with.
(that’s the June 8th agenda in his mouth!)
Our next meeting will be on August 10th.
Please give me a call or send me an email if you have something on your mind. I’m also happy to meet during
office hours. I have a flexible schedule.
Cell - 860-543-3770
Email - wmackstutis@simsbury-ct.gov
Wendy