Minutes

Board of Selectmen - Minutes - Feb 23, 2026

Feb 23, 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.

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CALL TO ORDER1
2
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order at 6:00p.m. in the Main3
Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices and on Zoom. Present were: First Selectman4
Wendy Mackstutis; Deputy First Selectman Steve Antonio; Board members Mike Paine, Diana5
Yeisley, Curtis Looney, and Kevin Beal. Others in attendance included: Town Manager, Marc6
Nelson; Deputy Town Manager Tom Fitzgerald; Recreation Director Tom Tyburski; and other7
interested parties.8
9
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE10
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Everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.12
13
PUBLIC HEARING (1:02)14
15
2025 Charter Revisions Commission’s Draft Report16
17
[For the Purpose of Hearing Comments from the Public Relating to the Charter Revision18
Commission’s Draft Report]19
20
• Written comments can be emailed to townmanager@simsbury-ct.gov, not read into the21
record, but forwarded to all Selectmen via email22
23
Ms. Yeisley made a motion, effective February 23, 2026, to open the Public Hearing on the 202524
Charter Revision Commission’s Draft Report. Mr. Beal seconded the motion. All were in favor25
and the motion passed. Ms. Mackstutis noted that she would like to keep the Public Hearing26
open to a future date due to the inclement weather.27
28
John Picoult, 6 Teacher’s Turn, spoke about the Conservation Commission and Inland Wetlands29
and Watercourse Agency being two distinct entities after observing their meetings for the past30
year. He gave five reasons why he feels these should be separate. He said separating the31
Conservation Commission and Inland Wetlands Agency function is a recognized best practice. It32
is an official position of the Connecticut Association of Conservation and Inland Wetlands33
Commission that these two should not be combined.34
35
He said when the Commission and Agency are combined the Conservation component gets36
neglected, as duties of a Wetlands Agency are all consuming. It is reported that 10% of their37
time is spent on Conservation tasks. Without separate entities in place, Conservation becomes an38
after-thought.39
40
Mr. Picoult said the Wetlands Agency has to be staffed with people who understand soil science,41
storm management, erosion control, etc. Those credentials are different than a strong42
conservation commission. When these two entities are merged, the commissioners fall victim to43
a consistency bias for consistency. He said when separate entities they better accommodate44
situations where a proposed development project is legally permissible with wetlands45
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regulations, but undesirable under conservation objectives. He said neighboring towns like46
Canton, Granby, Bloomfield, Torrington, etc. do not streamline government oversight that takes47
efficacy over efficiency. He asked the Board to request that the Charter Revision Commission48
update their recommendation to reflect the separation of these two oversight Commissions.49
50
Jay Sheehan, 20 Saxbrook Drive, noted his professional background and said he sees some best51
practices of how Simsbury can thrive. He also sees some national trends of how other52
communities work with their charter. He feels we can improve by having an odd number on the53
commissions and boards, so ties can be broken. He also said the Board should consider54
transitioning from a Selectmen form of government to a modern council, which would bring55
higher transparency, clarity, and stronger long-term planning. He said according to the56
International City Manager’s Association, this would generate 18% higher resident trust scores.57
58
Mr. Sheehan said he feels there needs to be structural consistencies across the Boards and59
Commissions. He spoke about Section 302(c)(1) where the Board of Finance has 6-year terms,60
which is misaligned with other Boards and Commissions. If we align them, it would bring61
higher volume in participation and improve transparency and reduce administrative burdens.62
He’d rather have 2–4-year terms. He would also like the Charter to clarify and modernize63
Economic Development responsibilities between and Board of Selectmen, Planning and Zoning,64
Economic Development and Town Manager by adding clean language as to who has65
responsibilities for what.66
67
Charmaine Seavy, 18 Quarry Road, and Economic Development Commission Chair, spoke about68
the Commission being red lined as to be taken out of the Charter. She feels they should not be the69
only Commission removed from the Charter. They are not dormant or inactive and had many70
ideas that were rejected by the Board of Selectmen. She said they were not given direction or71
goals from the Board of Selectmen in 2024 or 2025, and they are now being taken out of the72
Charter. If they are taken out, they won’t be cohesive any longer.73
74
Ms. Seavy said the Commission has professional people who are willing to serve as volunteers75
and take opinions from other boards and commissions. They had people from various76
commissions speak to them on how to get economic growth and had planned to speak with local77
businesses to find out how to help them with economic development, which was also turned78
down. She was asking the Board to keep EDC in the Charter as they are a benefit to the Town to79
help continue the grand list growth and help with vacancy rates, etc.80
81
Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive, spoke about Section 401, which she feels needs to be revised.82
She said the Commission seems to be trying to define gender identity by removing Selectman83
from First Selectman but maintaining Board of Selectmen. She said the paid Town Manager is84
the CEO of the Town.85
86
She also spoke about Section 404 as the “First” being the Chief Executive Officer of the Town.87
She feels this section should be eliminated and the compensation should be eliminated as well.88
She spoke about the number of votes the First Selectmen received. She feels section 401 should89
be re-written to show a Town Manager form of government. She also spoke about the number of90
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votes everyone got on the Board of Selectmen and the election process. She wants Simsbury to91
continue with the Town Manager form of government.92
93
Susan Masino, 41 Madison Lane, said she is in support of keeping the Economic Development94
Commission as it is her opinion that you shouldn’t remove anyone from the Charter unless it is95
completely dropped or there is an overwhelming reason and she doesn’t see either in this case.96
She said it is very important to have notices or cancellations of meetings through proper links so97
that people can understand what is going on. She feels there should be an expectation of this in98
the Charter. She also feels that there should be an expectation of meetings being recorded and99
minutes being available to the public.100
101
She noted that in Chapter III there are currently two section a’s, which should be resolved and102
edited. Ms. Masino said in the second section a, she would like it to be deleted or at least103
clarified (starting the Board of Selectmen may delegate the authority to apply for such grants,104
etc.). She would like to make it more specific. She said the ability to delegate grant applications105
from the Board of Selectmen to an administrative situation should only be fore specific and106
limited reasons. Chasing grants could result in spending money unexpectedly. She feels the107
Board should pay attention to all grant applications.108
109
Holly McGrath, 2 Old Barge Road, said she does see the value in the Economic Development110
Commissions and isn’t sure why it is being eliminated.111
112
With no further comments, Ms. Yeisley made a motion, effective February 23, 2026, to continue113
the Public Hearing to March 2, 2026. Mr. Beal seconded the motion. All were in favor and the114
motion passed.115
116
Ms. Mackstutis thanked everyone for their comments on the Conservation Commission. She117
received notice that Mr. Faithful has graciously pulled his nomination. She thanked him for being118
interested in volunteering and said he was a very good candidate. There will be other119
opportunities in the future. She is hoping to move the appointment items to the Consent Agenda120
with Board approval.121
122
PUBLIC AUDIENCE (23:25)123
124
• Email townmanager@simsbury-ct.gov by noon on Monday, February 23, 2026, to125
register to address the Board of Selectmen live through Zoon126
• Written comments cane be emailed to townmanager@simsbury-ct.gov, not read into the127
record, but will be forwarded to all Selectmen via email128
129
Gary Wilcox, 19 Oakwood Road, President of the Simsbury Fire District, spoke about the130
appointment of James Traficante as the Emergency Management Director. He said Mr.131
Traficante came to the Fire Department 10 years ago and has 38 years of military service with132
nine deployments. He is uniquely qualified as he is now the Assistant Emergency Management133
Director. He said Mike Berry is stepping down as of March 1, 2026, and they are delighted to134
have Mr. Traficante in the assistant position where he can move up. He said there is no one else135
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who would have the amount of experience he has. He also has his bachelor”s degree in136
emergency management. They are delighted to have him and look forward to his appointment.137
138
David Bush, 4 Catherine Lane, Chairman of Culture, Parks and Recreation, spoke about the139
Simsbury Golf Course Restaurant contract approval. He said this approval was delayed at the last140
Board of Selectmen meeting but, it really needs to be completed tonight. He said the Town141
charges them with running a profitable and successful golf course and he asked that the Board142
doesn’t tie their hands to do so. He said they should have been notified of any concerns143
immediately so the issues could be resolved quickly. He said a new vendor needs adequate time144
to get set-up and get to know the personnel, etc. He noted that the President of the Simsbury145
Golf League said they have six weeks to their first tournament. He asked that the Board get the146
contract approved so the new vendor can get her business started.147
148
Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive, spoke about the February 18th meeting on the Charter Revision149
Draft Report presentation and the Town Manager’s budget presentation. She said the First150
Selectman said there would not be any public audience as there was a lot of business to attend to.151
She said the First Selectman has no authority to remove public audience from the agenda due to152
a negotiated settlement notice that is attached to the wall in the main meeting room. She has no153
legal authority to ignore the rules of the law. She spoke about the First Selectman’s role on the154
Board.155
156
Ms. Coe said the grand list growth only increased by 0.08% and without any grand list growth in157
the budget, the budget should reflect a zero increase. She spoke about tax benefits with158
abatements totaling in the thousands. She spoke about the International Skating Center’s, a159
viable business, contract with the Town. She feels their contract should be renegotiated to160
increase taxable property. She also spoke about the Volunteer Ambulance Association as she161
thinks it would be better to use AMR as it has no cost to Avon’s taxpayers. She feels the Town162
should not incentivize a failed business plan.163
164
Ms. Coe also spoke about the Town Attorney’s income for services. She doesn’t feel the Town165
should have to pay for services while paying an outside service, when needed, at market rates.166
She also noted there are several properties that owed tax property dues. She also spoke about the167
taxing of horses and said there is no reason to remove the taxation on them. There is an appeals168
process for any grievances or assessments.169
170
Mrs. Mackstutis noted that at the Board meeting on the 18th, the agenda did not identify public171
audience because there is no requirement to have public audience at a special meeting, which172
was dedicated to two specifically detailed presentations.173
174
Susan Masino, 41 Madison Lane, said she saw this meeting on list serve, but when she looked on175
the calendar on the Town’s website, she did not see equivalent information. She feels the Town176
needs to align communication notices. List serve did not state the time of the meeting and177
referred to SCM without defining it. This could be confusing and incomplete as there was also178
no link to the meeting agenda. She said if someone looked at the calendar the information about179
joining zoom wasn’t there either. The front page of the Town website just said the Town was180
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closed today. She feels this is basic stuff that should be figured out to make sure everyone knows181
what is going on.182
183
Ms. Masino said she also sent in a lot of comments to the Board, Town Manager, Charter184
Revision, about the new website and she never received any messages about the Town receiving185
them or even looking at them. She doesn’t know if IT even received the comments. She thinks186
this is disrespect for the Town and good governance. She feels the Town’s excellence is falling187
off the track quickly. She wants all of these basic things corrected.188
189
Ms. Masino also spoke about the horses and pony taxes. She said there are people who are190
willing to pay the taxes but want to cut red tape and time in doing so. Instead the Board decided191
not to charge anyone as it would be unfair as only some would pay. This is a big error on the192
Town.193
194
CONSENT AGENDA (38:06)195
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Mr. Antonio made a motion, effective February 23, 2026, to move action items a) Authorize197
Town Manager to Execute Tax Refund Overpayments; c) Authorize town Manager to Submit198
AARP Community Challenge Flagship Gran Application; and d) Authorize Town Manager to199
Submit North Central Area Agency on Aging Older America Act Title III Grant for the Souper200
Thursday Program; and under Appointments and Resignations item a) Appointments to the201
Conservation Commission – Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Agency to the Consent Agenda.202
After clarification of items under Appointments and Resignations, Ms. Yeisley seconded the203
motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.204
205
Mr. Beal made a motion, effective February 23, 2026, to move item f) Discussion and Possible206
Action on 2025 Charter Revision Commission Draft Report to item e). and. also add Executive207
Session per C.G.S.§ Section 1-200 (6)(e) Discussion of any matter that would result in the208
disclosure of public records or the information contained therein as described in sub-section b of209
section 1-210 documents exempt from disclosure; and move item e) authorize the Town Manager210
to execute the Simsbury Farms Golf Course Restaurant Lease to item f after executive session.211
Ms. Yeisley seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.212
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FIRST SELECTMAN’S REPORT (40:13)214
215
Ms. Mackstutis, First Selectman, reviewed her First Selectman’s report.216
217
TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT (41:32)218
219
Mr. Nelson, Town Manager, reviewed his Town Manager’s report.220
221
LIAISION AND SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS (42:56)222
223
Mr. Paine had no report at this time.224
225
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Ms. Yeisley thanked Mike Berry for his service.226
227
She said there were about 28,000 customers without power in the State from the blizzard, which228
is now down to about 5,000. There was an incident in Simsbury with about 429 customers229
without power in West Simsbury because of a tree that came down. That has been resolved. She230
said we are grateful that the storm wasn’t as bad here. The Southern part of the State was hit231
hard, so those outages could take a few days.232
233
Ms. Mackstutis said the Personnel Sub-Committee will be taking on the challenge of unaffiliated234
voters to get nominated and appointed on committees.235
236
Mr. Antonio had no report at this time.237
238
Mr. Looney had no report at this time.239
240
Mr. Beal congratulated Team USA hockey men and women on winning the Gold at the241
Olympics. He also congratulated Max on his great effort at the Olympics.242
243
SELECTMEN ACTION (44:28)244
245
a) Authorize Town Manager to Execute Tax Refund Overpayments246
247
This item was moved to the Consent Agenda.248
249
b) Approve the Town Manager’s Appointment of the Director of Civil Preparedness250
(Emergency Management Director) (44:38)251
252
Ms. Mackstutis said this item is done per the Charter. The Town Manager makes the253
recommended appointment, and it gets approved by the Board of Selectmen. She thanked Mr.254
Wilcox for presenting his qualifications and answering questions for the Board. She also thanked255
Mike Berry for his service. She noted that this is a non-political position.256
257
After discussion, Ms. Yeisley made a motion, effective February 23, 2026, to appoint Jim258
Traficante as the Emergency Management Director for the Town of Simsbury with the259
designation until the end of the full term with our thanks. This designation shall remain in effect260
until revised, rescinded, or Mr. Traficante separates from service, whichever comes first. Mr.261
Antonio seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.262
263
c) Authorize Town Manager to Submit AARP Community Challenge Flagship Grant264
Application265
266
This item was moved to the Consent Agenda.267
268
d) Authorize Town Manager to Submit North Central Area Agency on Aging Older269
America Act Title III Grant for Souper Thursday Program270
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271
This item was moved to the Consent Agenda.272
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e) Discussion and Possible Action on 2025 Charter Revision Commission’s Draft Report274
(47:30)275
276
Ms. Mackstutis said the Board left the Charter Revision Commission Public Hearing open277
tonight, so there is not much to discuss until all public comments are received. The Board agreed278
to wait until all public comments are received and then go through the checklist they provided to279
the Charter Revision Commission for further discussion.280
281
EXECUTIVE SESSION (48:26)282
283
Ms. Yeisley made a motion, effective February 23, 2026, to move to Executive Session pursuant284
to C.G.S.§ 1-200(6)(e) Discuss a matter that would result in the disclosure of public records or285
the information contained therein as described in sub-section b of section 1-210 documents286
exempt from disclosure, and to include the Board of Selectmen, Town Manager and Director of287
Parks and Recreation. Mr. Beal seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.288
289
Ms. Yeisley made a motion to adjourn from executive session at 7:29 PM. Mr. Beal seconded the290
motion, all were in favor291
292
SELECTMEN ACTION CONTINUED293
294
f) Authorize the Town Manager to Execute the Simsbury Farms Golf Course Restaurant295
Lease (49:17)296
297
Ms. Mackstutis noted that this item was tabled at the last meeting as the Town Manager wanted298
more time to do financial due diligence for the Town. Mr. Nelson said this has now been299
completed. Mr. Antonio has some questions like the 5-year option; section 3a tee times;300
consistency and language in times; and 5a concept of snow removal.301
302
Mr. Tyburski said they always plow up there for emergency access. He said that is also the303
biggest sledding area in Town. They don’t make the plowing a high priority but do plow as soon304
as possible. Ms. Mackstutis said there was a typo in section 3c, third line down (Recreation305
Department of their designee should be or).306
307
There was also some discussion on the cost of rent, utilities, and improvements being made308
there. Ms. Mackstutis noted that the lessee will be making $20,000 in capital improvements. Mr.309
Tyburski noted that any improvements there would become property of the Town. There will be310
more discussion during the budget meeting. There was also discussion on replacing or repairing311
equipment and pest control, which will be scheduled monthly. It was noted that Attorney312
DeCrescenzo did look and approve this agreement as well. There will be more discussion on313
Simsbury Farms at the budget meeting on Saturday.314
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After further discussion, Ms. Mackstutis made a motion, effective February 23, 2026, to316
authorize the Town Manager to execute a lease agreement, as modified and agreed to tonight, for317
the Simsbury Farms Golf Course Restaurant and Farms, LLC. Mr. Looney seconded the motion.318
All were in favor and the motion passed.319
320
APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS321
322
a) Appointments to the Conservation Commission Inland Wetlands and Watercourse323
Agency324
325
This item was moved to the Consent Agenda.326
327
APPROVAL OF MINUTES (1:15:50)328
329
a) February 9, 2026 Special Meeting Minutes330
331
b) February 9, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes332
333
Ms. Yeisley made a motion, effective February 23, 2026, to approve the Special Meeting334
Minutes and the Regular Meeting Minutes of February 9, 2026, as presented. Mr. Antonio335
seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.336
337
COMMUNICATIONS338
339
a) Completed and Pipelined Simsbury Contracted Projects, as of February 12, 2026 – there340
was no discussion at this time.341
342
b) Memorandum from Town Manager, Marc Nelson re: Administrative Approval of343
Public Gathering Permits, dated February 23, 2026 – there was no discussion at this time.344
345
ADJOURN (1:16:09)346
347
Mr. Antonio made a motion to adjourn the Regular meeting at 7:57 p.m. Mr. Beal seconded the348
motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.349
350
Respectfully submitted,351
352
Kathi Radocchio, Clerk353