Minutes

Board of Selectmen - Minutes - Feb 28, 2026

Feb 28, 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
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The Special Meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order at 9:00 a.m. in the Main3
Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. Present were: First Selectman Wendy Mackstutis;4
Deputy First Selectman Steve Antonio; Board members Kevin Beal, Curtis Looney, Diana5
Yeisley, and Mike Paine. Others in attendance included Town Manager Marc Nelson; Deputy6
Town Manager Tom Fitzgerald; Finance Director/Treasurer Amy Meriwether; Budget Director7
Melissa Appleby; Culture, Parks and Recreation Director Tom Tyburski; Town Engineer/Public8
Works Director Tom Roy; Deputy Town Engineer Adam Kessler; Library Director Lisa Miceli;9
Planning Director George McGregor; Assistant Superintendent for School Administration Neil10
Sullivan; Town Clerk Trish Monroe; IT Director Brett Marchand; and other interested parties.11
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE13
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Everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.15
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PUBLIC AUDIENCE (10:57)17
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• Participants can address the Board of Selectmen in person at the meeting19
• Written comments can be emailed to townmanager@simsbury-ct.gov. Written comments20
will not be read into the record, but forwarded to all Selectmen via email21
22
Erin Dotson Kelly said she is a Board Member of the Theatre Guild of Simsbury. She said their23
Board appreciates any consideration of their budget. She said they have a great season this year24
and are glad to provide their productions.25
26
Maryanne O’Neil, 1 West Street, thanked the Town and Board for supporting the Library for 5527
years. The Library is an excellent resource and very well managed. She is asking that the Board28
restore the reference material, both for children and adults. This is a safe place for the kids to go.29
She said they would like the Board to restore $23,107 for their budget, which is 94 cents per30
capita. Their budget would make a big difference for all who use the Library.31
32
Holly McBeth, Chairman of the Library Board of Trustees and a member of the community,33
wanted to advocate for the Library budget. She said the Library is a collective effort to serve all34
of us She said the Library is highly performing and has a very frugal budget. She said they did35
an exhaustive review of all line items and they are not excessive. They rely on partnerships and36
volunteer to provide programming. She said they rely on extensive donations from the Friends of37
the Library. They have already maximized what they can do beyond the Town’s budget to serve38
everyone. If the career center gets cut from full-time to part-time it will be very difficult as39
people rely on that for job-seeking, growth in learning skills, etc. which is critical to them.40
Materials are not extra and if we cut them now how do they get them back. She asked the Board41
to renew their budget and be partners with them as they want to be partners with the Town in42
helping them to thrive.43
44
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Lori Boyko said Simsbury taxes rose 10% in just the fiscal years of 24 and 25 alone. Residents45
who are less able to afford these increases had a greater hike with the revaluation. Today the46
Board is evaluating how to get away with another 2-3% with another revaluation right around the47
corner, which will shift the burden of those least able to afford it again. Town and school taxes48
along with regular other household increases are breaking our backs. She said every year the49
Board tells taxpayers contractual obligations are the budget drivers that increase the taxes.50
Instead of reducing the Town’s workforce, which has grown to unnecessary and unsustainable51
levels. The Tri-Board letter showed that the Town workforce has increased by 20.9 full-time52
employees and Board of Education by 19, which means more mouths to feed for taxpayers. She53
said the only responsible solution would have been cutting positions over the last few years and54
continuing to cut them now. She said the Debt Service has also increased over 18% in a single55
year. She said, “the Board of Ed, the Board of Ed”, but their bank accounts don’t care which56
Simsbury budget it is when they are running out of money. She said if the Town can’t reduce57
Special Ed spending, then we need to reduce other staff and programs. The Board of Ed is58
already not replacing regular education staff in favor of hiring more special ed staff every year.59
She said the Town needs to be seriously decreasing discretionary areas of departments. The60
Library has 29 FTE, many of which are in higher level positions. A half position cut is not61
enough.62
63
Ms. Boyko spoke about the Library and said they pay for 29 FTE’s, many of which are higher64
level positions. She said they run special programs and also pay for outside help to run the65
programs. She said residents pay for kids to attend dance and other special classes. Why don’t66
the parents of those kids pay for them themselves? She said the Library has not discussed or67
voted on their budget yet. She wishes that they advocate for fiscal responsibility for taxpayers as68
much as they push for more dollars for the Library. Ms. Boyko said the Board was elected to69
make responsible decisions that represent the people. She said the Board was elected to make70
responsible decisions that are not fun decisions. They require restraint and maturity. She said71
restraint means not sliding up against the guidance of the Board of Finance but doing better than72
that. They need to do the right thing for the people you represent during these tight times. You73
should not spend one dime that is not absolutely necessary and taxing to create reserves or non-74
lapsing funds that become slush funds for future projects. She said they shouldn’t be giving any75
donations to outside agencies or charities using other people’s money. It means making76
substantial cuts to not just of the requested expenses in this budget, but of expenses in previous77
budgets that need to be trimmed. She said she studied the actual expenditures and could easily78
bring this budget to a zero increase to residents, which would leave no residents suffering from79
lack of services. She feels the Board could do this too if they do the right thing for the people80
they represent.81
82
BUDGET WORKSHOP (22:20)83
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a) First Selectman and Town Manager Remarks85
86
Ms. Mackstutis said she was shocked to see the headlines in the N. Y. Times and hopefully there87
are no servicemen or families hopefully not in the conflict we are engaged in. She said the88
Board is here to represent all of the community and do the best that they can for everyone in this89
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community and support the staff also, who have worked very hard in creating this budget. The90
community will have a lot of chances to speak and ask questions. She said the Board is looking91
forward to doing that. She thanked the Board for their efforts in getting through the budget92
process. She said the Board of Finance gave them guidance on a 3 1/2^% increase limit on the93
expense side as well as the Board of Education. There is a $5,000,000 bond or $10,000,000 limit94
every two years. She said the Town Manager and his team try to meet this guidance. Now this95
budget becomes the Board of Selectmen budget and there will be big topics to discuss.96
97
Mr. Nelson said in this budget cycle they rolled in two new initiatives to the budget process.98
They engaged a Simsbury High School student to help with the budget. They are hoping that99
every year moving forward to have a student in one aspect of the budget process. They are also100
going to be employing a zero-based budget, a hybrid model, one department each year on a101
rotating basis. He hopes to marry those two initiatives together and get the help of a Simsbury102
High School intern to help with this each year. This year they started on the Library. Mr. Nelson103
said he is looking forward to the work today.104
105
b) Outside Agency Requests (26:20)106
107
i. Simsbury Volunteer Ambulance Funding Request for New Ambulance108
109
Ms. Mackstutis started with the Ambulance Association. She said currently the MOU remaining110
in this budget is $160,000, which is part of the operating MOU support. She said they also111
received a request for a new van-style ambulance at $250,000. Included in the budget $60,000112
amount which would be offset by the amount raised in the capital program by SVAA. She said113
unlike the Fire District who is a taxing district and has funds to support their operating needs,114
SVAA relies on paybacks from Medicare, Medicaid, and donations and they are not meeting the115
levels of what is needed. We now need to talk about their funding.116
117
Ms. Mackstutis said given that they are not able to fund it and we have reserves that we can use118
for this. She wanted to know if people were interested in increasing the amount of funding to119
help them out. She asked why the ambulance isn’t in the capital budget? Mr. Nelson said we120
don’t own it, so it isn’t our capital. It is an unrelated organization. He said there are adequate121
reserves if the Board wants to increase the funding. Ms. Yeisley noted that there was $160,000122
that was prior authorized and the new request is for additional $60,000. She would like them to123
update the amount they have fundraised. She wants to propose that we full fund the minus the124
amount they fundraised as it is an asset to the Town and important for public safety. She said the125
Board will be looking at funding them in the future. After some discussion, Mr. Beal said we126
need to move forward with the $196,000/$200,000 from capital reserves, which is separate from127
$160,000 already approved. After further discussion on possibly owning the ambulance or128
possibly leasing it, mor discussion will be needed.129
130
The Board then went through the other asks: Farmington River Watershed – consistent ask-131
agreed to do.132
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Greater Hartford Transit – agreed to do. Hartford Interval House – the Board would like to134
decrease the amount to $2500– it wasn’t funded last year but is a service to our community.135
There was consensus not to fund Modern Vintage or the Theatre Guild or Gifts of Love. They136
agreed to level fund Simsbury Community Media;137
138
Central EMS has a slight increase do that is ok. There was a lot of discussion on VNA, which is139
now regional. There was discussion as the Trust would increase their funding in order to match140
the Town’s funding. There is a lot more information needed before the Board reaches a final141
decision. They will leave Meals-on-Wheels, Amplify didn’t ask for anything.142
143
There was discussion on Chamber funding as well. It is Granby/Simsbury Chamber, but Granby144
doesn’t fund them at all. This should be an equal partnership. While the Board supports the145
great work they do, we pay $900 for a membership and don’t want to fund anything over that.146
The Board would rather focus on the people of Simsbury. Ms. Mackstutis said the Chamber is147
specifically asking for money for the Spooktacular event. After further discussion, there was a148
consensus that the Town would fund $5,000 for the Spooktacular event and if that event doesn’t149
happen the Town would keep the money.150
151
There was some discussion that all requests need to fill out the application and not just send a152
letter.153
154
There was a lot of discussion on Main Street Partnership. This is the end of a 3-year MOU, and155
they have done everything the Town has asked them to do. Ms. Neilsen’s presentation was156
compelling as she feels the Town does have an MOU with them.157
158
Mr. Nelson said the Library budget is a redistribution of existing staff not a decrease in their159
budget. This is not for a new resource for his office but using existing staff. Main Street is160
totally different, and he would still want to redeploy staff to meet the mission he was tasked with161
on economic development. Mr. Antonio feels we have floundered economic development to a162
catastrophic level. Some Board members feels Main Street should be funded at $50,0000 and163
not $85,000.164
165
There was discussion on what the difference is between a MOU and contract. Mr. Nelson said166
we would not be breaching the MOU as they would be able to continue to make decisions on167
different issues versus a good faith agreement.168
169
Ms. Mackstutis said she would like Main Street to assist EDC, the Chamber, Zoning, etc. for170
economic development. The goals all need to a line. Mr. Beal said he is not sure how much171
faster we could get economic development here. After more discussion, there was no consensus172
or vote on this now.173
174
There was a recess at 10:45.175
176
Ms. Mackstutis said there will be discussion on merging CNR and CIP, but they will listen to Mr.177
Sullivan on the Board of Ed budget first.178
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179
i. Board of Education Review (with Neil Sullivan, Assistant Superintendent for180
Administration)181
182
Ms. Mackstutis wanted to discuss the FY26/27 $2,200,000 track and field request that would be183
bonded, which takes up about half of the bonding capacity. She said there have been a lot of184
questions on whether a RFP has been done and if they have done due diligence on funding and185
the need for the track.186
187
Mr. Sullivan said there was discussion on splitting the cost with the turf being done this year and188
the track being pushed out. He said it would be hard as there would not be a guarantee on the189
cost of the project. He said they phased out the project the last time they had to do it and it was190
not a good idea as it was efficient. They have to lay out the track and let it cure before putting191
down the turf, so it is much more strategic to do the project all at once. He said the last time192
went out for RFP and they were not happy with the product for the turf. They had discussed this193
with other towns and found out that field turf is a much better product now and is a much better194
solution. This will be a State contract now.195
196
Mr. Sullivan said there was some question about using grass instead of turf. They don’t’ feel this197
is a good solution as you can’t use the fields when there is a lot of snow on the grass, plus there198
is more maintenance for the grass. Therefore, they do feel the field turf solution is the199
appropriate one. He said they did get the full life out of the product they used before. It is now200
time to do it again. They will use it for one more spring and one more fall. The project will start201
on Memorial Day weekend and it will be completed in time for football season. He said202
Westminster and Ethel Walker said we could use their fields after Memorial Day. Mr. Sullivan203
said the contractor is sticking to his price as long as we get a positive vote in May and then they204
would lock into that price. He will look into getting an extended warranty.205
206
After discussion, the Board would like the Board of Ed to look at the possibility of reselling the207
old turf. Mr. Tyburski said his department can only do so much maintenance there. They have to208
contract out for most of it.209
210
He said they do have an agreement with the Board of Ed to maintain the athletic fields.211
212
There was also some discussion on the flooring at the schools. Ms. Appleby said the districts put213
them at a higher priority rather than the roofs, etc. They are recurring out like network214
infrastructure. The floors are divided by each school each year. They are a new recurring215
maintenance item. The process is sound in terms of allocation.216
217
Ms. Mackstutis noted that the Board of Ed has heating plans, boilers and pumps for $2,000,000218
for next year at Squadron and district security improvements and district paving that will need to219
be discussed as well.220
221
222
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c. Capital Improvement Plan224
225
Mr. Nelson said for about 20 years ago now there was a category in the budget called CNR or226
Capital Non-recurring. Often times there were recurring items in CNR, so it became a little227
blurry. In his budget message CNR is funded by Capital Reserves with a 5-year payback. He228
said on the Town’s side it was about $416,000 annually and the Board of Ed was a little bit229
higher. Over a couple of years this request was always denied. He said in this budget they230
received some guidance from the Board of Finance that if they wanted to increase this again they231
would need to do so by October. The real problem is that you can’t fund CNR with $400,000 as232
it is not sustainable. It’s really supported by Capital Reserves. It is based on the surplus from the233
year before. He said we need to find a way to continue to pay for as much capital as we can234
using cash as you then lower debt service costs. He said you marry these two things by weaning235
off of capital reserves from a surplus you don’t have every year. He said the Town needs to236
tighten the budget and needs not increase the mill rate. They are therefore, requesting a change in237
the process and trying to make the budget more predictive of the actual outcome. That is the best238
way of budgeting. ‘239
240
Ms. Meriwether said right now we have a CNR fund, a CIP fund, and the General Fund. CNR241
was always for small capital items up to $250,000. All project expenditures were housed in that242
fund. Funding sources were from the general fund or transfers from capital reserves. Now that243
they are getting rid of CNR, any smaller project or non-recurring project are just going into the244
general fund. They are no longer going into the CNR fund. They will be funded via tax dollars245
or through mill rate increases.246
247
She said the other way is through the capital reserves. CIP will hold some of the projects that are248
of a construction nature and operating should hold the projects that should be completed after249
one year. If not completed in one year they would have to go back and ask for a continuation of250
that project and then go through year-end transfers, etc. However, they will have to be closed out251
after that one year. She explained how the fund becomes offset and at the end the project252
basically pays itself off, so we don’t owe ourselves anything.253
254
Ms. Mackstutis said the operating transfers done in the past are now in operating using taxpayer255
dollars, so they don’t need transfers anymore. Mr. Nelson noted that this is a gradual process.256
Mr. Nelson showed a slide of other comparable community’s tax increases. He said the biggest257
single driver to the increase in the mill rate percentage could be debt service or a failure to adjust258
for the way we have been budgeting.259
260
There was a lot of discussion on this new form of funding, so everyone understands how it261
works.262
263
Ms. Mackstutis said she had asked for CIP ranking. There was discussion on the Apple Barn and264
how important she feels that project is. There was also some discussion on if the Apple Barn is265
necessary if the Golf Course is upgraded. Some Board members feel the Apple Barn could be266
moved to the FY28 budget. There will be more discussion on this.267
268
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There was also discussion on what priority there was for the paths and neighborhood trails.269
There was discussion on how much disrepair there is on those. There was some reporting the270
Board is waiting for.271
272
There was also some discussion on the irrigation at various fields and parks and the MOU with273
Simsbury Soccer.274
275
Mr. Roy said the cold storage building is for the sand pit and equipment. It would probably be a276
fabric roof structure, so the sand doesn’t go flying around. There will be electricity but no heat277
and it would be secured.278
279
There are ongoing sidewalk projects to get them to ADA compliance and meet federal280
guidelines.281
282
Mr. Nelson noted that there are a lot of needs to the Town and Board of Ed. He said his team283
wanted to come under or as close to the guidelines of the Board of Finance. They have clarified284
that the $5,000,000 limit is continuing for the foreseeable future and this plan is trying to keep us285
in those guardrails. They need to understand the costs of projects and their delays and need to286
tighten the capital plan moving forward. All of this will be revisited.287
288
There was a lunch break from 12:03 to 12:34.289
290
ii. Municipal Review with Applicable Department Heads291
292
Ms. Mackstutis wanted to discuss non-funded or either bonded or from reserves or unfunded for293
the current year that the Board feels are critical. Mr. Nelson said this year they seem to have a294
good plan, but they are struggling in the out years remaining under the Board of Finance295
guidance. There are a number of capital items for the out years that some would like to have in296
their plans. Ms. Mackstutis wants to hear about the current year and what we aren’t doing but297
should be doing. We should look at some of the items we are funding and possibly juggling298
money around or making changes, so we need to hear them.299
300
Mr. Roy said there is an old CNR item that was not funded for the crew leaders who have F350301
dual-wheeled pick-up trucks. They are a critical part of the operations and are on a 7-year302
replacement cycle. These are frontline and emergency vehicles. They are used to push the snow303
so an ambulance can get through or tree branches when emergency vehicles need to get through.304
He said if they don’t replace them this year, it just builds up future pressure for future years.305
306
Mr. Nelson said trucks were not included this year, but if the Board wants to put them in, they307
would probably be done through capital reserves. If they go into operating, they will increase the308
mill rate. After some discussion on how to fund the new way, this issue will be discussed during309
the operating budget discussion.310
311
The cost would be $63,000 net, including the trade-in.312
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Mr. Roy said they also pushed aside the replacement of a big plow truck. Their new street314
sweeper has been put off for about 3 years. This could cause a problem in the out years. He is315
now keeping plow trucks for 14-15 years instead of 10.316
317
Mr. Tyburski said he doesn’t have anything he wants to add to CNR or CIP at this time.318
However, he did want to discuss two maintainers when they get to operating.319
320
Chief Boulter said all the critical things they are looking for were put into the operating budget.321
They will be looking for a new facility and want to make sure it doesn’t get put into an outyear.322
Mr. Nelson wanted to note that if something didn’t make it into the capital plan there is a323
provision in the Charter, with a super majority, it can be added.324
325
Mr. McGregor from Planning said they don’t have anything at this time.326
327
Ms. Formanek said social services needs a new community center, new space for a senior center328
and social services and the food pantry. Mr. Nelson said there are some studies on the329
community center that they will share with the Board. It would also be discussed to have the330
community center at the Apple Barn. They would have to get the actual square footage at the331
Apple Barn for discussion.332
333
Ms. Brado from the Library said reference materials were in the operating budget but there are334
no CIP projects at this time as they are reducing everywhere they can during this lean budget335
year. Mr. Beal asked about the teen space, and she said they would like to enclose the teen space336
in the future for a quiet space for them. Mr. Roy said year one would be for design and year two337
would be construction. Mr. Beal thinks needs could be unified under a larger umbrella in a338
project. The Board needs to pull out other plans that have been developed sly and do a needs339
analysis to figure out what an appropriate use of dollars would be instead of doing them all340
piecemeal.341
342
Ms. Mackstutis said the last thing in capital is looking out at fiscal year 2028 as currently there is343
a lot of unfunded out there. We do have the $5,000,000 in bonding but there’s still projects not344
funded. Actually, there are $6,000,000 unfunded so approving it is going to cause a discussion on345
what we really need.346
347
d) Department Budgets348
349
Ms. Munroe, Town Clerk, said there are no new positions. She said dog licenses hit a plateau.350
Ms. Yeisley asked about an increase in State and Federal grants. She said they budgeted for351
$7500, but the estimate is $16,899. Ms. Munroe said typically they get historic preservation352
grants from the State. Ms. Meriwether said they had anticipated funding from the State for353
elections that they didn’t budget for. Ms. Mackstutis asked about the increase on conveyance354
tax. Ms. Munroe said conveyance tax goes along with recording fees. All documents that go on355
to our land records require a recording fee. Not all recordings require a conveyance tax. Mr.356
Antonio asked about contractual services. He said they were $700 for fiscal year 25, but now357
they are $7,000, even though they are only at $700 now. Do they renew shortly? Ms. Munroe358
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said there is only one definite thing for online coding that is contracted every year. She said other359
things really vary like microfilm storage or land records auditing services, etc. Mr. Antonio said360
copy and printing went up to $5,400, but the estimated cost is $3,000 and he doesn’t really361
understand that either. Ms. Munroe said this increase is due to the fact that they have to publish362
the changes to the code, so they don’t know how much they are going to spend each year. She is363
trying to prepare for when the legislation goes through the Town.364
365
Mr. Marchand, from IT, said there is one big item for $34,000 which is to implement office 365,366
which was brought to the Board last year as well and this year it will be fully funded and367
including the Police Department. Ms. Mackstutis had a question on the charge for services for368
the Board of Ed dropped $84,000. Mr. Nelson said this is part of the overall restructuring plan369
with the Board of Education to right-size all of it.370
371
Ms. Mackstutis said she didn’t see an objective on IT about ensuring the data on our website is372
up-to-date and accessible to Boards and residents, and commissions and that is huge thing they373
are hearing from residents and that the Board has been talking about. He will add that to his374
goals and objectives. Mr. Beal said he would put that on Mr. Nelson and his staff to enforce. He375
said information assurance is on Mr. .376
377
Ms. Prato, from the Library, said they did zero based funding this year. They looked very closely378
at all of their budget lines, but specifically at programs. She said they do a lot with what they379
have and they saved $56,000 in terms of in-kind services. They are using more volunteers and380
partnering with other departments as well. They provide a high level of service on a very lean381
budget. She said the Library is open 64 hours a week and the majority of their budget is staffing.382
They did make cuts to materials and programming. They also have cost savings of the shared383
position. Mr. Nelson explained the zero form of budgeting again and there was more384
information on that.385
386
Mr. Nelson introduced Bhadra Aneesh, the Simsbury High School intern, and said it was a387
challenge going to visit programs and talked to some users to get a sense of what is going on.388
She has also compiled data and participated in conversations about some things discussed today.389
390
Ms. Aneesh said her goal in visiting the Library was to visit different programs as well as the391
look at the depths of the programs. She said there was a lot of different varieties of programs and392
formats, some of which were lecture based. She also visited environmental ones, conversational393
ones and hands on ones. She said they were all very accessible to a variety of audiences as well.394
She said the Spanish conversation group was the number one group that really flipper her395
mindset on the Library. She said she had a really great conversation with some of the people in396
there and she included some of the quotes. She said the Library is a one-stop place where397
everyone can come together and have a shared interest. She felt everyone was welcomed there.398
She listed her observations including a diverse set of programming; adaptive and seeking399
feedback; being well attended; and well organized. She also acknowledged those who helped her400
and clarified details for her. After some questions and discussion with her, she said she was very401
grateful for this experience.402
403
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Mr. Antonio asked why the equipment maintenance line went up by 23%. Ms. Prato said part is404
automatic book sorter and the other is the repairs needed to the upstairs book return machine.405
She said the $9000 for the copiers is because they lease the copiers and they require maintenance406
and that is the cost of the contract. Mr. Antonio also asked about the phone maintenance for407
$5,000 a year. Mr. Nelson said they would have to check on that. He also asked about $3350 for408
book glue. Ms. Bardo said they try to repair instead of replace the books in the children’s409
department and that includes all the stuff to do that. Mr. Antonio also asked about $2300 for410
RFID tags. Ms. Prato said they put RFID tags in every new book so people can use the self-411
checkout machine. Mr. Antonio also asked about the $44,000 in children’s reference materials.412
She said these are specific things that people are asking for like books, DVD’s, audio books,413
boxed books, etc.414
415
Ms. Mackstutis had a question about the management services and databases for $27,500. Ms.416
Prato said it is for things like Consumer Reports and Ancestry, etc. for people to use.417
418
Mr. Fitzgerald said the phone question is for the phone tree which is all the extensions at the419
Library, phone lines and equipment.420
421
Ms. Formanek said there aren’t any significant changes overall to Social Services. She said the422
biggest change was regards to VNA, which they have already been over. Discussed at the trust423
fund budget meeting yesterday was that the trustees continue to be in support of the food pantry424
position. She said the biggest question now continues to be the Dial-a-Ride budget. That is still425
out for request for proposal, which will be closing in a few weeks. She said the trust did give426
them some support for the upcoming year for the enhanced Dial-a-Ride program for the medical427
transportation.428
429
Ms. Mackstutis asked about the full-time salary increase. Mr. Fitzgerald said this was a market430
corrected position in the GovHR study. This was done during salary negotiations. Mr. Antonio431
asked why senior transportation went up $17,500. Ms. Formanek said this is a placeholder until432
the RFP comes in. Mr. Nelson noted that if the Board wanted more information they would have433
to go into executive session as it is under negotiations at this time. The trust will also be putting434
in more money for this item.435
436
Ms. Mackstutis said she saw some programs that could be coordinated with Aging and437
Disabilities. There was some discussion on the charge of the Boards and Commissions to do438
things, and we give them funding to do them. Ms. Formanek noted Super Thursday, which is run439
by Aging and Disability Commission and a few staff from Social Services help that staff out.440
441
Mr. McGregor, Planning, was asked why office supplies have doubled. Mr. McGregor said most442
of it is for broken chairs and desks. There was also a question about the increase in insurance.443
Mr. McGregor said they are at the end of the comprehensive zoning process and they would like444
to incorporate the regulations into e-code as well. It would be a one-time cost.445
446
Mr. Antonio also asked about the increase in subscriptions. Mr. McGregor said there are three447
staff members who will be pursuing the professional development certifications, which includes448
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test costs, dues and subscriptions. This is also a one-time thing. Ms. Mackstutis asked about449
blight remediation and Mr. McGregor said this is contractual service fees for special plan450
reviews. Mr. Nelson noted that we need to have a spending line in case the Town needs to go in451
and cleanup a property. Ms. Yeisley asked about ADA accessibility goals. Mr. McGregor said452
they did site visits and have followed up with letters to the property owners. These will be453
ongoing conversations.454
455
Mr. Gomes, HR, said they are in year one of a five-year development plan for their department.456
The first six months was trying to get through union contracts. Now they are setting up the pillars457
that they need to build efficiencies and start building the components to do so. He said they also458
need to keep up with a level of service and level of compliance. They are also responsible to look459
up strategies and helping the organization grow. He said they are a small staff who have had a460
very successful year.461
462
Mr. Looney wanted to know what computer software went up 150%. Mr. Gomes said it is463
contractual increases. They have now brought on performance management as their next464
initiative. They have also brought on background checks with checkology. They had also brought465
on anchored for new hires and any sexual issues with employees. It also allows Parks and466
Recreation to keep up with any certifications needed. It also handles electronic files.467
468
Ms. Mackstutis asked about the special events line. Mr. Gomes said they now have an employee469
engagement committee, which is very important to understand the experience that staff is having,470
which helps really create engagement between management and staff. To do this, you need to471
hold events so people can get recognized for their commitment to Town. Mr. Gomes said they472
also have the consultant SAGE which they hired after the active OSHA experience. They473
provide training to employees around some of the OSHA requirements, etc. He said they also use474
Industrial Hearing for any hearing issues of staff. There was also some discussion of $12,500475
educational reimbursement from the Town Manager. We need to help the employees out to476
maintain their education.477
478
Chief Boulter said this budget provides them with wants to keep their personnel levels stable and479
allows them to continue their current programs and activities. It also supports their training and480
technology needs for next year.481
482
Mr. Antonio asked about the contractual services under North Central Team contributions, a 5-483
8% increase and increased drug testing services. It is a 17% increase. Chief Boulter said the484
increase in regional services is a partnership with eight other communities. It involves accident485
reconstruction, a drone team, etc. They all contribute to that. This year we did have to purchase486
new equipment for accident reconstruction technology. There was also an increase in behavioral487
and drug testing for recertification requirements.488
489
Mr. Antonio also asked about the roadside cameras. Chief Boulter said they did a two-year490
evaluation that he thinks has been highly successful. He would like two more and then they will491
see where it goes from there. Chief Boulter said they are purchasing 17 vests this year, and they492
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are applying for a grant for up to 50% reimbursement. There was also some discussion on the493
adding of redaction software for the videos they have to look at to cut down on Police time.494
495
Ms. Mackstutis asked about Animal Control, which has an open position now. She asked why496
there is an increase in the salary. Mr. Nelson said it is in there as a possible recruitment offer but497
it would be less if the Board thinks this would be appropriate.498
499
Mr. Roy, Public Works, said his budget is keeping their current programs running. Ms. Yeisley500
had a question under administration contractual services for the one-tine MS4 funding. Mr. Roy501
said in addition to the annual MS4 reporting that is required they have to submit a new502
programmatic report that is required by the State. When they do the reports, they cover all503
departments.504
505
Mr. Antonio asked about salt going up 25%. Mr. Roy said they had reduced it last year. Because506
of the storms this year, the price may go up. Mr. Roy said this number is at but not exceeding507
anything we anticipate.508
509
Ms. Mackstutis asked about overtime and Mr. Roy said there have been contractual changes and510
they used to offer two weeks off as comp time but that has been eliminated now.511
512
Mr. Antonio asked about electricity at the Library. Mr. Roy said they looked at actual usage and513
that is the change.514
515
Mr. Looney asked about the increase in roadside vegetation at $90,000. Mr. Roy said they will516
have to contract out some of the services for mowing now. It is also keeping up with some of the517
tree work as well.518
519
Mr. Antonio also asked about the increase in diesel fuel. Mr. Roy said they locked in a great rate520
last year but have yet to do so now. It is basically our rate x our usage. Mr. Roy said water521
increase comes from Aquarion.522
523
Mr. Antonio also asked about the box trailer and automated vacuum. Mr. Roy said the trailer is524
much needed and the vacuum will pay for itself within two years. Mr. Antonio also asked a525
question about the clothing and safety supplies increase. Mr. Roy said this is for the new uniform526
contract.527
528
Mr. Tyburski, Parks and Recreation, said they went back several years and looked at each line529
item under expenses. They made everything as lean as possible.530
531
Mr. Antonio asked about overtime being up 10%. Mr. Tyburski said they will be contractual and532
could be up more. Mr. Antonio said equipment rentals were chewed up. Mr. Tyburski said they533
have to rent lifts for some tree work and light bulb changing. He will have to get back to the534
Board on if there was any one thing. There were portlets in there as well, which have tripled in535
price. There was also some discussion on the price of water and some splitting of costs at the536
Little League fields. There was also a little discussion on switching to wells.537
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538
Mr. Looney noted that we are spending a lot of money maintaining pickle and paddle ball courts.539
Mr. Tyburski talked about the wood frame for the caging. Mr. Tyburski also spoke about the540
decking underneath the playing surface, which is a specialty surface.541
542
There was also some discussion on the Simsbury Farms revenues. He noted that Simsbury High543
School is no longer a tenant at Simsbury Farms. He is hoping to attract other schools there.544
545
There was also a little discussion about the future of the pool at Simsbury Farms.546
547
f) Discussion548
549
Ms. Mackstutis conducted a survey of how the Board would like to proceed as they still have550
other subjects like the Town Manager’s general budget; Boards and Commissions budget;551
Probate budget; Funds, etc.; Benefits; and to finish the Department budgets to discuss. It was552
decided that they would move forward at Monday night’s meeting.553
554
Mr. Antonio made a motion, effective February 28, 2026, to adjourn at 3:02 p.m. Mr. Beal555
seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.556
557
ADJOURN558
559
Respectfully submitted,560
561
Kathi Radocchio562
Clerk563