Minutes
Board of Selectmen - Minutes - Mar 2, 2026
Mar 2, 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.
T O W N O F S I M S B U R Y – B O A R D O F S E L E C T M E N S P E C I A L M E E T I N G M I N U T E S – M A R C H 2 , 2 0 2 6 P a g e | 1 CALL TO ORDER1 2 The Special Meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order at 5:01 p.m. in the Main3 Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. Present were: First Selectman Wendy4 Mackstutis; Deputy First Selectman Steve Antonio; Board members Mike Paine, Diana Yeisley,5 Curtis Looney and Kevin Beal. Others in attendance included: Town Manager Marc Nelson;6 Deputy Town Manager Tom Fitzgerald; Finance Director/Treasurer Amy Meriwether; Budget7 Director Melissa Appleby; Public Works Director/Town Engineer Tom Roy; Director Culture,8 Parks and Recreation Tom Tyburski; Police Chief Nicholas Boulter; and other interested parties.9 10 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE11 12 Everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.13 14 PUBLIC HEARING (Continued from February 23, 2026) (1:00)15 16 2025 CHARTER REVISION COMMISION’S DRAFT REPORT17 18 [For the Purpose of Hearing Comments from the Public Relating to the Charter Revision19 Committee’s Draft Report]20 21 • Written comments can be emailed to townmanager@simsbury-ct.gov, not read into the22 record, but forwarded to all Selectmen via email23 24 Ms. Mackstutis noted that is a continuation of the Public Hearing on the Charter Draft Report25 from February 23, 2026.26 27 Diane Nash, 5 Merrywood, congratulated the Board of Selectmen and Charter Revision28 Commission on doing a wonderful job on the Charter revisions. She said she attended or listened29 to all of the Charter Revision Commission meetings. She wants everyone to listen to their30 discussions and hear how they arrived at their votes. She said people might not agree with what31 they did, but they did hear from the public.32 33 She said they did explain the roles of the Board of Selectmen and Town management, but she34 still doesn’t think the titles reflect what the public understands. She said the Town Manager is the35 Chief Administrative Officer and the First Selectman and the Board is the Governing Officer.36 She thinks throwing in the title of Chief Executive is confusing. She urged the Board to keep the37 title in Mr. Nelson’s contract but not change the title in the Charter to reflect the change.38 39 Lori Boyko, 15 Oakhurst Road, said she has had some discussions on who has the authority to40 create new Boards, Commissions, Committees, and Sub-Committees and the appointment of41 those members. She said it reads in the Charter like it is an exclusive purview of the Board of42 Selectmen and there is some discrepancy about that. There needs to be more clarity about that.43 44 T O W N O F S I M S B U R Y – B O A R D O F S E L E C T M E N S P E C I A L M E E T I N G M I N U T E S – M A R C H 2 , 2 0 2 6 P a g e | 2 She feels the EDC should be moved out of the Charter, but not to get rid of them, but put them45 under discretion of the Board of Selectmen and move them into an ordinance so the Board of46 Selectmen can choose whether to have them or not as needed.47 Ms. Boyko said there are so many meetings that people can’t attend all of them as they run48 simultaneously. She feels it is essential to have full recordings and transcripts of all meetings in49 full detail as the context of what people say matters.50 51 Ellen Gilbert, 126 Hopmeadow Street, said she also attended most of the Charter Revision52 Commission meetings and had the opportunity to speak at them. She feels it would be beneficial53 to put out sandwich boards 3-5 days before a Public Hearing at Town Hall, in front of the Fire54 Department, West Simsbury and Bushy Hill so people can see which Commission is meeting,55 where the meeting is, and when the meeting is. She said sandwich boards are not that expensive56 and thinks it would greatly benefit the Town.57 58 After no further comments or discussion, Ms. Mackstutis noted that when the Public Hearing is59 closed the 15-day window starts to have more discussions and make decisions on the revisions60 and then possibly send it back to the Charter Revision Commission for more possible changes.61 62 Mr. Antonio made a motion, effective March 2, 2026, to close the Public Hearing on the 202563 Charter Revision Commission’s Draft Report. Ms. Yeisley seconded the motion. After some64 discussion on further discussions on the Charter at the March 9th meeting and tentative meeting65 on March 11th, all were in favor of closing the Public Hearing and the motion passed.66 67 PUBLIC AUDIENCE (11:27)68 69 • Participants may address the Board of Selectmen in person at the Special Meeting70 • Written comments can be emailed to townmanager@simsbury-ct.gov, not read into the record,71 bur forwarded to all Selectmen via email72 73 Ms. Mackstutis noted that there is a lot to discuss on the budget tonight, and she doesn’t feel that74 there will be enough time to discuss the Charter after that, so she is looking forward to discussing75 the Charter at the March 9th and 11th meetings.76 77 Ms. Nielsen, Executive Director of Simsbury Main Street Partnership, said she is confused and78 disheartened as it has been referenced that the Town is giving them money. She’d like to clarify79 this money is fee for service. They have written grants of over $800,000 which are national80 grants, and State and local grants. They include commercial tax revenue. They have kept81 existing businesses in Simsbury, grown businesses, which adds to the commercial tax base,82 which needs to be larger. She said they helped renovate Andy’s Plaza and the Riverview and83 helped with many other businesses.84 85 She said their MOU was codifying what they have been doing. It is really a fee for service, and86 they had to accomplish certain things in the MOU. Every Board of Selectmen has approved Main87 Street funding for the last 30 years. They always have detailed work plans and give updates to88 the Board every year. She said she came before the Board in January and outlined what they are89 T O W N O F S I M S B U R Y – B O A R D O F S E L E C T M E N S P E C I A L M E E T I N G M I N U T E S – M A R C H 2 , 2 0 2 6 P a g e | 3 doing and the new projects they had and got positive feedback. Now she is hearing that maybe90 someone wasn’t happy and that wasn’t communicated with her. She said there has been talk91 about recusal of a selectmen member, which she doesn’t know about.92 93 Ms. Nielsen said there has been talk about them getting tons of volunteers and they do get94 volunteers and that’s what makes Main Street so successful. She said Main Street does a lot with95 very limited resources and limited budget for property and business owners.96 97 She said she knows that legally the Board can change the MOU but doesn’t feel that that would98 be in good faith. She said she understands if difference between renegotiating and that is fine, but99 this wasn’t a renegotiation. She said they have not had any negative criticism or feedback so this100 is very confusing. She said there was no discussion about the $85,000 given last year. She said101 they have tons of letters from business and property owners who say they wouldn’t be in102 business if it wasn’t’ for Main Street. Ms. Nielsen then quoted from an email she had sent to the103 Board “from the time of our initial investment in this key town center property in 2016 until104 today no other organization has provided such professional and highly valued assistance to us.”105 That is part of a very small email. She also read a letter that she received. She asked that the106 Board fully fund Main Street as it is the right thing to do.107 108 Diane Nash, 5 Merrywood, said she and Ms. Masino had purchased sandwich boards last year109 and she would donate them to the Board to post notices around Town. It is what the citizens of110 the Town want. She feels if Economic Development is not in the Charter, the Board should fund111 Main Street. She said we need real people that live, work and know the Town and that they can112 attract new people to our Town.113 114 Ms. Nash said Mr. Nelson is a great Town Manager, but he is not the same as Main Street or the115 Board or the public. They are two valuable commodities, and the Town needs the best of both.116 The Board should not discount the people in this Town. She also spoke about having issues with117 the new website. She said we shouldn’t need a special program to learn how to use the website.118 She said to find out what you want to accomplish and what words mean to people. Get119 suggestions and do something about the issues.120 121 Lori Boyko, 15 Oakhurst Road, said there is a difference in outside agency requests, and many122 are charitable donations and not fees for service. She said many charitable causes are very123 worthy, but they should not be funded by taxpayers. She doesn’t think the Board should not124 make decisions on where taxpayers want to put their dollars. She said if we are getting125 something specific from these organizations and paying for that it is a different story.126 127 Ms. Boyko said she does think we should have a Deputy Director/Head of Department at the128 Library as back-up management and plan of succession, which is something we don’t have. She129 said she likes the idea of the business library being ½ time at the Library and ½ time at Town130 Hall as it would be a natural fit. She also feels the Town needs an economic development plan131 with in-house staff members directed by the Town Manager would be good so economic132 development can move towards the future and interface with the plan.133 134 T O W N O F S I M S B U R Y – B O A R D O F S E L E C T M E N S P E C I A L M E E T I N G M I N U T E S – M A R C H 2 , 2 0 2 6 P a g e | 4 Ms. Boyko said the Town has been a custom to Main Street being here, but year after year the135 minutes indicated that they were always supposed to be self-funded and to make their way off of136 the Town’s payroll. She feels there is a conflict as funding duties to their board and duties to the137 Town don’t always coalesce. She feels the economic development plan needs to come from the138 Board to the Town Manager and then staff. A lot of what Main Street does for the Town is Sarah139 Nielsen who has done an incredible job, but if she leaves, we don’t have a backup plan for that140 either.141 142 She feels we need to think about getting our arms around an in-house economic development143 plan. Taxes have been cut for the horses and the grand list is not growing. We can’t just keep144 adding while not taking something out.145 146 SELECTMEN ACTION (28.07)147 148 a) Review, discuss and adopt FY27 Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Plan149 (CIP)150 151 Ms. Mackstutis asked that the Board go through the sections of the budget that they didn’t get to152 go through on Saturday. She would then like to look at things that need to be revisited like153 revenues, then look at finalizing capital, and then see where they are. She said the Board needs154 to look at the Town Manager’s general budget, Board of Selectmen; Boards and Commissions;155 Finance; Probate, Elections; Benefits and Insurance: Operating Transfers and Funds.156 157 There were some questions and discussions on Human Resources and special events under the158 Town Manager’s budget as it was larger this year. Ms. Appleby said this would be for the Public159 Safety Committee items. Mr. Nelson said this was to help build HR and add capacity for events160 for Town’s workplace safety as previously discussed. They had hired a consultant and received161 an award from CERMA for their efforts. He noted that the return on this investment is162 significant. It is an organizational increase of $1700 total.163 164 There was also discussion on the GWI, union positions and merit increases contingencies, and165 transfers (page 92). There was also discussion furniture, phone service, labor relations/paralegal,166 anticipated legal fees, fees and subscriptions, the shared position in the Town Manager’s office,167 etc. Some of these items are being right sized, but they can be addressed further or have a168 discussion on reducing some items. Mr. Beal was interested in reducing legal fees to $120,000169 and taking the $5,000 increase away from them.170 171 There was some discussion on the Town Manager’s new office position. Mr. Nelson said this is172 a reallocation of a part-time person, not a new position. They would be splitting the current full-173 time Business Development Coordinator from the Library and deploying half of their time to174 help the Town Manager’s office for economic development to help build an internal capacity175 within the building to do some important work on the economic development front, etc. This176 position would be a zero cost to taxpayers. The employee would receive a step increase.177 178 T O W N O F S I M S B U R Y – B O A R D O F S E L E C T M E N S P E C I A L M E E T I N G M I N U T E S – M A R C H 2 , 2 0 2 6 P a g e | 5 Mr. Nelson explained how this position presented itself during the budget process and feels this179 would be part of the economic development the Board is looking for. They are trying to come up180 with a new job description at this time. It is an administrative position that fits within the union181 and does work there. The position would be working with the Board, Economic Development182 and Main Street Partnership. Mr. Nelson said he needs this extra resource to drive this183 development forward. The Board is looking for a specific plan and job description.184 185 After further comments, Mr. Antonio would like to table this discussion so it can be brought up186 with Personnel and the Union to create a job description, and if appropriate, to put out a RFP for187 this job description and not do this because we found cost savings within the organization.188 189 Mr. Nelson said the economic development mission is his responsibility and this Board made190 comments in his review that they are not happy with this mission. However, he can not create191 good economic development without funding for it. The employee would be working with EDC,192 Main Street and the Chamber.193 194 Mr. Beal said he is familiar with the concept, but the process seems to be a challenge with this195 Board as there has not been any discussion on the capacities. They would need anticipated goals196 for this role. He would like to get thoughts and guidance from Personnel on how to utilize this197 role. It would be a challenge for him if we don’t give Mr. Nelson the resource for economic198 development knowing that they just told us we don’t have enough work for the business resource199 Library person and yet kept that role there while funding it. This would send a message of how200 we value the staff, especially when we have alternatives in front of us and a chance for us to get201 resources through them. He is willing to consider this position.202 203 Ms. Miceli said they are not saying they don’t have enough work for this person at the Library,204 but they were asked to find some efficiencies and there will be some things that will be given up205 in services to the community.206 207 After further discussion, Ms. Mackstutis said the Board could go with the concept and keep this208 position full-time at the Library. She said Mr. Nelson needs to bring a plan as to how the209 resources will work together with a job description and proof of how his office can’t do the210 administrative work without these resources and a plan of how the relationship will work with211 Main Street and EDC, etc.212 213 Mr. Nelson said he would like to know if the Board support this concept so they can continue to214 work on the job description, etc. and not waste their time doing so. He spoke about making the215 grand list better and taking incremental steps to right-size some issues by restructuring,216 reorganizing, and possibly cutting, while efficiency seeking.217 218 Finance:219 220 Ms. Meriwether gave a handout to the Board. She said this is legal history from labor relations221 from fy19 to present. She said even without negotiations, we are running high on this account222 compared to the budget over the years. Even if we don’t have negotiations, we have223 T O W N O F S I M S B U R Y – B O A R D O F S E L E C T M E N S P E C I A L M E E T I N G M I N U T E S – M A R C H 2 , 2 0 2 6 P a g e | 6 terminations, personnel issues, regulation issues, grievances, arbitrations, etc. that we use an224 attorney for. The $55,000 is still low.225 226 There were some questions about going out to RFP for a new bank. Ms. Meriwether said it is227 time to do it now and she has a list of banks to send RFPs to. There was also some discussion on228 the Clerk fees and the Tax Department where part-time was moved to a full-time position. Ms.229 Meriwether gave the Board a paper on this subject. Clerk fees have increased due to length of230 meeting times. Tax Department had part-time staff went to full-time floater position. They are231 asking to increase the part-time person’s hours from 29 hours to 35 hours a week as there is a232 history of motor vehicle and housing apartments staffing has decreased.233 234 Ms. Meriwether said the Tax Collector works about 6 – 10 hours outside of her normal week to235 complete tasks that only she can do. There are not enough available hours for the Tax Collector236 to work on her delinquencies and the cost classification study. Ms. Meriwether then explained237 the rest of her budget. There was a decrease as ClearGov was not approved. Ms. Meriwether238 noted that the Town is going ok with getting paid back what is owed on motor vehicles. Ms.239 Appleby noted under the Assessor, to add back to the contingency the percentage increase would240 be 3.8% not 6%.241 242 Board of Selectmen – Public Health Agencies/ Boards and Commissions (pg32)243 244 Mr. Nelson said after speaking to Attorney Bob DeCrescenzo, the Town could purchase SVAA245 and then lease it back to them. He would craft a capital lease that would allow for a payback246 over a 5-year term. The risk on the Town’s side is the amount of liability insurance that SVAA247 could have to carry on that. If anyone on the Board has questions on that, he encouraged them to248 call Attorney DeCrescenzo.249 250 There was more discussion on the Main Street Partnership MOU funding of $85,000. Ms.251 Mackstutis wants to make sure that they will be working with Economic Development and the252 Town Manager’s office and that they all reach out to each other to make Mr. Nelson’s plan work.253 254 After discussion, Mr. Antonio made a motion, effective March 2, 2026, to fully fund Main Street255 Partnership at $85,000 as requested, for the remaining and final year of the MOU in existence,256 subject to our financial review. Ms. Mackstutis seconded the motion.257 258 After more discussion, Mr. Beal made a motion to table the previous motion. Ms. Yeisley259 seconded the motion. Mr. Beal, Ms. Mackstutis, Ms. Yeisley and Mr. Paine were in favor. Mr.260 Looney was against and Mr. Antonio abstained. Therefore, the motion passed.261 262 There was some discussion on the Chamber and if they should receive the $5,000 requested. Mr.263 Antonio noted that the Town should be given space at the Spooktacular and be listed as a264 presenting sponsor there.265 266 Ms. Yeisley said that there should be a process for funding moving forward.267 268 T O W N O F S I M S B U R Y – B O A R D O F S E L E C T M E N S P E C I A L M E E T I N G M I N U T E S – M A R C H 2 , 2 0 2 6 P a g e | 7 Ms. Yeisley made a motion to recess at 7:19pm. Mr. Looney seconded the motion. All were in269 favor and the motion passed.270 271 The Board resumed at 7:31pm.272 273 Ms. Appleby noted that the big increase in Land Use advertising is because we are required to274 post notices in the Hartford Courant. They used to do “zoned rates”, but they no longer do that275 and they are posted statewide. In 2026 they are going up half of the full rate and in 2027 they are276 going up 75% of the full rate. However, we are on a grandfathered rate at this time.277 278 There was also some discussion on Aging and Disability asks and the relocation of the Probate279 Court. Mr. Nelson noted that Avon has responded about available and they will be meeting with280 them to discuss it further.281 282 The Board asked if we can use reserves of $20,000 for the Probate Court item.283 284 Benefits, Insurance, Transfers and Funds (page 89)285 286 There was some discussion on the Police and Town increases in pensions. There was also some287 discussion on Open Benefits (OPEB). Ms. Meriwether said these figures are calculated by288 Milliman every year. Ms. Meriwether said that the OPEB is new this year – a Board of Finance289 initiative. They are actually going to use the trust fund. This will be an annually required290 contribution for the OPEB fund so it will remain at 100% funding level.291 292 Mr. Paine had a question on the general liability – workman’s compensation that is going up293 $7,000. Ms. Appleby noted that the decrease in workman’s compensation was over several294 years. She said they don’t get the premiums until late spring, so they do a 3% projection. You295 may not see anything changing for about 5 years.296 297 Ms. Mackstutis asked about the $20,000 in-kind payment for the Restaurant at the Farms and298 how that will show up. Ms. Meriwether said it doesn’t show here as it doesn’t affect the bottom299 line.300 301 Ms. Mackstutis also had a question on the transfer of $14,500 from Julia Darling. Ms. Appleby302 said the Board is discussing a request from VNA of $7,000 up to $13,000 and the Meals-on-303 Wheels for $7,500.304 305 There was also some discussion on the Simsbury Housing Authority revenue. Mr. Nelson said306 the agreement was made in 1973 and really needs to be looked into again. His team is going to307 be checking on this agreement and how much we should be supporting the Housing Authority,308 and they should have a proposal for the Board during the summer.309 310 Ms. Yeisley asked about the Southwell Trust transfer $14,430 from the general fund and Ms.311 Meriwether said it was for the food pantry lease and Wednesday lunch program.312 313 T O W N O F S I M S B U R Y – B O A R D O F S E L E C T M E N S P E C I A L M E E T I N G M I N U T E S – M A R C H 2 , 2 0 2 6 P a g e | 8 Police314 315 Ms. Caulfield said in the initial budget there was an ask for a dispatcher so they could go from 7316 to 8, which would be a multi-faceted role based on the workload. This would also help keep the317 patrol officers on the road a little more as they wouldn’t have to come back in to relieve a318 dispatcher for meals, breaks, etc.319 320 Chief Boulter said there is 1 dispatcher on the midnight shift, which is adequate. The day shifts321 are 7-3 and 3-11 and there are 1-2 dispatchers depending on the schedule. He said they had322 reached the point where 1 dispatcher could be a challenge. There are 11 crossing guards calling323 in the am and then in the pm as well, along with all other people calling for directions, etc. and324 about an average of 3 medical calls a day, usually about the same time. He said some of the calls325 could take several minutes each, while they are gathering vital information and giving326 instructions, while getting other calls. Having another dispatcher would help significantly.327 328 Mr. Nelson said this is a union request to add this position to help reduce stress, tension and329 overload. The request was very compelling. He also noted that there are 5 vacant positions in the330 Police Department. There was also some discussion on overtime, and morale, and productivity.331 Mr. Nelson said if the Board will fund it for ½ a year they would make up for the cliff. Chief332 Boulter said the position is full time with a salary of $71,000 plus benefits. This needs to be333 discussed further.334 335 Revenues336 337 Mr. Nelson said staff has been struggling about a $500,000 decrease in projected investment338 income. They are also struggling with a 14% increase to health care costs. He said those two339 things are about $800,000. The Police vacancy protects the position while not taxing the340 taxpayers of about $375,000 and the unwinding of CNR goes with another $415,250. Therefore,341 there were 2 crises and 2 solutions. He said they were trying to figure out what else could be342 done on the revenue side and they said the investment income of $500,000 could be changed to343 $475,000 or $480,000 and it could still remain within the range of what the analysis is.344 345 There was also some discussion on the department’s revenues, the increase in building fees and346 the Fire District. They discussed the ECS funding and the Government’s push to fund ECS.347 348 Capital349 350 Ms. Mackstutis said she made the Apple Barn a priority as she feels it could be used as a revenue351 generating area, but it is not in the current year’s budget. Mr. Antonio said he feels the Apple352 Barn could be used for alternative purposes in the future, and it could probably be pushed out to353 2028 until we have a path. There was some discussion on the timeline of the Apple Barn project.354 There would be about 4 months of design work with a 6-9 month renovation.355 356 There was also some discussion on the bonding of neighborhood paths of $380,000 in the current357 year. There are some options of a gravel path and just doing enough to keep the trails safe. Mr.358 T O W N O F S I M S B U R Y – B O A R D O F S E L E C T M E N S P E C I A L M E E T I N G M I N U T E S – M A R C H 2 , 2 0 2 6 P a g e | 9 Fitzgerald said next year begins another bonding period. There was discussion on what could be359 bonded now and what could be bonded later.360 361 There was also some discussion on security and fire alarms upgrades. Ms. Appleby said this362 project has been bumped out 3 times now. There was discussion on how to use up the capacity363 the Board has. Mr. Nelson said we should use capital to do the fire alarms now.364 365 After further budget discussion, Mr. Antonio made a motion, effective March 2, 2026, to approve366 $200,000 for SVAA capital project out of reserves with the condition to work on owning it and a367 lease arrangement that minimizes the Town’s risk, subject to the Town Attorney’s approval.368 Further move, to authorize the Town Manager to make arrangements that protect the Town’s369 assets. Ms. Yeisley seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.370 371 Ms. Yeisley made a motion, to take a recess. Ms. Mackstutis seconded the motion. All were in372 favor and the motion passed.373 374 There was more discussion on outside services and legal fees. Ms. Meriwether said Interval375 House was decreased $2500; Theatre Guild was decreased $3500; Gifts of Love was decreased376 $6,000; Modern Vintage Opera down $3500; Amplify down $1761; and the Chamber was377 decreased $2500. Also, on the VNA contribution, which was increased $6000, but it is offset378 from Belden Trust, so it would be a net zero. Main Street is a place holder now, but there were379 convincing comments on keeping them at $85,000. She said general legal was decreased by380 $39,000, and there was the increase to labor she hopefully convinced the Board to leave alone.381 The Probate Court will be decreased $20,000, which will be offset with capital reserves, and382 investment income would be increased $20,000. Also, SVAA would be increased from $60,000383 to $140,000 to fund the ambulance and offset with capital reserves.384 385 Ms. Mackstutis made a motion to bring the Main Street item back to the table. Ms. Yeisley386 seconded the motion.387 388 Mr. Beal said he is happy to vote tonight, but there should be a review of their financials in an389 appropriate executive session. He would like to request an agenda item at a future meeting390 where the Board can discuss finances for Simsbury Main Street Partnership. The previous391 motion was to increase Main Street Partnership to get to the $85,000 ($50,000 added) with the392 condition that Mr. Beal made to get information and put on an agenda to get financial393 information. All were in favor and the motion passed.394 395 Ms. Yeisley made a motion to take a 5-minute recess. Ms. Mackstutis seconded the motion. All396 were in favor and the motion n passed.397 398 Ms. Meriwether said before all the changes the tax increase was 2.18%. With all the changes in399 expenses the increase was $117,000. The increase to revenues is $168,000. Therefore, with all400 changes the increase in taxes is 2.15%. She said the mill rate went down with an increase in401 expenditures, which is offset by revenues.402 403 T O W N O F S I M S B U R Y – B O A R D O F S E L E C T M E N S P E C I A L M E E T I N G M I N U T E S – M A R C H 2 , 2 0 2 6 P a g e | 10 After some discussion, Mr. Beal made a motion, effective March 2, 2026, to approve the Board404 of Selectmen 2026 – 2027 Operating Budget in the amount of $30,628,420, to include the405 following changes from the Town Manager’s Proposed Budget:406 407 ($15,500) – Decrease BOS – Community Services Public Agency Support408 $4,239 - Increase Social Services Public Agency Support409 $47,500 – Increase Economic Development Public Agency Support410 ($39,000) – Decrease Legal Services Legal Fees411 ($20,000) – Decrease Regional Probate Court Public Agency Support412 $140,000 – Increase Emergency Management Public Agency Support – SVAA413 $ 20,000 – Increase Investment Income414 $140,000 – Increase Operating Transfers – Capital Reserves Fund415 $6,000 – Increase to Operating Transfers – Belden and Southwell Trust416 417 Mr. Paine seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.418 419 Mr. Looney made a motion, effective March 2, 2026, to approve the Water Pollution Control420 2026-2027 Operating Budget in the amount of $5,914,158 (including Avon and Granby CWF421 share). Mr. Antonio seconded them motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.422 423 Mr. Looney made a motion, effective March 2, 2026, to approve the Residential Property 2026-424 2027 Operating Budget in the amount of $425,450. Mr. Antonio seconded the motion. All were425 in favor and the motion passed.426 427 Mr. Looney made a motion, effective March 2, 2026, to approve the Simsbury Parks and428 Recreation Fund 2026-2027 Operating Budget in the amount of $3,032,788. Mr. Antonio429 seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.430 431 Mr. Looney made a motion, effective March 2, 2026, to approve the Debt Service 2026-2027432 Operating Budget in the amount of $$9,064,275. Ms. Yeisley seconded the motion. All were in433 favor and the motion passed.434 435 Mr. Antonio made a motion, effective March 2, 2026, to add the following new projects to the436 Capital Improvement Plan for 2026-2027 in accordance with the Charter Section 803(b):437 438 Greenway Improvements $150,000439 Irrigation Replacement – Various Parks & Fields $150,000440 Simsbury Farms Golf Course - Clubhouse Reno and Expansion $ 40,000441 Historic Building Restoration $171,000442 Rental Buildings Exterior Repairs $341,600443 Wheeled Excavator $235,000444 Air Ventilation System (Highway Garage) – Supplemental $ 38,000445 Cold Storage Building $ 95,000446 Intersection and Roadway Safety Improvements $125,000447 Drainage Improvements $150,000448 T O W N O F S I M S B U R Y – B O A R D O F S E L E C T M E N S P E C I A L M E E T I N G M I N U T E S – M A R C H 2 , 2 0 2 6 P a g e | 11 Aeration System Energy Improvements $ 75,000449 Influent Pump $275,000450 On-Site Waste Recovery System $575,000451 452 Ms. Yeisley seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.453 454 Ms. Yeisley made a motion, effective March 2, 2026, to approve the Capital Improvement455 Program to include the following projects in 2026-2027, with a total funding of $9,541,925 for456 2026-2027:457 458 Recommended Funding459 460 SHS Turf & Track Resurfacing $2,200,000461 Bonds462 District Flooring Improvements $ 250,000463 Bonds464 District Network Infrastructure $ 350,000465 Bonds466 Greenway Improvements $ 150,000467 Cash468 Irrigation Replacement – Various Fields & Parks $ 150,000469 Cash470 Simsbury Farms Golf Course – Clubhouse Reno & Expansion $ 40,000471 Cash472 Simsbury Farms Swimming Pool – Plaster Replacement $ 170,000473 Cash474 Maintenance of Neighborhood Paths & Connecting Trails $ 380,000475 Bonds476 Roof Repairs (Town Hall, Eno Hall, & Library) $ 825,000477 Bonds478 Historic Building Restoration $ 171,000479 Cash480 Highway Street Sweeper $ 345,000481 Grants/Cash482 Sidewalk Reconstruction $ 251,325483 Cash484 Highway Pavement Management $1,800,000485 Bonds/Grants486 Rental Buildings Exterior Repairs $ 341,600487 Cash488 Security & Fire Alarm Upgrades $ 550,000489 Bonds490 Wheeler Excavator $ 235,000491 Grants492 T O W N O F S I M S B U R Y – B O A R D O F S E L E C T M E N S P E C I A L M E E T I N G M I N U T E S – M A R C H 2 , 2 0 2 6 P a g e | 12 Air Ventilation System (Highway Garage) – Supplemental $ 38,000493 Grants494 Cold Storage Building $ 95,000495 Cash496 Intersection & Roadway Safety Improvements $ 125,000497 Cash498 Drainage Improvements $ 150,000499 Cash500 Aeration System Energy Improvements $ 75,000501 Sewer Use502 Influent Pump $ 275,000503 Sewer Use504 On-site Waste Recovery System $ 575,000505 Sewer Use506 507 Mr. Looney seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.508 509 Mr. Paine made a motion, effective March 2, 2026, to refer the following capital projects to the510 Planning Commission in accordance with CGS Section §8-24:511 512 SHS Turf & Track Resurfacing513 District Flooring Improvements514 District Network Infrastructure515 Greenway Improvements516 Irrigation Replacement – Various Fields & Parks517 Simsbury Farms Golf Course – Clubhouse Reno & Expansion518 Simsbury Farms Swimming Pool – Plaster Replacement519 Maintenance of Neighborhood Paths & Connecting Trails520 Ms. Yeisley seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.521 522 b) Discuss and Possible Action on the 2025 Charter Revision Commission’s Draft Report523 524 There was no action at this time.525 526 ADJOURN527 528 Mr. Antonio made a motion to adjourn the Special Meeting of the Board of Selectmen at 9:50529 p.m. Mr. Looney seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.530 531 Respectfully submitted,532 533 Kathi Radocchio534 Clerk535