Minutes

Board of Selectmen - Minutes - Apr 9, 2026

Apr 9, 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 – A p r i l 9 , 2 0 2 6
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CALL TO ORDER1
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The Special Meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order at 8:30 a.m. in the Main3
Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. Present were: First Selectman Wendy4
Mackstutis; Deputy First Selectman Steven Antonio; Board members Curtis Looney (via Zoom),5
Diana Yeisley (via Zoom), Mike Paine and Kevin Beal. Others in attendance included: Town6
Manager Marc Nelson; Deputy Town Manager Tom Fitzgerald; Planning & Community7
Development Director George McGregor and Town Attorney Bob DeCrescenzo (via Zoom).8
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE10
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Everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.12
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SELECTMEN ACTION14
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a) Pursuant to Town Code Chapter 85-6.1 Referral from Conservation Commission for Board16
of Selectmen Approval of Fee Proposal for Third Party Technical Review of a Complex17
Project18
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Ms. Mackstutis asked Mr. McGregor to give a background on this item and why it is before the20
board. Mr. McGregor briefly discussed the process outline in Town Code and stated that the21
applicant has no issues with the presented fee.22
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Mr. Beal made a motion effective April 9, 2026, Pursuant to Section 85-6.1 of the Simsbury Town24
Code of Ordinances, to adopt the recommendation of the Inland Wetlands & Watercourse Agency25
to engage a consulting firm, Clough, Harbor & Associates, LLP (CHA), to perform an independent26
third party peer review of Application CC 26-02, 200 Hopmeadow Street, of SL Simsbury, LLC.27
The review shall substantially conform to the “Proposal for Services” dated March 31, 2026, and28
not exceed $17,475. The BOS further directs the Town Manager, to execute a contract to this effect.29
Ms. Mackstutis seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion passed.30
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b) Discussion on Nod Road Solar Siting Council Application32
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Ms. Mackstutis discussed the background of the potential Solar Project on Nod Road and various34
dates around the Siting Council process including a date in which the Town would need to file as35
an intervener. Ms. Mackstutis discussed a previous meeting held with Lodestar and items they36
have done since an initial letter was sent in December. Mr. McGregor discussed Lodestar’s37
presentation to the Conservation Commission on April 7th and said there was no opposition from38
the Commission raised at their meeting. Ms. Mackstutis gave information including what the39
estimated yearly revenue would be for the town due to taxes.40
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Mr. Antonio gave his thoughts and stated he believes we should be an intervener to get the best42
possible outcome for the Town.43
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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 – A p r i l 9 , 2 0 2 6
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Mr. DeCrescenzo outlined what an intervener would detail including that the town would need to45
state what they are looking for in their petition letter. MR. DeCrescenzo said this would fall46
under his retainer.47
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Mr. Paine said he would like for the Board to become an intervener.49
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Ms. Yeisley, via Zoom, gave her thoughts including her belief on being an intervener.51
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Mr. Looney, via Zoom, gave his thoughts and comments.53
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Mr. Beal state he would like the Town to be an intervener.55
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Mr. DeCrescenzo discussed the difference between being a party or intervener57
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Mr. Beal asked about abutter letters to neighboring properties and the process of requesting to be59
a party compared to intervener. Attorney DeCrescenzo said it is a similar form that this firm uses60
when applying to be a party and an intervener.61
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The Board of Selectmen engaged in discussion on what they would like to see be done. After63
discussion, Mr. Paine made a motion to file for party and or intervener status and to have the64
Town Attorney and staff work on the application. Further move to direct the Town Manager to65
oversee the process. Mr. Beal seconded the motion. Ms. Mackstutis said this is for best interest of66
the Town and does not necessarily convey an opposition to the idea of the project. All were in67
favor of the motion, therefore the motion passed.68
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ADJOURN70
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Mr. Antonio made a motion, effective April 9, 2026, to adjourn the Special Meeting of the Board72
of Selectmen at 9:07 a.m. Mr. Beal seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion73
passed.74
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Respectfully submitted,76
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Tom Fitzgerald78
Deputy Town Manager79