Minutes
Simsbury Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council - Minutes - Aug 3, 2026
Aug 3, 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.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Council Regular Meeting August 3, 2026 - 6:00 P.M. Weatogue Room, Simsbury Public Library 725 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, Connecticut 06070 MINUTES Call to Order: ● Co-Chair Vigdal called the meeting to order at 6:02 P.M. Roll Call: Members: Co-Chair Cheryl Cook, Co-Chair Rose Vigdal, Vice Chair Mala Matacin, Abigail Vacca, Leah Pitfield, Lydia Tedone ● Liaisons: Town Manager Marc Nelson, Selectwoman Diana Yeisley, Management Specialist Franklyn Barrueco ● Volunteer: Rick Brush Liaison Reports: ● Board of Selectmen ● Selectwoman Yeisley informed the Council that there is a Selectmen meeting next Monday where they will talk about capital bonding and finalize their goals for the term. ● She discussed the recent Simsbury Volunteer Ambulance Association ambulance lease agreement, the approval of the Head of Children’s Services/Deputy Library Director (Stephanie Prato’s promotion), ribbon cutting for the Simsbury Performing Arts Center bandshell project, and Nod Road proposed solar array project. ● She reported that the Library is finishing their review of the results from the Strategic Plan survey. ● Town Manager’s Office ● Manager Nelson informed the Council that his team is going to start next year’s budget and capital planning shortly. Town of Simsbury DEI Council Regular Meeting Minutes August 3, 2026 ● Former Library Business & Career Center Coordinator Cyn Thomas is now working part-time in the Town Manager’s Office as the Town’s Business Development Coordinator and she is staff support to the Economic Development Commission. ● Human Resources Intern Jose will be starting in late August. ● There is a scheduled meeting later in the week to debrief on the 2026 Juneteenth Celebration with stakeholders, officials, and Council leadership. Chair(s) Updates: Co-Chair Cook shared the Valley Life article on the 2026 Juneteenth Celebration. The Council discussed the student representative membership slot and will seek a new representative. Due to a lack of quorum, the June 1, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes were not reviewed. New Business: 501(c)(3) Juneteenth Nonprofit Organization Discussion The Council discussed various possibilities and logistics regarding establishing a nonprofit organization focused on serving as the fiscal agent for future Juneteenth Celebrations. The Council further discussed different names for the organization. The Hispanic Heritage Month Discussion was not discussed due to key members not being present. Old Business: Juneteenth Recap The Council discussed the location and availability of food trucks, the fireworks finale, and the need to have more t-shirts for sale. Simsbury Civic Forum Update (Wednesday, September 16th at 6:00 P.M. in the Library) Volunteer Brush outlined the scope and discussed the logistics for the event. 350th Anniversary of King Phillip’s War Update not discussed due to key members not being present. Honor Flight Recap Co-Chair Vigdal mentioned that it was a great event where more than twelve (12) people attended. Adopt DEI Council Logo The Council discussed redesign the logo to include more diversity. Adjourn: ● Co-Chair Vigdal adjourned the meeting at 7:19 P.M. Town of Simsbury DEI Council Regular Meeting Minutes August 3, 2026 Respectfully submitted, Franklyn Barrueco Management Specialist