Minutes

Board of Selectmen - Minutes - Aug 10, 2026

Aug 10, 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 6:00 p.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; Treasurer/Finance Director Amy Meriwether; Budget Director7
Melissa Appleby; Town Assessor Francine Beland; Library Director Lisa Miceli and other8
interested parties.9
10
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE11
12
Everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.13
14
PRESENTATION (4:52)15
16
Financial Strategic Planning Roadmap by Finance Director/Treasurer Amy Meriwether17
18
Mr. Nelson said this will be a continuation from the last Board of Selectmen meeting concerning19
the capital plan and financial constraints the Town has and working through this. They will try to20
focus attention on the biggest issues on the municipal side of the capital plan. He said the21
budget planning begins in mid fall. They are going to try to start capital planning a little bit earlier22
this year and want to give the Board a taste of what’s coming and give them time to think about23
some key issues this year.24
25
Ms. Meriwether said the Board wanted to move forward with a strategic plan and working on a26
capital plan to try to get a long-term strategic goal. She said the staff put together this proposal27
on the next steps to get to our goal.28
29
Ms. Meriwether started with a staff roadmap: Review of the existing CIP Plan (they want to30
change it up a little from last year and work with the Board of Ed to get one cohesive plan), by31
revamping the plan based on need and removing the “unfunded” category; internal prioritization32
of projects; and getting the Board of Selectmen to provide policy guidance. Then they would be33
reviewing the plan with the Town Manager who would establish a final plan based on need and34
financial capacity. Then they would be presenting to the Board of Selectmen for their feedback35
while utilizing budget modeling to evaluate the long-term impact of the plan.36
37
Ms. Meriwether said they will need policy guidance and direction from the Board of Selectmen,38
who represent the residents, on Memorial Pool Redesign/Splash Pad; Eno Memorial Hall39
Building Maintenance and Usage; Intergenerational Community Center and Police Facility; and40
Town hall Renovations. There are a lot of options within these plans that need to be looked at,41
and the staff would put together something to show options, pros and cons, and possible costs.42
These are big community-based projects, and the staff will need help to see if the project will be43
on the plan and to what extent it should be handled.44
45
Ms. Meriwether said the next steps would be for the departments to review current requests,46
plan studies and timeline of managing the projects; the Board of Selectmen feedback and47
guidance would be needed at the September 14th and September 28th meetings; the Town48
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Manager uses staff and the Board’s feedback to finalize a draft plan; and the plan is presented49
to the Board of Selectmen at the October 26th meeting.50
51
Ms. Meriwether said when the plan is presented to the Board of Selectmen it will show the full52
CIP Plan with out years; budget modeling, proposed mill rates, capital planning and the53
bonding, etc. This is the first step in building a future plan and where we need to be.54
55
Ms. Mackstutis noted that the Board of Education should be following this plan for cohesion as56
well. There was some discussion on Squadron Line School costs and the cost of delaying the57
projects. She would like a fact sheet and information to compare when looking at these four58
projects. After Board comments and some discussion, there was no motion made at this time.59
60
Mr. Nelson said they do need Board guidance before trying to cost projects out. They also need61
to know the cost of delaying a project. He also noted that if they did a project at Eno Memorial62
Hall, the hall would have to be emptied out, and they would need a cost for that as well.63
64
PUBLIC AUDIENCE (24:40)65
66
• Email townmanager@simsbury-ct.gov by noon on Monday, August 10, 2026 to register67
to address the Board of Selectmen live through Zoom68
• Written comments can be emailed to townmanager@simsbury-ct.gov. not read into the69
record, but forwarded to all Selectmen via email70
71
Susan Masino via Zoom, 41 Madison Lane, encouraged the Town to allow for virtual72
participation for all public meetings, like public hearings, etc., for those who have difficulty73
actually getting to meetings. She also said the Open Space Committee is working on a74
comprehensive document that includes their policies and inventory. She said they would like to75
present this document to the Board of Selectmen late October/early November.76
77
Ms. Masino also spoke about affordable housing and needing real common-sense definitions on78
this. She spoke about the State’s definition of affordable housing versus a resident’s definition.79
She feels their situations that regular citizens would use as affordable housing that the State80
doesn’t see. She feels the State would benefit from having conversations with citizens on this81
issue.82
83
Joan Coe, 26 Whitcomb Drive, once again spoke about a no trespassing order against her. She84
also spoke about a citation about dumpsters on Railroad Street. She also spoke about a sign85
that the compliance officer said wasn’t really a sign. Ms. Coe said the use of AI should be86
implemented with Town staff to improve administrative efficiency. She also spoke about who87
would be running for First Selectman and feels the Democratic party should be looking for new88
candidates. She feels Section 830g has stringent requirements and undo burdens on the89
community. She feels the Town should find a mechanism to reverse these laws. She feels the90
Town has not protected the residents with an increase in solar panels. These panels deplete91
farmland, fragmenting animal and plant habitat. She also spoke about the International Skating92
Center that she feels is not paying its share of taxes. She feels their agreement should be93
renegotiated at this time, so they do pay the correct taxes.94
95
Maria Ecke spoke about a letter she said she received from Town Manager, Marc Nelson, about96
her hostile actions while using the Public Library. She said the letter stated the policy for use at97
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the library. She said she was shocked to receive this letter and explained some issues she has98
been having there. She went through some questions she said she had asked on July 13th.99
100
Brian Smith, 7 Wintergreen, spoke about the six flock cameras that we have in Town. He said101
we rent these cameras, and they can do whatever they want to with the data they get from102
them, even sell the data. He said there are a lot of Towns that are now cancelling their contracts103
for these cameras so the money can be used for more important things. He has no problem with104
using cameras but feels we should not be using flock cameras so they can use the data for105
whatever they want. The Police should purchase their own cameras to use.106
107
FIRST SELECTMAN’S REPORT (42:54)108
109
First Selectman, Wendy Mackstutis, reviewed her First Selectman’s report.110
111
TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT (47:38)112
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Town Manager, Marc Nelson, reviewed his Town Manager’s report.114
115
CONSENT AGENDA (58:12)116
117
Mr. Beal made a motion, effective August 10, 2026, to move items a) Authorize the Town118
Manager to Execute Tax Overpayment Refunds; c) Authorize the Town Manager to Submit an119
Agreement for a State of Connecticut Secretary of State Early Voting Grant; d) Authorize the120
Town Manager to apply for a Simsbury Community Fund Grant; f) Authorize the Town Manager121
to Engage with Efficient Lighting and Maintenance, Inc., Regarding the Implementation of the122
New England Smart Energy Group, LLC Master Agreement; and items under Appointments and123
Resignations, item a) Reappoint Matthew Arthur to the Economic Development Commission;124
and c) Take Receipt of William Clegg’s Resignation from the Public Building Committee to the125
consent agenda. Mr. Antonio seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.126
127
LIAISION AND SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS (59:23)128
129
Ms. Yeisley said school starts on August 26th.130
131
She noted that “Burgers on the Bridge” will take place on September 9th from 4 – 6:30 p.m. on132
the Flower Bridge.133
134
Ms. Yeisley said DEI is working on a Hispanic Heritage month event between September 15 –135
October 15th.136
137
Ms. Yeisley said the Simsbury Civic Forum will take place on September 16th from 6-8 p.m. at138
the Library. They are also working on a plan for a Juneteenth Fiscal Agency. There are more139
plans to come on this.140
141
Ms. Yeisley said the library is still going through their strategic plan results. The library142
exceeded their summer reading goal with 3,308 participants. She said there were 25 local143
businesses and sponsors who donated raffle prizes with the drawing to be held on August 18th.144
She slowed notecards featuring local artwork for the adult reading prizes.145
146
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Ms. Yeisley said the Junior Police Academy has 13 graduates, and it was a huge success.147
148
She said we have had some very strong storms this year and we assume they will continue149
throughout the summer months. Public works would like everyone to report their power outages150
and trees down.151
152
Ms. Yeisley said the Fashion Show will be held on October 8th at noon, and they do need153
volunteers and models.154
155
Ms. Yeisley said the Performing Arts Center Talcott Mountain Music Festival has ended for the156
year. Now they will start their own concert series, beginning with the 502’s on August 14th, etc.157
158
Mr. Paine said he appreciates adding members to EDC and he looks forward to their meeting159
next week.160
161
Mr. Antonio said Simsbury Main Street’s Taste of Simsbury fundraiser will be on Thursday,162
August 27th.163
164
Mr. Looney said the Culture, Parks and Recreation meeting along with the Police Commission165
meetings were cancelled this month.166
167
Mr. Looney said there was a discussion at Zoning about the car wash coming into Town. There168
is a lot of feedback from the public about not having a car wash in Town, but no decision was169
made about this yet.170
171
Mr. Beal said Sustainability and Community Media did find a way to livestream. He said172
residents can continue to review content on their channels on regular cable channels and there173
will still be archives of previous shows as well. He said the goal is to continue to provide174
access, and he hopes the Town will continue Simsbury Community Media. It was no fault of the175
non-profit that this content was displayed, nor any fault of the Town. He hopes the Town will176
support an organization that provides access to the community for all the video content.177
YouTube also ends up being a small but important revenue source due to the ads displayed.178
179
Mr. Beal said he is also involved with a Civic Community Forum, which is a civic engagement180
forum to be held on September 16th from 6 – 8 p.m. You can register on the Simsbury Public181
Library site. The goal is to provide a venue to have a conversation with fellow residents (not a182
debate and not on tough issues). Hopefully this will make our community even better.183
184
Ms. Mackstutis said the Personnel Sub-committee meeting was cancelled.185
186
Ms. Mackstutis said she went on the open space office tour at 175 and 125 Powder Forest. She187
was impressed with the office space and hopes someone will take-up this nice space soon.188
189
SELECTMEN ACTION190
191
a) Authorize the Town Manager to Execute Tax Overpayment Refunds192
193
This item was moved to the Consent Agenda.194
195
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b) Review and Discuss Updates to Draft Amendments to the Town Code Chapter 13;196
Ethics, Code (1:07:55)197
198
Ms. Mackstutis said there was a Public Hearing on this item at their last meeting. Mr. Nelson199
said the Town Attorney blessed the draft, subject to any changes tonight. There is a red line200
edited version in the packet, and it was discussed with the Superintendent of Schools. He said201
we are making progress and thanked everyone for their comments. He said there are still some202
questions about how to treat elected vs. non-elected Boards and Commissions in the draft. This203
should be discussed further.204
205
Ms. Mackstutis went through the changes she had submitted. After discussion on sections 13-206
2(c)2; adding a clause if there is an ethics concern with the Town Manager should be like 13-207
12c as he is an employee – it should say Town Manager like it says Superintendent of Schools,208
to be explicit; section 13-2 Appointed or Elected – Mr. Beal would like two sentences removed.209
Ms. Mackstutis also had a question on Section 13-2-2 on page 7, but that was not changed. Mr.210
Nelson said Ms. Mackstutis’s suggestions were already changed in the draft.211
212
After discussion, Mr. Nelson will get a final draft to the Board of Selectmen on Town Code213
Chapter 13; Ethics, Code of, before final approval.214
215
c) Authorize the Town Manager to Submit an Agreement for a State of Connecticut216
Secretary of State Early Voting Grant217
218
This item was moved to the Consent Agenda.219
220
d) Authorize the Town Manager to apply for Simsbury Community Fund Grant221
222
This item was moved to the Consent Agenda.223
224
e) Schedule a Public Hearing to Receive Public Comment Regarding Adopting Two225
Local Options Allowed by Connecticut Public Act No. 25-168 (1:19:01)226
227
Ms. Mackstutis said last year the State added exemptions for Veterans on taxes and now228
people are asking about this. Mr. Nelson said it is helpful to hear comments from the public on229
these issues. He said the legislature makes it possible to redo changes retroactively and he230
would like to get the Board’s feedback on what changes could be made. He said staff is not231
recommending making any changes retroactive to the grand list of October 1, 2026. His232
recommendation is to set a Public Hearing and then take it from there.233
234
Ms. Beland said originally TDIU (Totally Disabled due to Individual Unemployability) was235
included in these options, but at the last minute the State made changes and they were taken236
off. She feels they should be included. She said after reviewing this ordinance, there are local237
options that can be adopted and she feels there may be others that should be looked at like238
acreage and widows. There is a lot of information needed to make these options work.239
240
Mr. Beal encouraged the Board to set a Public Hearing and to do their homework to make sure241
this ordinance happens as it is long overdue.242
243
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Ms. Yeisley asked if Gold Star Veterans are included in this ordinance. Ms. Beland said no, as244
that is for parents or spouses of veterans that have died while in action. This is just TDIU and245
not a part of these local options.246
247
After discussion, Mr. Beal made a motion, effective August 10, 2026, to schedule a Public248
Hearing on adopting two local options allowed by Connecticut Public Act No. 25-168 for 6:00249
p.m. on Monday, September 14, 2026, with possible changes after the public hearing. Ms.250
Yeisley seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.251
252
f) Authorize the Town Manager to Engage with Efficient Lighting and Maintenance, Inc.253
Regarding Implementation of the New England Smart Energy Group, LLC Master254
Agreement255
256
This item was moved to the Consent Agenda.257
258
g) Authorize the Town Manager to Apply for a 2026 Greyfield Revitalization Program259
Grant for 82 Hopmeadow Street (1:37:49)260
261
Mr. Nelson said that this would be a retroactive approval of a grant application that he filed last262
week for a Greyfield Revitalization Program for 82 Hopmeadow Street. They applied for the263
grant, so they didn’t miss the deadline. Greyfield is a property that has no known environmental264
challenges but is essentially a vacant commercial piece of property. There are environmental265
issues at the site so they are not sure this grant would even apply. This can be supplemented266
or augmented as more information is available to us. It can also be withdrawn if the Board267
doesn’t support this. He said the ask is for $175,000 from the State to conduct an assessment268
of the most appropriate use of the property at 82 Hopmeadow Street. This property was269
selected by Main Street Partnership to help resolve vacancies. He feels the assessment give270
property owners ideas of what works on that property. This study would yield a document that271
would be constructive in guiding the possible decisions of a developer.272
273
Ms. Mackstutis said she read the correspondence on this property, and it said the purchaser274
was going to try to renovate the property, but if not, may demolish it and make it residential.275
She would like to see commercial business there. She asked if the Board would be able to see276
the proposals for the property so we can get the highest and best use of the property. Mr.277
Nelson said he feels the motion makes it so the proposal comes back to the Board before any278
decisions are made. If the grant is approved, it must come before the Board again. There is279
usually a back and forth with the State and they need to approve proposals as well.280
281
Mr. Beal said he was in favor of authorizing the grant application retroactively, but not the other282
two motions regarding the acceptance or the appropriation and then decide what to do if the283
application is approved.284
285
After more discussion, Ms. Yeisley made a motion, effective August 10, 2026, to submit the286
2026 Greyfield Revitalization Program Grant application and authorize the Town Manager, Marc287
Nelson, to execute the grant application retroactively. Mr. Looney seconded the motion. All288
were in favor and the motion passed.289
290
291
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h) Review and Adopt the Board of Selectmen Goals for the 2026-2027 Term of Office293
(1:47:19)294
295
Ms. Mackstutis said the Board started on their goals last year. They have discussed them and296
changed or added to them at many meetings that followed. The Board now has the results that297
she put together to see if they can get them approved. She said she combined the government298
operations with the financial part now. She also made a few other changes. She also put in299
levels as some things are already in progress and need to be noted. The Board now has a final300
spreadsheet to work with. These would be short-term goals. She said if these are approved,301
maybe they should discuss resources and who is interested in working with staff on these302
projects.303
304
Mr. Nelson said it is very important to put shared services, expansion, paving, building, and305
maintenance as top priority as this will figure prominently in the budget submission in February.306
307
Mr. Paine said there needs to be more discussion on economic development and grand list308
growth with the initiatives of an arts council policy resolution. He needs the meaning of this. Ms.309
Mackstutis said it is about people meetings to discuss how to bring more arts to Town.310
311
Mr. Beal said in the Open Space part he wants to add to the language in the goals is to protect312
Town-owned open space by ordinance or conservation easement. He would like this under313
policy from the Board of Selectmen or as a new line. Ms. Mackstutis said she would want to add314
where applicable or desired as well. Mr. Antonio felt this could be binding to the Board. Mr. Beal315
is ok not adding this as long as the Board is under the same thinking about this. There were316
also a couple of typos that need to be corrected.317
318
Mr. Beal made a motion, effective August 10, 2026, to adopt the Board of Selectmen goals for319
2025-2027 term as presented. Ms. Mackstutis seconded the motion. All were in favor and the320
motion passed.321
322
APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS323
324
a) Reappoint Matthew Arthur to the Economic Development Commission325
326
This item was moved to the Consent Agenda.327
328
b) Appoint Jeremy Perlman and Michael Zemel to the Economic Development329
Commission (2:02:37)330
331
Ms. Mackstutis said Personnel interviews EDC applications. They reviewed Mr. Perlman’s, but332
Mr. Zemel’s never came through the Town by the Democratic Town Committee. She said333
Personnel did interview him as there is a need to populate EDC. Another candidate couldn’t334
meet the timeline, but there will be another one or two openings in October.335
336
Mr. Beal said the record should be corrected that neither was recommended; Mr. Perlman was337
nominated by the Democratic Town Committee, both were interviewed by the nominating338
committee and sent to the full Board in absence of a recommendation.339
340
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Mr. Yeisley made a motion to appoint Jeremy Pearlman (D) as a Regular Member of the341
Economic Development Commission for a term ending October 10, 2027. Mr. Looney342
seconded the motion. All were in favor, with Mr. Beal abstaining, and the motion passed.343
344
Ms. Yeisley made a motion to appoint Michael Zemel (D) as a Regular Member of the Economic345
Development Commission for a term ending October 10, 2026.346
347
Further move, to appoint Michael Zemel as a Regular Member of the Economic Development348
Commission for a term ending October 10, 2029. Mr. Antonio seconded the motion. All were in349
favor, with Mr. Beal abstaining, and the motion passed.350
351
c) Acknowledge Receipt of William Clegg’s Resignation from the Public Building352
Committee353
354
This item was moved to the Consent Agenda.355
356
APPROVAL OF MINUTES (2:07:15)357
358
a) July 13, 2026 Regular Meeting359
360
Mr. Beal made a motion, effective August 10, 2026, to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of361
July 13, 2026. Ms. Yeisley seconded the motion.362
363
Ms. Mackstutis had a question on line 77 – about the Fire Department being called to Holcomb364
Road on July 4th. The year was not given, but she feels it was over 8 years ago. She would365
also like to note that the sign at Antonio’s was legal.366
367
Mr. Antonio spoke about Antonio’s Restaurant, although he has an interest in it, it is a separate368
entity. It’s a corporation that is under the eyes of the law and independent of him. Ms. Coe369
utilizing it to preach about boycotting it has no direct reflection on him. He feels it is370
inappropriate to have this in the minutes. You can’t pick on a business. It is not the business371
that is a public figure. He is the public figure, and he has to tolerate the comments. He doesn’t372
feel a business should be persecuted just because of an affiliation with him. It is just unfair.373
Antonio’s Restaurant didn’t put a restraining order on her. These things should not be in the374
minutes and should not be tolerated. This has affected other taxpayers that have no place in375
this discussion. It has gone too far.376
377
Mr. Fitzgerald said the minutes can state a resident spoke about a topic, the minutes are not a378
transcript but that this was a Board policy decision they would have to consider.379
380
Ms. Mackstutis said under the goals there should be a set of standardized communications from381
the Town Manager’s office. More discussion is needed on this subject.382
383
Mr. Beal thinks it is okay that the public comes here with their comments and that it’s okay that384
they say things that are incendiary and feels it would be very dangerous to only truncate the385
comments on people from whom we disagree. He feels the Board needs to be worthy of their386
office.387
388
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Mr. Beal made a correction on page 9 – line 377: should be by invitation only not invi5q5ion. All389
were in favor, with the correction, and the motion passed.390
391
COMMUNICATIONS392
393
a) Memorandum from the Town Manager re: SPAC Maintenance and Responsibilities,394
dated August 2, 2026395
396
Ms. Mackstutis said she had a question about Public Works cleaning there for the season to get397
an idea of the costs there would be and the impact to the Town. Mr. Nelson said that is true.398
399
b) Memorandum from the Town Manager re: Administrative Approval of Public Gathering400
Permits, dated August 10, 2026401
402
No discussion was held at this time.403
404
c) Memorandum from the Public Works Director/Town Engineer re: Solar Power405
Purchase Agreements- High School and Latimer Lane Elementary School, dated July406
20, 2026407
408
No discussion was held at this time.409
410
d) Memorandum from the Public Works Director/Town Engineer re: Stoddard Reservoir411
Dam, dated August 10, 2026412
413
Ms. Mackstutis said the Board heard a lot of comments at the last meeting. She said Mr. Roy is414
following DEEP’S recommendations, and nothing was said about the impact on animals, etc.415
and she hopes that it is within the preview. She also asked him for information about the Fish416
and Game Club for the people who said they didn’t know about this.417
418
ADJOURN419
420
Ms. Yeisley made a motion, effective August 10, 2026, to adjourn the meeting at 8:12 p.m. Mr.421
Looney seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.422
423
Respectfully submitted,424
425
Kathi Radocchio426
Clerk427
428
429