Simsbury Baord of Selectmen Meeting November 10, 2025

Board of Selectmen Meeting November 10, 2025

Now that the elections are over and the First Selectman was re-elected with the entire Democratic slate there are several issues that remain to be discussed.

The Republicans on the Board will be Kevin Beal and Mike Paine to replace Heather Goetz.

Although Steve Antonio received the most votes he does not have the authority to impose his will on the public or publicly bully anyone who dares to bring out the fact that he continues to violate the Zoning regulations that require Town oversight.

Steve Antonio used his facebook page to post his personal claims against anyone who dares to discredit him or his intensions with false narratives.

When a response was made to correct the record, Steve Antoino removed the postings from his page, leaving the impression that only he has the right to inform the public with incorrect findings while misleading the public.

When Steve Antonio spoke at public audience to counter the claims against him with name-calling, First Selectman Wendy Macstutis did not use the Decorum rule and perhaps call the police to stop his rhetoric.

First Selectman, Wendy Macksturtis’s response to the Elvyra Syed, the grieving mother coming before the Board of Selectmen to share her experiences with her daughter that led to suicide during Suicide Prevention Month was callus and rude.

Elvira Syed’s speech before the Board of Selectmen highlighted how the system that was supposed to help children and families in stress with the appropriate guidance and therapy failed.

Suicides are increasing among children and adults as the only cure for depression and anxiety.

We need more Mental Health institutions where access is readily available in a timely manner.

Long-term care and out patient access should be available with cost containment.

State money should be set aside for more satellite buildings with mental health providers.

Recently, the Landmark building at 760 Hopmeadow Street was sold to a psychiatrist.

This appears to be one step in increasing availability for mental health at the local level.

The Board of Selectmen at their Special Zoom Meeting on November 7, 2025 at 10 AM approved an additional expenditure for the expansion of the Band Shell at Simsbury Meadows although we were told that the Simsbury Performing Arts would pay for all additional expenditures.

All the additions are to benefit the Performing Arts, a private organization on town land.

They should pay to play or the building should not go forward.

This once again is budget creep where the taxpayers are responsible for all additional expenditures, with the town’s General Fund.

The Simsbury Performing Arts personnel are on the record for raising all additional money for all additional expenditures not appropriated in the Referendum and State grants.

Summary of Submission discussed at the November 7, 2025 Board of Selectmen Meeting.

In May of 2024 the Simsbury Performing Arts Center Bandshell Expansion “Next Act’ Project was approved at referendum for a total value of $2,782,881 which was funded through $900,000 in state grants, $1,032,881 in donations, $500,000 in capital reserve

funds in addition to previously approved $350,000 in capital reserve funds. Current project costs including design, administration, construction and known change orders have the total project budget at $2,779,519 leaving only $3,362 in contingency for this project. Staff does not recommend moving forward with the project without contingency in the budget to account for unforeseen conditions that will arise during the construction process. The current contingency is below recommended levels even after substantial value engineering removed significant portions of the project that will have a negative impact on the final building.

The requested additional appropriation will add in items that were value engineered out while maintaining a comfortable contingency line for any unforeseen costs.

The additional appropriation, even if funded with capital reserves, must go to referendum.

The Simsbury Performing Arts is a private organization using town property for their benefit.

Simsbury Performing Arts personnel are on record that they will pay for overruns once the town taxpayers approve a $2,782,881 expenditure.

At the November 7, 2025 Board of Selectmen meeting, the additional appropriation was approved for Referendum vote on party lines, Democrats approving the motion.

Has the Town received a cost analysis on the long-term costs of maintaining the building and all other costs associated with the building and who is responsible for the costs?

Will this become another shell game of incumbering the taxpayers for costs hidden in the project?

This project should not be approved until the Simsbury Performing Arts personnel live up to their contractual obligations, raising more money with private funds.