Simsbury Board of Selectmen Meeting July 14, 2025

Board of Selectmen Meeting July 14, 2025

Recently the Town fulfilled my Freedom of Information request of all communications between Steve Antonio and the Planning and Community Development Department regarding sign violations on the Antonio properties.

It appears from the emails that I received, that Deputy First Selectman Steve Antonio is receiving special treatment.

The emails state:

Self-Storage Signs: The panels were not approved by the DRB (Design Review Board) and the Planning Office as part of the freestanding signs plan

Trailhead Printing New Business Sign: This sign requires a zoning permit attached along with a sign plan to be reviewed by Design Review Board and approved by our office prior to installation.

Letter dated March 25, 2025 Antonio Restaurant Building: The painted sign with plastic letters was approved as part of the 1994 sign plan. Unfortunately, the “call your mother sign” was not part of that plan. Can you please remove that sign and refrain from posting additional permanent outside of the approval process? The sign remains on the building.

Storage Facility: The temporary sign for the storage facility was still nailed to the permanent sign. Please adhere to the regulations to avoid further complaints.

Deputy First Selectman Steve Antonio has displayed a complete disregard for the zoning regulations although owning many businesses in town that require plans and signage approval from the Zoning Commission.

Deputy First Selectman Steve Antonio has been on boards, commissions that oversee the land use of the town including business groups that are aware of the Zoning regulations.

Steve Antonio posted his qualifications on the Democratic Town Committee website: Past or present Boards/Commissions/Volunteer work: Zoning Board of Appeals, Chairman; Design Review Board, Chairman; Building Code Board of Appeals; Simsbury Main Street, Board Member

However, Deputy Selectman Steve Antonio has knowingly and continually disregarded the Zoning requirements for signage on his business property.

Deputy Selectman Steve Antonio placed a sign on a tree with information on his outdoor storage facility in a B-2 Zone.

The outdoor storage facility must be part of a permanent business establishment in a B-2 Zone

A memo was written by Joeph Hollis, AZT Code Compliance Officer stating, “1225-1261, the address refenced above is allowed to continue the storage use in the rear lot of the parcel as a pre-existing non-conforming use that was established by the previous Hopmeadow Car Rental business …. dated November 7, 1985.”

Parking was used for the Wagner Auto Business that was an on-site establishment.

It appears that the outdoor storage facility is non-compliant with the Zone and should not be grandfathered in as an acceptable use.

According to the Zoning Regulations, § 158-3 Fines established.

The fine for each violation shall be up to $150 per day for each day the violation continues, payable to the Treasurer of the Town of Simsbury.

Although there have been fines imposed for violators, there is no mention of fines for Steve Antonio.

The Simsbury taxpayers are being fleeced by our representatives.

Recently the Board of Selectmen reviewed a proposal from Town Manager Marc Nelson to establish a Food Pantry using the Darling Trust for operating expenditures.

Town Manager Marc Nelson stated that he negotiated the process with the Directors of the Darling Trust.

The Darling Trust would pay for a part-time employee and the rental of a room at 1st Church of Christ for storage and distribution.

I contacted both Avon and Winsor, discussing the funding for their Food Pantries.

All storage facilities were donated and all others processes of collection and distribution were free, done by volunteers.

It appears that Town Manager Marc Nelson provided the Directors of the Darling Fund a proposal that was not fully vetted with a false premise that the Directors approved on Marc Nelson’s misguided proposal.

The Board of Selectmen are also at fault for not doing their homework on reviewing models from other Towns.

The Darling Fund is for the neediest individuals in our Town.

Using this fund for a Food Pantry that should be done by volunteers, takes needed money from more worthy projects.

The proposal to the Darling Fund for funding the Food Pantry should be withdrawn and a replaced with a volunteer program with free space at the 1St Church of Christ.

Expenditures for the Police Comfort Dog should be removed from the budget as it was initiated through ARPA Funds.

It appears the purchase of 2 Farms Village Road for Special Education has not been completed and remains vacant.

It was negotiated by Town Manager Marc Nelson.

The proposal for a Grant of $400,000 for remediation of the Brownfield on the Wagner property, should be withdrawn and paid by Wagner Ford, the responsible party.

Town’s do not pay $180,000 for ambulance service.

Starbucks has withdrawn its application next to Big Y.

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