Simsbury Board of Selelctmen Meeting September 8, 2025

Board of Selectmen September 8, 2025

The Board of Selectmen held a hearing at the August 11,2025 meeting for the purpose of hearing comments from the public related to a proposed ordinance regarding dogs at and on Town recreational facilities, athletic fields, and trails.

The hearing was to hear from the public to address complaints about people leaving dog poop on grassy areas in Town without picking up after them.

This led to an Ordinance to address Dogs at Recreational Facilities, Athletic Fields and Trails which was passed.

If people took responsibility for their dogs, an Ordinance would not be needed.

We have laws that require bicyclists on the road to follow the signs and stop at Stop Signs and traffic lights.

These laws are rarely observed by the bicyclists, causing accidents and placing the public at risk.

Alcohol consumption has caused family violence issues and deaths from impaired driving.

Alcohol consumption along with prescription and over-the -counter drugs can impair driving.

Impaired judgement leads to poor decision-making, risky sexual behavior, and increased likelihood of accidents

If the Town was truly interested in regulating people’s behavior, the Board of Selectmen should create an Ordinance for No Alcoholic beverages on Town property.

Town Attorney Bob DeCrescenzo has been Town Attorney since 1998, leading to a cozy relationship with the leadership of the Town.

Town Attorney DeCrescenzo is under a fixed cost contract of with additional revenue for projects over 50 continual hours.

First Selectman Wendy Mackstutis continually states that Simsbury is very transparent and shares all expenditures.

However, Town Attorney Decrescenzo does not list services rendered.

Only recently has the invoices only showed his monthly payment, with no record of activity.

Where is the transparency?

DeCrescenzo’s contractual salary is $110,000, $9,166.67 per month for general representation.

Town Attorney DeCrescenzo was told to attend the Charter Revision Commission meetings at an additional cost.

The listing for services rendered as of July is an additional $36,925.

However, Decrescenzo had to leave early at one meeting due to a conflict with another client.

The Town should audit the invoices for the Charter Revision Commission since Decrescenzo comes late and leaves early, reducing his hourly rate.

Town Attorney Decrescenzo is required to fill out a Conflict-of-Interest form.

Decrescenzo was representing the Silverman Group at the same time in both Simsbury and East Granby

This was not noted on the Conflict-of-Interest form, a violation of law.

Not only is it a conflict but Simsbury had to hire another Attorney at great cost to the Town, due to the conflict.

Decrescenzo should be required to pay all expenses incurred by the Town due to his conflict with the Silverman Group.

Taxpayers should not pick up this cost.

Town Attorney DeCrescenzo should be replaced in the best interest of the Town.

Recently I observed that the Mitchell Auto Group was advertising at the Simsbury Farms Golf Course with various flyers that were attached to many of the buildings at the Golf Course

All the Golf Carts had advertising stickers attached to the sides, including the staff cart.

A Mitchell Auto Group car was displayed on the green at the Golf course.

I posted the pictures in a collage of the flyers and the car on twitter@joancoe.

The posting states, “Simsbury, Mitchell Auto Group Advertises At Simsbury Farms Golf Course”.

I posted a quote from Thomas Jefferson that states, “Equal Rights For All Special Privileges for None.”

To my surprise over 900 people viewed the posting.

It appears that Mark Mitchell received special privileges from Tom Tyburski, Director of Culture, Parks, and Recreation Department to pepper the Golf Course with advertising and park a car on the green at the Golf Course.

Joe Hollis, Code Compliance Officer stated that he does not regulate advertising at Simsbury Farms.

Joe Hollis should oversee all signs in Town, including signage at Simsbury Farms.

The Town should have a policy on advertising on all Town property, including Open Space, Simsbury Farms and Simsbury Meadows.

It appears that Steve Antonio has received Special Privileges when the Planning Department considered an outdoor storage area was grand-fathered although the prior activity on the land was abandoned, according to the Town policy.

According to a memo from Joe Hollis, Code Compliance Officer, referencing that the subject property “is a pre-existing non-conforming use that was established by the previous Hopmeadow Car Rental business in1983.

The land was dormant for over 7 years before it was purchased by Steve Antonio in 2015 and should not be grand-fathered.

Joe Hollis stated in a memo,” We are currently working with the property owner to address the “call your mother” sign”

The sign remains on the property.

The Planning and Community Development Department should follow the law and not be an advocate for special inviduals.