Simsbury Annual Report 2007 - 2008 - Town of Simsbury

Public Building Committee (continued)
Completed plans and bidding for the addition and renovation project
at the Tariffville School. With an estimated value of $6.2 million, this
project is expected to be completed in 2009.
Completed design for Eno Memorial Hall fi re suppression system and
code improvements, valued at $0.3 million.
We foresee a very busy schedule next fi scal year, with the completion of
construction for the Tariffville School addition/renovation; design and
bidding for the Tootin Hill school roof, including solar or wind power
features; undertaking a building improvements’ facility study for Simsbury
Farms Recreation Complex, which will include investigating alternative
energy sources; and, completing the Eno Memorial project.
Recycling Committee
The Recycling Committee was heavily occupied in 2008 amending our
Mission Statement, completing extensive research into and recommending
to the BOS our support for the 20% by 2010 initiative and for the Single-
Stream Recycling Program. In May 2008 we sponsored and chaperoned
the Enviro-Team from Henry James Middle School to the CRRA Trash
Museum as part of our Educational Program.
Our Nike Reuse-A-Shoe Program completed another successful collection
effort this past Spring. This program collects sneakers to be shipped to
the Nike Company where they are ground up to be used in making new
sports surfaces, including soccer and football fi elds, basketball and tennis
courts and tracks and playground surfacing. The Recycling Committee
coordinated with preschools, private and public schools, local gyms, Little
League fi elds and the Town Hall to collect and deliver discarded sneakers
to the designated pick-up site at the Transfer Station.
The Recycling Committee managed the Swap Center located at the
Transfer Station on Wolcott Road, which was open on Saturdays from
April through October from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Center accepts
donations of items no longer needed by their owners to be offered free to
any resident without limit. Our volunteers donated 127 hours of their
time to manage the Center. Volunteers this year consisted of members
of our Recycling Committee and volunteers from the Civitan Club of
Simsbury and the Farmington Valley. A total of 413 residents visited the
Center and of that number, 137 residents selected 395 items for continued
home use, which is our ultimate recycling goal.
November 15 is the offi cial date of America Recycles Day, a celebration
instituted over 12 years ago by the National Recycling Coalition in an
effort to educate and encourage Americans to reduce the amount of trash
going into landfi lls by recycling and buying recycled products. Since 1997
the Simsbury Recycling Committee, in conjunction with America Recycles
Day, has presented Annual Recycling Awards to a total of 28 recipients
Boards & Commissions
who have shown a dedication to reduce, recycle and reuse within their
community. On November 10, 2008 the Annual Recycling Award was
awarded to two recipients, the Farmington River Watershed Association
for initiating and coordinating the collection and appropriate disposal of
unwanted medications and to Jan Manchester for her continued recycling
efforts involving used baseball equipment donated to Hartford Southside
Little League and the Nike Reuse-A-Shoe Program.
Goals for 2008 – 2009
To open and rededicate a New Swap Center located at the Simsbury
Transfer Station.
To continue the Nike Reuse-A-Shoe Program and to involve additional
schools and the private sector to increase participation in this effort.
To continue our Educational Program within the Simsbury school system.
To publish and distribute a revised Simsbury Bulky Waste & Recycling
Center informational handout for residents and businesses.
Simsbury Farms Complex Committee
Duties
The Simsbury Farms Complex Committee was established by the Board
of Selectmen in 1998. This Committee was established, specifi cally,
to evaluate the facilities and operations at Simsbury Farms and provide
recommendations to meet the short and long term goals of the community.
Accomplishments of 2007 – 2008
Financial:
The special revenue fund established for Simsbury Farms ended FY 07-08
with a $51,727 fund surplus. Total revenues for Simsbury Farms during
this fi scal year were $1,784k.
Projects:
Centralized Maintenance is a new concept recommended by the
Complex Committee. This centralized facility combines Parks
maintenance located at Simsbury Farms with Golf maintenance. The
proposed 10,000 sq. ft modular steel building will be located parallel
to the fi fth fairway, adjacent to the present golf maintenance facility.
Total cost for this project is in the $800k range and is a line item in
the six year Capital Plan.
Access road to the golf parking lot remains a high priority. To expedite
this project a lower cost, one way exit road from the golf parking lot is
now recommended. Construction is planned to be completed in the fall
of 2008.
Parking remains an issue during the busy summer months. Construction
of the new exit road will provide approximately fi fty new parking spaces
on the present exit lane from the golf parking lot.
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