Simsbury Performing Arts Center likely headed to referendum after sprinkler, contingency shortfall
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Summary
Town officials told the Board of Finance the SIMPAC project is under its referendum cap and may need roughly $388,000 in a supplemental appropriation — likely requiring a public referendum in January or February — largely to cover a fire suppression requirement and to restore project contingency.
Simsbury officials told the Board of Finance on Oct. 21 that the town’s Performing Arts Center project (SIMPAC) is below its referendum appropriation and will likely need a supplemental appropriation and another referendum vote to maintain adequate contingency and meet new fire-safety requirements.
Town staff said the immediate shortfall stems from a fire suppression system that a contractor priced “just a hair over $200,000,” and from dwindling contingency funds. “Right now, the estimate is that we're gonna need about 388,000. Call it 400,000,” a staff member reported to the board. Officials said contingency had dropped to roughly $5,000, leaving the project unable to proceed confidently without added funds.
The board was told project leaders have “value-engineered” earlier elements and removed roughly $100,000–$200,000 of optional scope to get under the referendum number, and that the town has pursued available grant funding. The SIMPAC capital plan includes a $900,000 DECD (state) grant with compliance requirements; staff said those rules shaped recent design choices. The project’s private nonprofit partner has raised about $904,000 to date, the board heard, but leaders said fundraising alone will not avoid a referendum.
Tom Roy, participating remotely, described the technical change that increased costs: a fire marshal review led to a requirement either for a full sprinkler system or for substantial fire separations. Roy said the design team had originally allowed $50,000 for a sprinkler/workaround but that the contractor’s actual price came in at just above $200,000. He said the fire marshal also requested a hydrant at the site, which would be an additional expense if the town were to include it now.
Town staff said they briefed the Board of Selectmen and that the first selectman indicated willingness to call a special meeting; staff expect to present a firm supplemental-appropriation figure once final cost-crunching is complete. The board was told a special referendum would likely be held in January or February, with a public hearing beforehand.
Officials also discussed options to limit taxpayer impact: possible donor payback mechanisms, use of the nonprofit’s future operating receipts, and the potential to return unspent contingency to the town if not used. Staff emphasized that some items flagged as drivers of the shortfall — the sprinkler system and hydrant — were not “want to have” extras but elements the town and building officials judged necessary for occupancy and public safety.
Board members asked whether the town’s process for engaging building and fire officials would change; staff said in future town-managed projects the town will meet those officials earlier in the design phase.
The board did not take a formal vote on the SIMPAC supplemental appropriation on Oct. 21; officials said they expect to return to the board with a finalized appropriation request and to seek any necessary recommendation from the Board of Selectmen before moving to a referendum.
What happens next: staff will finish final cost calculations, confirm a recommended supplemental appropriation, and — if needed — the first selectman will call a special meeting to set a public hearing and referendum date. The board was told the likely referendum window is January–February 2026.
