Simsbury sustainability committee finalizes plans for May 2 fair, schedules EV talk April 27

The Simsbury Sustainability Committee on April 1 finalized plans for its third annual Sustainability Fair, set for May 2 at the library, and asked members and town staff to help publicize and staff the event.

Committee members agreed they have permission to place temporary lawn signs at the town’s seven schools; land-use specialist Ryan Zimniki approved a temporary sign permit. Members mapped who holds existing signs and arranged stickers to update the date. The committee said signs may go up starting Monday, April 13; the exact removal date was not specified at the meeting.

The fair, co-hosted with the library and schools, will run with vendors, family activities and live animals; organizers said previous fairs drew about 1,100 attendees and they are aiming to match that turnout. Committee volunteers asked members to sign up for shifts to staff the sustainability booth on May 2 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Separately, the committee previewed an electric vehicle event scheduled for April 27 at 7 p.m. Mark said the keynote speaker will be Barry Kresh, president of the Electric Vehicle Club of Connecticut, and the program will include a panel with town public works’ Tom Roy and local market commentator Steve Mitchell. Mark said Jamie will moderate and asked Sean and town communications to help publicize the forum.

The committee also discussed promotional materials: Sean said he would rework a three-month social-media plan into a shorter campaign focused on the fair and resend materials to Chris and town staff for coordination.

Organizers urged residents to check the town and library event pages for updates and to contact the committee if they can volunteer or assist with publicity.

The committee adjourned after the public discussion and routine business.