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Residents urge transparency, accessibility and voting participation during Simsbury Selectmen public comments
Summary
Multiple residents at the May 11 meeting urged greater transparency in town processes, flagged accessibility concerns at Eno Memorial Hall, stressed the importance of the upcoming budget vote, and one speaker asked the board to consider a no‑confidence vote in the First Selectman.
Several residents used public audience time at the Board of Selectmen meeting on May 11 to raise concerns about local government transparency, accessibility and upcoming votes.
Joan Coe of 26 Whitcomb Drive alleged preferential treatment in how public comments are handled, recounted a hallway confrontation she described as the Deputy First Selectman yelling at her and said she was repeatedly "gavelled" while others were not. She asked the board to vote no confidence in the First Selectman and call for his resignation, and said the Town Manager and Town Attorney would produce a detailed list describing the Deputy First Selectman's activities.
Charter Revision Commission Chair Kris Barnett (15 Oxford Drive) encouraged the board to adopt a practice like the Commission's — placing public comments in minutes and making them available — to increase transparency and public accountability. "Public audience allows direct input on policies and promotes transparency and accountability," Barnett said.
Diane Nash urged residents to participate in the upcoming budget vote at Town Hall, noting the Board of Selectmen's budget groups certain expenses (recreation and library) together, which she said made up 11% of the budget. Ellen Gilbert urged the board to revisit accessibility at Eno Memorial Hall, noting limited handicapped parking and an awkward ramp; Selectwoman Diana Yeisley said funding shortfalls required moving accessibility work to the south side because the north ramp was not properly graded and posed a hazard.
Other commenters highlighted Bike Month activities and trail safety, including an adopt‑a‑mile trail program and a local ride‑to‑work event. The board recorded the comments and did not take formal action on the allegations presented during public audience.
