Seymour Selectmen on Tuesday approved a two-year tax break for a recent expansion at a local business.
Silvermine Road-based Basement Systems recently built a new storage garage at its headquarters.
The 9,000-square-foot building was finished in early August, according to the company, and cost about $600,000 to build.
It would generate about $5,700 in new property tax income to the town annually, according to First Selectman Kurt Miller.
At their regular meeting Tuesday night, Selectmen voted unanimously to grant the company a two-year abatement for 75 percent of those taxes, or $4,275 per year. The town also waived its permit fees for the new building.
“I think it only makes sense,” said board member Karen Stanek. “They’ve invested in the town. I think we should reward them.”
Economic Development Director Fred Messore said the company was mindful of neighboring property owners, and used higher grade construction materials.
“I think they went over and above just creating a building,” he said.
Basement Systems will be the second company to take part in the town’s expanded tax incentive program, which was approved last March.
In June, Thule, an international company known for its roof racks and bike carriers, announced a $1.6 million renovation of its Seymour headquarters to make room for 30 new employees.
Miller estimated Thule will save $45,000 in taxes over the next two years as part of the program.
The First Selectman hinted Wednesday that more good news could be on the way.
“We have a lot of people that are interested in Seymour,” Miller said, adding that two companies in particular are “doing some substantial due diligence” to determine whether to come to town.
“I’m not, at this point, at liberty to say who they are and where they are yet,” Miller said.
Blight Officer
Also Tuesday, selectmen discussed briefly the process of hiring a new blight enforcement officer.
The town used to have two blight enforcement officers but those positions were axed during the 2009 – 2010 budget process.
Residents can still fill out blight complaints online.
“They’re currently being done by our zoning enforcement officer, when time permits,” Miller said. “And that’s the problem.”
The town has $5,000 budgeted this year for one part-time blight officer.
About 30 applications came in, so Miller is winnowing them down to a handful of top candidates. He’ll then send those resumes to Selectmen for them to recommend a top candidate or candidates from among the pool.
Depending on how many candidates Selectmen want to interview, Miller said they can either schedule a special meeting or hold a brief executive session at their regular meeting next month to settle on a candidate.
“Once we bring the new blight enforcement officer on, at that point we’re going to revisit the blight ordinance,” he added.
Human Resources Manager
As of Oct. 1 the town will have its first human resources manager.
Michele Wasikowski, who is also an HR consultant for Verizon Wireless, will start work Oct. 1, according to Miller.
Wasikowski will work part-time in Seymout Town Hall for 16 to 19.5 hours per week, Miller said, at an hourly rate of $39.45. The position does not include benefits.
The First Selectman has made revamping the town’s human resources a priority since being elected last year.
In February, consultants from a local company who performed a human resources audit brought up a number of shortcomings to selectmen.
Wasikowski will report directly to Miller.
To see a video of the meeting recorded by Frank Loda, a private citizen, click here. The tax incentive discussion begins around the one-hour mark and the blight officer discussion begins around the 44-minute mark. Miller mentions Wasikowski’s hiring during his comments at the beginning of the meeting.
