SEYMOUR — A ban on smoking pot in public places, Great Hill Hose Fire Co. gearing up to celebrate its 75th anniversary, and inching toward hiring an economic development director were some of the topics of conversation during last week’s Board of Selectmen meeting.
The selectmen met in person Tuesday (Aug. 3) at Town Hall.
On The Economic Development Director Front:
The selectmen went behind closed doors (allowed under state law) for nearly an hour to discuss the resumes of three candidates in contention for the part-time economic development director job. While First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis said four people applied for the $45,000 a year job, only three of those candidates are being considered. Interviews are expected to take place this month, and Drugonis hopes to hire someone by October.
The last time the town had an Economic Development Director onboard was back in 2017. Fred Messore served the role from 2011 to 2017. A consultant hired through the Connecticut Economic Resource Center, or CERC, was in place from March 2019 to December 2019.
Drugonis and the Selectmen said the town needs a dedicated person in place to help market several properties in town, like the long-vacant Tri-Town Plaza, as well as seek grant money and come up with ways to lure new businesses here. The goal is to ultimately make the position full-time.
Don’t Bogart That Joint In Public
Following the lead of many other towns, including Beacon Falls and Milford, Seymour is considering a ban that would prohibit people from smoking or consuming marijuana in public places.
An ordinance to consider a ban is being proposed through the town’s ordinance subcommittee. The ordinance was prompted by a new state law that legalized recreational marijuana July 1. A draft ordinance could prohibit, in part, smoking, consuming or possession of recreational pot on public and town property, and could also come with a fine for violators, according to Drugonis. The new law enables people age 21 and over to legally possess up to 1.5 ounces of marijuana on their person, and a maximum of five ounces in a locked container in their home or car.
Refund
The Selectmen learned the town must refund a local business, RAF Electronic Hardware, $102,000. The business paid taxes not knowing it was entitled to an exemption under state law.
Celebrating 75 Years Of Service:
The Great Hill Hose Fire Co., founded in Oct. 1947, will mark its 75th anniversary next year, and volunteer firefighters are planning a town-wide block party and formal banquet to commemorate the milestone. Longtime Volunteer and former Fire Marshal and past Captain Paul Wetowitz presented preliminary plans to the Selectmen, who unanimously gave their blessing to the festivities. Wetowitz said the block party will feature a historical retrospective, truck demonstrations, tours of the firehouse, food trucks, a beer and wine garden, kids’ activities and more. It’s slated for Oct. 1, 2022 at the firehouse at 140 Botsford Rd. A formal banquet is being planned for Oct. 22, 2022. Wetowitz said details about both events will be shared with the community over the coming months.
