The interior of Lina’s Touch Art Studio, located at 5 Bank St. in Seymour. F
SEYMOUR — There’s lots of things happening around town, including several new businesses opening, a plan to bring a new economic development director onboard and creation of a somewhat “shady” new commission.
Those things and more topped the Board of Selectmen’s meeting on Tuesday (April 20). Here’s a recap of what went down:
Biz Briefs
First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis was happy to report on two new businesses opening downtown, as well as a popular ice cream place re-opening under new management.
Whittemore Ice Cream, located at 114 S. Main St., will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark their re-opening with new owners, Todd and Gina Haversat of Seymour, at 9 a.m. April 23. The historic building built in the mid-1700s formerly housed Whittemore Tavern. The site is predominantly known as the place where a famous robbery was planned by a British officer in 1780 to rob the home of Capt. Ebeneezer Dayton, an American patriot. Nowadays, the tavern is the place to go for delicious, hand-churned hard and soft ice cream.
Another ribbon cutting is set for 11 a.m. May 8 to welcome Lina’s Touch Art Studio, located at 5 Bank St. The studio is launching “paint and sip” events, where participants can create beautiful works of art while sipping on their favorite beverage.
And at 1 p.m. May 14, Drugonis, along with other Valley dignitaries, will help cut the ribbon at the newly expanded The Glass Source Stained Glass Studio & Gallery, now located in the former Wildflour Creations Bakery space at 18 Bank St. The expanded space will allow for more classes, as well as larger gallery/studio space and gift shop. The business specializes in restoration and preservation of stained and leaded glass. Some of their notable projects include many of the stained glass windows at Yale University.
Throwing Shade
Believe it or not, the town now has its very own Shade Tree Commission. Why, you ask, would such a commission be needed? Well, the town’s Code of Ordinances allows for it, for one, according to town attorney Richard Buturla. And second, if the town’s tree warden makes an unpopular decision regarding tree removal, for example, this commission is the place to go to appeal it. Selectmen Pat Lombardi, Rob VanEgghen and Bob Findley were appointed members. Drugonis said they will assist town Tree Warden Sean Strumello with a host of tree-related matters, like making recommendations for diseased tree removal, where to plant new trees and compiling a list of tree species appropriate for Seymour. The commission’s function is described in the town’s Code of Ordinances in Section 8 – 123 ARTICLE VII. – TREES. Google it. I dare you.
Administratively Speaking
The Selectmen approved hiring Steven J. Perry, a 2020 graduate of the University of Connecticut, as Drugonis’ new administrative assistant. The position was recently vacated by Malia McCool, who was on the job for the last two years. Perry, who interned for New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart and serves as WPCA Commissioner for the Town of Burlington, will earn an annual salary of $39,000.
Chief of Staff Rory Burke initially requested Perry be hired at a higher step of the salary scale at $43,000 due to the “great amount of experience he brings,” but the selectmen agreed by doing so that would set a precedent with union and collective bargaining issues, since it’s not been done before with any new town employee hires.
On the Economic Development Front
The selectmen voted to move forward with hiring a long-awaited new Economic Development Director. They directed Human Resources to post the position, seeking a part-time person (for the time-being) at a salary of $45,000.
“I know we’re waiting for COVID to go away, but we have to move on this,” Drugonis told the Selectmen. “We have a job description, we have the money in the budget, and we have to do something to move Seymour forward.”
Seymour has been without a full-time person since 2017, when former director Fred Messore. A consultant through the Connecticut Economic Resource Center handled the duties on a part-time basis from March to December 2019, when CERC no longer offered the service to municipalities.
Selectman Chris Bowen is hopeful the position can ultimately become full-time.
“I’ve been pushing for a full-time director for three years,” Bowen said. “For the betterment of the town and for the betterment of the biz community, a full-time person is a requirement.”
Something Fresh is Cropping Up
The popular Seymour Farmers’ Market will make its seasonal return at noon May 11 at the Seymour Community Center parking lot, 20 Pine St. Gazy Brothers of Oxford will again bring the freshest fruits, veggies, baked goods and more to the site every Tuesday from noon to 6 p.m. through Nov. 23.
