Sunday, September 5, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
DON'T PEE ON MY LEG AND TELL ME IT'S RAINING ... JUDGE JUDY
Mr. Merullo was the Director of Park and Recreation when this project began as a "Sports Complex" ... and I saw a set of plans Mr. Merullo showed me for the five acres the Town owns on Gillotti Road abutting the High School for a "Sports Complex".
This location at 52A RT 39 is 5.3 acres has been offered to the Town on a different occasion and was refused for a number of reasons all of which were reasonable.
A Public Hearing called for ... perhaps a Town Meeting should be called for to truly access the opinion of the 'entire' town for a change of neighborhood and character of a wet land area.
SOME HISTORY ...
A Special Permit Application 22-09 was filed with the Zoning Commission for a Multi-purpose Recreational Building and Outside Field and Sports Complex. 52A RT 39 LLC, Applicant, Steve Merullo, agent/member. Mr. Merullo is an employee of the Town and at the time was the Director of Park and Recreation. Enough said! The Zoning Commission agreed to hear the Special Permit Application under the old regulations. Ms. Fox then Chairman read regulations 3.1.2A into the record and Mr. Merullo's attorney affirmed that this special permitted application would not be used for any municipal purpose. Further, the commission chairman did not feel the special permitted application would fit into the character of the private residential neighborhood considering it was a commercial facility. After some discussion the commission chairman further expressed her opinion that the special permitted application was not permitted.
WHEN AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED, USE SEMANTICS, CHANGE CHAIRMAN AND RE-APPLY ... A PLOY USED FREQUENTLY ... "THESE ARE NOT TAXES, THEIR REVENUE ENHANCEMENTS ..."
The Original Application Number:22-09, Now up from the ashes as Special Permit 10-13 – 52A Route 39 – Multi Purpose Country Club – 52A Route 39 LLC with Steve Merullo it’s Member/Manager and the same cast of characters.
The "new" Commission Chairman" stipulated that they would hear this "new application" under the old regulations. The attorney reviewed for the commission the 'new' application for a country club describing the hours of operation for inside would be 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. 7 days a week. Outside the hours would be 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., with the lights turned off at 10:00 p.m. There would be 3 basketball courts and an interior track and they expect over 100 cars per day. He also explained there would be different levels of membership available. There is no food permit or restaurant, no lockers, no shower facilities, no meeting room, no low impact facilities for older residents such as a pool, the list goes on.
The "Country Club" was a steel fabricated building, how charming! The attorney further stated they added a tree buffer row addressing some of the issues of the residents at the Birches, notably Mrs. Dianna Peck, John Hodge's secretary. Further it was stated or rather "felt" there would be no affect on an easement from the empty storage facility.
Mr. Moran, the "new" commission chairman asked, "if they had a traffic study done, they had not and he stated they have to do a full study. Mr. Merullo explained the traffic analysis.
IS THE FIX-IN OR PERHAPS ARE THE APPLICANTS DOING LAPS ...
Mr. Moran reviewed the regulations. He asked the ZEO to ask for comments from the Planning Commission re: Plan of Development. Mr. Moran also would like comments from the Board of Selectmen. He would like to ask the Town Attorney if this application for a sports facility would fall
under a “country club”.
MORE PUBLIC COMMENT ... NOT IN MY BACKYARD!!!
Diana Peck, New Fairfield asked Mr. Gallagher to review the proposal. He explained there was a 5.3 acre parcel in R44 zone. Ms. Peck expressed concern over the buffering between the project and The Birches.
Mr. Hugh Billecki submitted a letter and photos outlining his concerns and requested the Commission not approve the proposal for several reasons.
Ms. Karen Hanley, New Fairfield Youth Lacrosse approached the Commission and spoke in favor of the application. She submitted a statement for the record.
Ms. Ellen Moore, 42 Rt. 39 approached the commission objecting to the proposal stating it was denied once it should be denied again.
Mr. Walter Wolyniec spoke against the proposal because it is a dangerous road.
Mr. Greg Bontempo, NF Soccer club spoke in favor of the proposal.
Ms. Linda Fox, 43 Rt. 39 lives across the street from the project. She is concerned about the traffic, lights noise in a residential neighborhood. She asked if the bridge was going to be widened, she felt only one car could safely pass.
Mr. Mike Evans, President NF Soccer explained the 500 participants would benefit with this facility in town.
Mr. Mike Dapolite felt the soccer players could be more competitive if they were able to practice year round.
Mr. Merullo explained this was more than just for basketball, lacrosse and soccer. This would be a multi-sports venue for old and young.
Public Hearing continued to the July 1, 2010 regular meeting and was rescheduled through extension to:
Events for 9/2/2010
This location at 52A RT 39 is 5.3 acres has been offered to the Town on a different occasion and was refused for a number of reasons all of which were reasonable.
A Public Hearing called for ... perhaps a Town Meeting should be called for to truly access the opinion of the 'entire' town for a change of neighborhood and character of a wet land area.
SOME HISTORY ...
A Special Permit Application 22-09 was filed with the Zoning Commission for a Multi-purpose Recreational Building and Outside Field and Sports Complex. 52A RT 39 LLC, Applicant, Steve Merullo, agent/member. Mr. Merullo is an employee of the Town and at the time was the Director of Park and Recreation. Enough said! The Zoning Commission agreed to hear the Special Permit Application under the old regulations. Ms. Fox then Chairman read regulations 3.1.2A into the record and Mr. Merullo's attorney affirmed that this special permitted application would not be used for any municipal purpose. Further, the commission chairman did not feel the special permitted application would fit into the character of the private residential neighborhood considering it was a commercial facility. After some discussion the commission chairman further expressed her opinion that the special permitted application was not permitted.
WHEN AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED, USE SEMANTICS, CHANGE CHAIRMAN AND RE-APPLY ... A PLOY USED FREQUENTLY ... "THESE ARE NOT TAXES, THEIR REVENUE ENHANCEMENTS ..."
The Original Application Number:22-09, Now up from the ashes as Special Permit 10-13 – 52A Route 39 – Multi Purpose Country Club – 52A Route 39 LLC with Steve Merullo it’s Member/Manager and the same cast of characters.
The "new" Commission Chairman" stipulated that they would hear this "new application" under the old regulations. The attorney reviewed for the commission the 'new' application for a country club describing the hours of operation for inside would be 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. 7 days a week. Outside the hours would be 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., with the lights turned off at 10:00 p.m. There would be 3 basketball courts and an interior track and they expect over 100 cars per day. He also explained there would be different levels of membership available. There is no food permit or restaurant, no lockers, no shower facilities, no meeting room, no low impact facilities for older residents such as a pool, the list goes on.
The "Country Club" was a steel fabricated building, how charming! The attorney further stated they added a tree buffer row addressing some of the issues of the residents at the Birches, notably Mrs. Dianna Peck, John Hodge's secretary. Further it was stated or rather "felt" there would be no affect on an easement from the empty storage facility.
Mr. Moran, the "new" commission chairman asked, "if they had a traffic study done, they had not and he stated they have to do a full study. Mr. Merullo explained the traffic analysis.
IS THE FIX-IN OR PERHAPS ARE THE APPLICANTS DOING LAPS ...
Mr. Moran reviewed the regulations. He asked the ZEO to ask for comments from the Planning Commission re: Plan of Development. Mr. Moran also would like comments from the Board of Selectmen. He would like to ask the Town Attorney if this application for a sports facility would fall
under a “country club”.
MORE PUBLIC COMMENT ... NOT IN MY BACKYARD!!!
Diana Peck, New Fairfield asked Mr. Gallagher to review the proposal. He explained there was a 5.3 acre parcel in R44 zone. Ms. Peck expressed concern over the buffering between the project and The Birches.
Mr. Hugh Billecki submitted a letter and photos outlining his concerns and requested the Commission not approve the proposal for several reasons.
Ms. Karen Hanley, New Fairfield Youth Lacrosse approached the Commission and spoke in favor of the application. She submitted a statement for the record.
Ms. Ellen Moore, 42 Rt. 39 approached the commission objecting to the proposal stating it was denied once it should be denied again.
Mr. Walter Wolyniec spoke against the proposal because it is a dangerous road.
Mr. Greg Bontempo, NF Soccer club spoke in favor of the proposal.
Ms. Linda Fox, 43 Rt. 39 lives across the street from the project. She is concerned about the traffic, lights noise in a residential neighborhood. She asked if the bridge was going to be widened, she felt only one car could safely pass.
Mr. Mike Evans, President NF Soccer explained the 500 participants would benefit with this facility in town.
Mr. Mike Dapolite felt the soccer players could be more competitive if they were able to practice year round.
Mr. Merullo explained this was more than just for basketball, lacrosse and soccer. This would be a multi-sports venue for old and young.
Public Hearing continued to the July 1, 2010 regular meeting and was rescheduled through extension to:
Events for 9/2/2010
| Start Time | 7:30 PM |
| End Time | 11:00 PM |
| Title | |
| Zoning Commission Special Meeting | |
| Location | |
| Town Hall Conference Room | |
| Extra Details | |
1. Special Permit 10-23, 11 Sunset Dr. B.H. For an accessory apartment above their existing garage. Section 3.1.2k – Accessory apartments. Edward & Caren Silva, owner/applicant. THE PHOENIX ... COULD IT BE THAT A COUNTRY CLUB HAS AN ALTERNATE PURPOSE? | |
Saturday, August 14, 2010
HOW DID THIS SLIP PAST THE BOARD OF FINANCE?
New Fairfield posts $750,000 budget surplus
New Fairfield posts $750,000 budget surplus
Dirk Perrefort, Staff Writer
Published: 11:34 p.m., Friday, August 13, 2010
- New Fairfield First Selectman John Hodge Photo: Chris Ware / The News-Times | Buy This Photo
NEW FAIRFIELD -- First Selectman John Hodge announced a $750,000 budget surplus during his annual state of the town address this week.
Hodge said during the address, made Thursday night before the Board of Selectmen, that despite a tax decrease approved by the voters last year and the current national economic crisis, the town was still able to post a surplus for the 2009-10 fiscal year.
"As always, none of this could have happened without the hard work and dedication of our town employees and department heads," Hodge said told the board. "They are the true heroes in this success story."
He added that the town has posted surpluses in the past five years, including a more than $1 million surplus last year, and received an upgrade in its bond rating last year to AAA, the highest available. Town finance director Jay Waterman said Friday that the surplus came from several sources, including $88,000 in additional revenue from the town's portion of the real estate conveyance tax, as well as an increase of about $86,000 in tuition from out-of-town children attending New Fairfield schools.
On the expenditure side, Waterman said the town spent $200,000 less than budgeted on the police department because three state troopers were replaced by new troopers with lower salaries.
The town also saved about $80,000 on utility costs, he said, in part by renegotiating the generation rate the town pays for electricity.
Selectman Monika Thiel said the surplus is good news for the town.
"I'm very happy things are going well in the town, and I hope it stays that way," she said.
Thiel added, however, she is concerned about surpluses, since the town is supposed to be operating on a "bare bones" budget.
"It makes me wonder if we aren't maintaining our infrastructure," she said. "I would love to see some of the surplus be used for capital improvements."
Hodge said he hopes to use the surplus to pay part of the cost of upgrades to three bridges along East Lake Brook. New culverts have to be placed under the bridge to handle running rainwater during storms.
"We've established a tradition of reinvesting the surplus in infrastructure," Hodge said, "and I hope to continue that trend."
Contact Dirk Perrefort
or at 203-731-3358.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
FECKLESSNESS IN NEW FAIRFIELD ...
WHEN IS A "SPORTS FACILITY" A "COUNTRY CLUB" OR PERHAPS A "THEATER" ...
ANDERSON'S AMERICAN LAW OF ZONING ...
ANDERSON'S AMERICAN LAW OF ZONING ...
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
WOW, EVERYONE WANTS TO WORK FOR THE PEOPLE ... HOW NOBLE!
CBIA ELECTION CENTRAL ... EDUCATE YOURSELF
Gubernatorial Candidates
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