Milford's Al Dente Gets A Parking Deal

The Planning and Zoning Board has approved a “shared parking” proposal in Devon, which will allow Al Dente’s Restaurant the use of five municipal spaces in a lot the eatery’s owners sold to the Devon Revitalization Committee earlier this year.

Mayor James L. Richetelli Jr. said the lease agreement between the city and Joseph Arcudi, Christina D’Archangelo and Daniel Bagley, the owners of Al Dente, was needed to ensure the eatery was still in compliance with city parking requirements.

Earlier this year, the Devon Revitalization Commission purchased a lot at 120 Bridgeport Ave. from the restaurant owners in an effort to create much-needed parking opportunities downtown. The committee paid $160,000 in state money for the land, which was expected to provide 12 new spaces.

Richetelli said as part of the continuing streetscape improvements in Devon, especially along Naugatuck Avenue, the city needed an easement through Al Dente’s, and the restaurant ended up losing five spaces. As a result, the city agreed to lease the restaurant five of the newly created municipal spaces.

“It will be a non-exclusive use. If someone wants to park and go somewhere else, they can,” Richetelli said. “It’s very common downtown, the idea of shared parking.”

Richetelli said the municipal lot now is serving as a staging area for the streetscape upgrades along Naugatuck Avenue. He said the lot has been re-engineered and will accommodate 17 vehicles, instead of 12. Riche�telli said he hopes the lot will be available for public use in the fall.

The zoning board voted unanimously to approve the lease agreement.

PZB Vice Chairwoman Kim Rose, D-3, said she did not vote because she was acting as the board’s chairman for the evening, but she personally does not believe in shared parking.

“I know that’s not popular,” Rose said.

Rose said sacrificing five municipal spots would adversely affect nearby businesses. But PZB member Kevin Liddy, R-4, said he thinks the deal “shows the city works well with private enterprise for a win-win situation.”

ORIGINAL BRIAN MCREADY POST

Milford's Boardwalk Project Suspended Indefinitely

The long-delayed boardwalk to connect Silver Sands State Park and Walnut Beach has been indefinitely suspended, state officials said Monday.

About $1.5 million for the roughly $2 million project had been approved by the state Bond Commission, according to city officials.

But the work never made it past the planning stage before being suspended by the state departments of Environmental Protection and Public Works in the latest round of cost-saving measures.

At this point, due to budgetary constraints on the two agencies, work on the proposed boardwalk has been indefinitely suspended,” DEP spokesman Dennis Schain said in an e-mail message.

The news was a shock to city officials Monday, who were last told construction would occur in autumn.

“This really comes as a surprise,” said Mayor James L. Richetelli Jr. “They gave us no clue that they were considering this. I have not heard anything more since months ago, when it was a go.”

The project has been mired in years of delays with repeated announcements that funding had been secured and work was about to begin, only to have a projected start date pushed back.

About a year ago, the project was delayed when piping plovers were found nesting where the boardwalk was proposed to be built.

Plans were altered to avoid the federally and state protected species of birds, but in the meantime the economy turned sour and the plans for the boardwalk were put on hold by the DPW and DEP.

“Money was approved for this project, but before any action was taken with regards with the funds that were allocated, a decision has been made to suspend the project,” said Kevin Kopetz, managing attorney for the DPW.

“We began, unfortunately, to experience the economic circumstance that everyone is aware of.”

The latest news was frustrating to Walnut Beach Association President Joe Garbus, who has long worked to revitalize the Walnut Beach area.

The boardwalk was expected to draw foot traffic to Walnut Beach to breathe new life into the businesses in the area.

“It’s extremely disappointing,” he said. “They made a plan, made a second plan for the piping plovers and each time we were told the money was in hand. It was OK then, but we wait a year and now we can’t continue with the project? I don’t think it’s fair.”

Kopetz said there is a chance the project will be revisited if the state’s fiscal situation improves.

By James Tinley, Register Staff

ORIGINAL STORY POSTED HERE

"Czar's" in Milford Are a Communist Concept

This is no joke, I picked up the Connecticut post today and there it was talk of a "Blight Czar." The first thing I thought of was the record number "Czars" that are now embedded into the Obama administration.

Just so we are clear here the word Czar means a Communist Russian "Emperor or King." Americas longest serving Democratic Congressman Rep. Byrd wrote a letter to Pres. Obama concerned that the record 18 czars in his administration represent a hazard that "can threaten the Constitutional system of checks and balances."

We do not need to start that outrageous practice here in Milford. The thought of letting future Mayors appoint PAID Czars outside the confirmation of the board of alderman, or without the consent of the governed, are far outside the principles of our Democratic Republic. Personally I heard these blight complaints about a year ago when I was out and about campaigning in the 118th district, some are reasonable and valid, others are mean spirited and an act of revenge against a neighbor. I also met people who were concerned with blighted commercial properties and wanted something done to improve them. I suppose with much heavy industry and commercial property in trouble, some ideas are ready to be put on the table.

What remains unclear to me is what exactly constitutes a "blighted property." If the definition extends to people who forgo home repairs in lieu of having a place to live, or a widow whose husband is no longer living to make home repairs, than no thanks on pursuing this idea.

However, if this idea is directed at abandoned properties and properties that pose a danger (such as a fire, structural, or intrusion hazard) that can harm others, than I agree. Certainly our town has a zoning and planning board, zoning enforcement board, and an office of Community and Economic Development. Milford also has a the additional Devon Revitalization Committee and as well as several other venues not mentioned to improve the look of our community.

The thought of appointing a Plight "Emperor or King" is funny and yet repulsive. Perhaps Milford's elected officials should focus on applying local laws without the imposition of tyrannical Communist Style "Czars." If you are wondering what a Communist "Czar" looks like see the above photo. (Save the bulldozer)

Devon Revitalization Construction Expects Delays

MILFORD — State funding cuts in the Devon Revitalization project will delay Phase 4 of streetscape construction, but the project’s committee “understands the situation,” said the city’s director of community development.

“When you see the dire straits the state is in, you can certainly understand that there are going to be cuts,” Robert Gregory said. “I think the committee is optimistic that, in the future, more money is coming.”

Project money was cut last month when Gov. M. Jodi Rell reduced the state’s budget and eliminated funding from initiatives across the state.

Adam Liegeot, a spokesman for the governor, said Rell felt it was necessary to cut funding to avoid increasing the state’s debt.

“Governor Rell feels that many of these proposed bond projects are worthy ones,” he said. “Just like families across the state, state government must make do with less.”

The loss will not affect current work being done for Phase 3 of the Devon Revitalization project, or installation of a new sewer pipe and construction of a small parking lot on Bridgeport Avenue, Gregory said.

Bridgeport contractor G. Pic & Sons is beginning work this month on sidewalks on Bridgeport Avenue between Kerema and Naugatuck avenues as part of Phase 3, he added. The firm already completed work on sidewalks lining Naugatuck Avenue as part of the project.

“It will be streetscape work and carrying out the same theme as we did on Naugatuck Avenue with brick sidewalks with diamond patterns, streetlights, benches, plantings, trees, and a bike rack,” he said of the project’s latest development.

Had the fourth phase of the project received state funding, the street work would have continued up Bridgeport Avenue to Doyle Funeral Home.

Phase 4 of the project probably will not see state money coming this fiscal year, Gregory said. The state had already granted earlier work $4.7 million, and any left over from current streetscape work will be used to continue the project.

“I don’t think (funding cuts) will have a major impact. The things that have been done so far were the entrance way with the clock and a new park, and the sidewalk and street lights will be really impressive once they’re done,” Gregory said. “It would be nice to have, but in this day and age, we can understand.”

Despite funding cuts to the streetscape project, Gregory said the Devon Revitalization Committee decided recently to purchase land for $160,000 in state funds at 120 Bridgeport Ave. to build a 12-space parking lot. A study two years ago determined more parking was needed. The lot will be free and available to anyone visiting Devon. It is located near Al Dente Italian Restaurant.

The Planning and Zoning Commission approved the work, and the committee will present it to the Board of Alderman next month.

The city also will begin design work for a larger sewer pipe and additional catch basins to be installed on Bridgeport Avenue. A study conducted last year emphasized the need for drainage improvements, Gregory said.

The city might be able to use federal stimulus money to fund the work and aldermen already authorized $800,000 in bond money.

“The drainage problem has been escalating over the years; it’s gotten really bad,” Gregory said. “Once they hire a firm to do design work, then the Milford part of it could begin this year if everything goes right.”

By Susan D Click HERE

CLICK HERE for Minutes From Last Committee Meeting

Flooding In Devon Angers Residents

The Corner of Bridgeport Ave.and Naugatuck Ave. is a pretty wet spot in town. Residents in that area have been coming forward and complaining that their basements are flooding during periods of heavy rain.

The Devon Revitalization committee is taking the heat. Mayor Richetelli and Jim Amann the two most notable committee members have been put on the hot seat. Local residents have stated that the aesthetic improvements have not done much to improve the quality of life of those residents who are affected by the flood rains.

Our state and local leaders assured us flooding action this week. Both Amann and Richetelli indicated that they are aware of the flooding problems and blamed the areas pipes as being old. Richetelli said that these pipes carry away the rain water intended for a 1930's Milford and were not designed for today's neighborhoods. Richetelli also said the city has money for improvements on one street Naugatuck Ave., but the other street Bridgeport ave. is the responsibility of the state. Richetelli said it makes more sense to do both projects at the same time and will be waiting for the state funding before commiting to any work.

Amann on the other hand took to defending the Devon revitalization committee and said that the complainers should have done so prior to the rain problems. Amann said that during his entire tenure as a state rep. he had no idea that flooding was an issue with anyone in Devon.

As it stands this contention between our city and state leaders will experience continued pressure as they are confronted with more angry flood victims after each torrential downpour. Both leaders agree that urgent action is needed and have agreed to put this project on the fast track but not until the state delivers on their end.

The state may also slow down this project with a pre-construction engineering study aimed at figuring out exactly how to abate the flooding waters.

Anyone who wishes to address this problem should direct their concerns to the Milford Flooding and Erosion Control Board.

Devon Day Vs. Devon Revitalization Committee

Some time ago I created a post that was communicated to me as ambiguous and even was told that it did not accurately discern the difference between Devon Day, the community event, and the Devon Revitilazation Commiittee, the elected officials and influencial citizens spending the state grant money.

This post today came about in the final days of working the campaign trail, in the perils of meeting folks out in Devon I had the opportunity of speaking with a member of the Devon Day board. Needless to say she was upset with one of my posts, she felt that because Nanci Seltzer who is associated with Devon Day and is now running for state Representative has put the work and mission of the community event under fire.

First I would like to restate what I menioned in the earlier article that I wrote, that is I support not only Devon Day but any community event that brings people together in a good way. There is nothing more important to me than people and events that build community pride and help their less fortunate neighbors improve their community.

This means helping the seniors keep their yards in order, picking up trash on your street, leaving a garbage can in a park if the city has not. Doing things to show we care about the places in which we live, and keeping clean the place where kids play. This all starts in your own piece of milford, your yard.

My issues with Devon are not with the unrelated Devon Day, but the Devon Revitalization Committee who, in the past, and in my opinion has made some bad decisions with the use of the grant money they recieved. I.E. building a park on a bridge, and then putting an 80,000 clock there that now is broken.