Wiacek - bus lot CtPost article 2

I was at the BOA monthly mtg last night where residents of Summerfield spoke again with concern over actions by the City on a parcel near their neighborhood. Some background.

Wiacek is a property that was acquired by the City via eminent domain process. Please read my earlier blog comments here and here. The City had long valued the property for municipal purposes. The City targeted the property for acquisition and attempted negotiation with the owners. The City could not come to agreement and pursued eminent domain proceedings. The City paid a value to the court based on proffessional appraisals of the property taken. The court determined the City was in the right to take the eminent domain course of action. The court determined that extra value was needed as compensation to the previous owners based on comparison of competing appraisals and the court's knowledge and understanding. I only re-iterate this because public comments were again bringing up these issues.

The parcel was highlited as part of a presentation from the CC to the BOA on 2004/Jan/7. The CC spoke of potential for multiple municipal uses for the parcel.

An article last month discussed this issue. Please read my blog entry on that article as it contains links to online video of speakers at the BOA mtg, and links to mtgs where decisions were made regarding the parcel's purchase.

The CtPost article this morning covers last nights speakers on the bus parking issues. I encourage readers to go to the CtPost article as they are the content creator of the article and have methods for readers to comment on their articles within their website. I cut/paste with my comments under right of fair-use for public education as Chairman of the Conservation Commission.

http://www.connpost.com/ci_11900741

Neighbors oppose Shelton bus lot idea
By Kate RamunniStaff Writer

SHELTON -- For the second month in a row, residents of the Summerfield Gardens condominiums turned out for the Board of Aldermen's monthly meeting Thursday, and vowed to be there every month until they get assurances from the board that the school bus parking lot won't be moved next to their homes.

"I want you all to go down to where the buses are parked now on Riverdale Avenue and see what it looks like," Summerfield Garden Association president Diane Alterio told the board, "and then drive in our neighborhood and along Independence Drive. "I'm sure all of you sitting up there live in very nice homes," she said, "and if this were happening in your neighborhood, tell me you wouldn't be standing here in my place."

"This" is the prospect of the school bus lot moving to city-owned property off Meadow Street, the site of the former Wiacek Farm. Mayor Mark A. Lauretti has said that, if needed, the school buses could be parked there, though there are no immediate plans for that. Lauretti did not attend Thursday's aldermen meeting.

++ Speaking from my experience as CC chair and managing co-ordination of trails construction on City Open Space, any project (private or public) must go thru a process to be approved. If there is sub-surface disturbance there must be a call made to CBYD (call before you dig) which alerts all utilities and requires they locate and mark their infrastructure. If there is any depositing of materials, or disturbance to an area of wetlands or setback area to the wetlands, an application must be made to the IWC. If there is any change of use, an application must occur with the PZC. My understanding is that a CBYD call was made for this location. ++

The city took the 40-acre Wiacek Farm property by eminent domain several years ago, paying $2.5 million for the property. But a Superior Court judge has determined the fair market value was almost $1 million more than that, raising the price to about $3.5 million.

"Are you willing to pay $3.5 million for that and move the buses there?" Alterio asked. "I want to know if you are willing to do that." "We will be here every month until you assure us you will vote no to relocating the buses," she said.

++ Any activity from the City should have applications to agencies seeking approvals. The CBYD markings indicate that some activity is planned on taking place. I have not seen nor heard of any applications however. ++

Resident Pat Fazio said the property should be made into a city park since it was purchased for open space. The Wiacek family's farming tradition should be showcased, she said, and displays could highlight the wildlife that inhabits the spot. It could be a popular destination for school trips and scouting projects, she said.

++ Please refer to the CC presentation regarding possible municipal needs that could be satisfied in use of the property ++