Letters fly over Trumbul-AFB contract
A war of words over alleged overcharges for renovations at Trumbull High School is escalating into exchanges of attorneys' letters, in which town officials claim AFB Construction Management has been overpaid by hundreds of thousands of dollars.According to copies of letters obtained by Hearst Connecticut Newspapers under the state Freedom of Information Act, lawyers for AFB Construction -- the politically connected firm owned by Al Barbarotta -- have complained that payments on invoices totaling $45,000 for school work performed in June, July and August are being withheld by the Trumbull High School Building Committee."I am informed, and minutes of the Building Committee confirm, that these invoices were unanimously approved for payment at a public meeting," wrote Edward R. Scofield, of the Bridgeport law firm Zeldes, Needle & Cooper, which represents Barbarotta and AFB Construction.
Developer floating reveamped boatyard pact with city
Building and Land Technology could resubmit a controversial license agreement for review to Stamford land use officials within days, resuming an effort to move forward with a plan to build a headquarters for one of the world’s largest hedge funds on Stamford’s west harbor, a lawyer for the Stamford based developer said Monday.“I expect it will be submitted to the Planning Board in the next few days,” John Freeman, general counsel and spokesman for BLT said Tuesday. “At this point, I don’t know when it will appear on their agenda.”At the end of September BLT withdrew a proposed pact with the administration of Mayor Michael Pavia that would have exchanged $5 million in public improvements for development rights to 2.4 acres of land to build a six acre “green” marina facility at 205 Magee Avenue.The developer needs approval of a boatyard plan to begin land use review of its application to build a $750 million, 850,000 square foot headquarters for Bridgewater Associates on the former site of Brewer’s Yacht Haven West on Bateman Way that the developer demolished without zoning board approval in late 2011. Since then the site has been closed by the developer, who has been prohibited by a cease and desist order from proceeding with any site work by a cease and desist order except for environmental site remediation.
Officials celebrate improvement projects at Meriden's City Park
MERIDEN — With construction already underway, by the end of the year City Park should have a skating rink, basketball court, volleyball court and walking paths. On a crisp Tuesday morning, elected officials and community members gathered under the trees at the Bunker Avenue park to celebrate the changes with a groundbreaking ceremony. With leaves rustling under their feet, officials talked about the long process to develop plans and find funding for park improvements. Mayor Michael S. Rohde led the celebration. “This is a great community park,” Rohde said, mentioning that many people present had grown up with the park and remember when there was much more available. It once had a fountain and pond, a bandshell, a pavilion and other courts for recreation. Due to fires, flooding, vandalism and construction of Interstate 691, the park offered less and less as its size was reduced. “We’re bringing it back,” Rohde said. “We’re making it happen. It’s a great spot for neighbors to join together.”State Sen. Dante Bartolomeo asked the crowd if anyone remembered when the conversations about City Park started. With no one piping up, Bartolomeo said it was September 2009. Members of the City Park and Brookside Park Neighborhood Association got involved as well as the Mount Hebron Baptist Church.
Danielson mill plan moves forward
DANIELSON - A Killingly commission this week gave its approval for the construction of 32 mixed-use apartments inside a vacant Danielson mill. The Planning & Zoning Commission on Monday approved an application from The Women's Institute for Affordable Housing and United Services, Inc. aimed at demolishing the bulk of the dilapidated Powdrell & Alexander Mill at 42 Maple St. The 145-year-old structure was sold a group of New York investors more than three years ago, though no work has since been done at the property. Uncollected back taxes and the cost of maintaining the structure's integrity — at the town's expense — have built-up since the sale.As of today, the owners have racked up roughly $43,000 in town and borough back taxes. In addition, they are liable for fencing and demolition costs the town incurred while attempting to keep the property safe — according to state law, the town is responsible for ensuring the mill does not pose a public safety hazard.
Foreclosure sale imminent for Plainfield Biomass
The Virginia financer of a 37.5 megawatt Plainfield biomass power plant has agreed to buy the facility out of foreclosure, after the original New Jersey-based owner failed to finish construction.
Leidos Holdings of Virginia announced its agreement with New Jersey-based Enova Energy Group for a consensual foreclosure where Leidos will assume ownership of the plant by the end of the year, pending government approvals.Leidos was a secure lender on the project along with Science Applications Corp. and Carlyle Energy Mezzanine Opportunities Group, providing the financing necessary for the $225 million construction.
Windsor approves Amazon tax abatements
WINDSOR —The town council voted 8-1 to provide online retailer Amazon with a 60 percent tax abatement over five years and a 50 percent reduction in building permit fees for its proposed $50 million, 1.5 million-square-foot facility on Day Hill Road.The abatement package and fee reduction, adopted late Monday, will save the company about $3.9 million over five years, while the town will receive about $6.2 million in taxes and permit fees.The vote ends a three-month saga of about whether Amazon would come to town. The company and the town traded proposals for tax abatement packages. One elected official advocated that the town require companies getting tax abatements to hire local workers for construction and permanent distribution center jobs and pay them above-average wages."I think a lot of the energy expended can now be redirected towards Amazon's commitment to local hiring, and now we can focus on more pressing issues," Mayor Donald Trinks said Tuesday.
Groundbreaking for senior community
On Tuesday, Oct. 29th, LCB Senior Living, LLC will hold a groundbreaking for its new Independent, Assisted and Memory Care residence for seniors located at 200 Deming Street in South Windsor. The ceremony will celebrate this project, which will create more than 70 permanent jobs ($1.8m annual payroll), more than 50 construction jobs, and will be one of the largest employers in the area.
The Residence at South Windsor Farms will include 80 apartments, and a host of amenities for residents.Ground breaking will take place Tuesday, Oct. 29th at 11 a.m. at 200 Deming Street, South Windsor. Scheduled speakers are State Senator Gary LeBeau, State Representative Bill Amen, Mayor Thomas Delnicki, Chamber of Commerce President Julie Lapp.