Connecticut Postings

A controversial recycling facility at 990 Naugatuck Avenue has received the tentative approval of the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to expand operations, but city officials will file a formal appeal tomorrow.

“We have 30 days from (Friday) to respond and we are also collecting signatures on a petition to have the DEEP hold a public hearing in Milford,” Mayor Ben Blake said. “This will be our first opportunity to voice our objections and to have input into this. There are several aspects of the application that make no sense.”

For one thing, Blake said, the application by Recycling Inc. does not specify how the materials will be brought to the facility or where they will be shipped after processing.

Neighbors say they fear that trucks going over the narrow, winding road leading to the facility will cause accidents and noise.

Darlene Chapdelaine, owner of Recycling Inc., has said that her facility operates in accordance with all state and federal laws.

The business has not accepted materials while the city’s court challenge to its initial approval is heard. Attorney Matt Woods argued in that appeal that Milford’s land use laws must also be complied with, and that the project does not meet local zoning regulations.

BRIDGEPORT — When they arrived at the City Council meeting Monday, Harding High seniors Denepha Edmondson and Priscilla Gator had no idea their campaign to raise funds for a senior banquet would be kicked off right then and there.
In fact, Ronald Dougiello, the man behind the surprise donation, didn’t even know the girls were raising money for food and decorations for the senior event they plan to have in their school gym.
Dougiello was at the meeting to receive a citation in honor of his late father, Charles Dougiello. The elder Dougiello — who according to his obituary was the youngest embalmer in the state — was a Bridgeport native and life-long resident. He established several funeral homes in the city and throughout the years served on both the fire and police commissions.
But when Ronald heard about the teenagers’ fundraiser, he shocked everyone by pulling out $500 and offering the gift in honor of his father as a start to their efforts.
The girls didn’t leave with cash in hand, though. Mayor Bill Finch gave the money to the Interim Director of Finance Dawn Norton to be logged as an official donation.

DERBY — Xpect Discounts will be laying off 58 employees, beginning around April 7, when it closes down it Pershing Drive operation ahead of a redevelopment project at the site.

In a notice filed with the State Labor Department, Kevin Yaugher, president and chief operating officer of Ohio-based Marc Glassman Inc., Xpect’s parent company, said layoffs would commence on April 7 or within 14 days after that date.

“Based upon economic forces, Marc Glassman Inc. was not able to renew its lease for the Xpect Derby location,” the company said in an email.

Its five other Connecticut stores are not affected, the company said.

Xpect’s Derby store is in the Red Raider Plaza, where a planned redevelopment could bring in a Walgreens Pharmacy and soften the blow to the community from job losses.

Mayor Anthony Staffieri said the jobs generated by Walgreens or other businesses moving in to the newly-renovated plaza would offset the lost Xpect jobs. “Hopefully the new store would hire some of those laid off,” he said.

“Yes, we are hoping those laid off will be absorbed into the new Walgreens,” said Sheila O’Malley, director of economic and community development, who added she was aware the layoffs were coming. “We never want to see anyone lose their job.”

According to Xpect’s mass layoff notice, 24 of the workers are cashiers and 19 work to keep the store stocked, while six supervisors will also be laid off.

Another food store could move in to the vacant space. “Most likely something like and Aldi’s,” the mayor said.

“Derby is a unique little city,” O’Malley added. “When one business closes another one opens.”

The redevelopment plan also calls for the demolition of a majority of the existing structures at the plaza.

This includes tearing down a portion of the Xpect building to make room for new storefronts where existing plaza stores — including Suds Laundromat, Crown Fried Chicken and N&S Smoke Junction — would be relocated. “That’s our understanding,” said Steven Jalowiec, Planning & Zoning member.

The new Walgreens store, which would be located at the corner of Pershing Drive and Division Street, would be about 14,500 square feet and would have a drive-thru window for prescriptions. Walgreens has 91 stores in Connecticut. The company did not immediately return inquiries.

Staffieri said construction of the store could begin as early as summer. “It’s just how fast Walgreens wants to move in,” he said.

But Jalowiec noted the proposal has yet to receive any city approvals or permits.

“We are just now having public hearings on it,” he said. The next hearing is planned for Feb. 21, he said, adding he encouraged residents to come and express their views on the entire proposal.

The hiker injured in a fall Sunday at Sleeping Giant State Park in Hamden has died, according to a press release today from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Tobias Engel, 18, of Douglas Drive, Hamden, was pronounced dead at Yale New Haven Hospital Sunday night.

 DERBY –The city is proposing improvements on the Derby/Milford Road at the Route 34 intersection.

The project is in the conceptual stage and may be recommended for construction under the Surface Transportation Program administered by the state Department of Transportation.

An informational meeting on the proposal will take place Feb. 16 at 5:30 p.m. in the Aldermanic Chambers in City Hall on Elizabeth Street. Based on preliminary assessment, the construction cost will be approximatelly $1.63 million.

It’s anticipated that the Federal Highway Administration will provide 80 percent of the cost, the state 10 percent and the city 10 percent for all phases of the project.

More information on the project can be obtained by calling the Valley Council of Governments office at 203-735-8688.

SHELTON — The annual “Valley Has a Heart” food collection will take place Feb. 11 at three Stop & Shop stores.

The event will help Spooner House restock its shelves with enough non-perishable foods to last at least two months.

The collections will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the following Stop & Shop locations: 100 Division St., Ansonia; 15 Franklin St., Seymour; and 898 Bridgeport Ave, Shelton.

Food donations will also be accepted at Spooner House, 30 Todd Road, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Donations can also be dropped off at Christ Episcopal Church, 56 Cliff St., Ansonia, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Volunteers are still needed for the food drives at each location to collect and organize the food. Call Tony Vellucci at 203-225-0453 to volunteer.

Food items needed include soups, juices, tuna, canned fruits, peanut butter, jelly, rice, crackers, snack items, coffee and tea.

Spooner House provides food, shelter and support services to approximately 200 men, women and children each year.

The Valley Food Bank, run by Spooner House, provides a week’s supply of groceries each month to participating families throughout the Valley.

In 2011, the food bank program provided more than 137,000 meals, a third of them for children.

Spooner House is operated by Area Congregations Together, Inc., a non-profit agency which was formed in 1979 to help fill gaps in the Valley’s social service network.

BRIDGEPORT — Primary petitions have been submitted in three districts for seats on the city’s Democratic Town Committee, which chooses the party’s candidates for municipal office.
Petitions were submitted in the 130th, 131st and 137th district for a spot on the 90-member panel. Although candidates run together on slates — 4 or more candidates are required to qualify as a slate –the 9 individuals with the most votes in each district win the election, regardless of slate.
The DTC is made up of 9 individuals from each of the city’s 10 council districts, most local politicians, city employees or relatives of these. The DTC, led by chairman Mario Testa, are often referred to as the “Democratic machine” because of a perceived — and often proven — tight hold on all things pertaining to Bridgeport elections and government.

Those vying for the 130th slots are:
Daniel Roach; John F. McCarthy; Patrick C. Crossin; Michael S. Meehan; Thomas A. Mulligan; Maria M. Agueda; JoAnn Manzo; Hector A. Diaz; John P. Bohannon Jr.
VERSUS
Frank Iovino; Mark C. Adintori; Mitchell Edwards; David N. Moore; James T. Fox; Joel Gonzalez; Robert Foley.

Those vying for the 131st slots are:
Mitchell Robles; Jose Negron; Jack Banta; Paul Boucher; Denese Taylor-Moye; Leticia Colon; Americo Santiago; Ashley Wacker; Milagrosa Seguinot.
VERSUS
Rafael A. Mojica; Glenn I. Pettway; Eric M. Simmons; Christopher Foreman; Charritin Escalera; Mario Arango; George Albert Gholson; Mark I. Bush; Rhonda D. Bush.

Those vying for the 137th slots are:
Lydia N. Martinez; Jacqueline M. Richardson; Maria Andino; Rosa J. Beltran; Joel Rosario; Madonna Barnum; Maria A. Rivera; Vidal Agosto; Janet C. Walker.
VERSUS
Juan Hernandez; Gilberto P. Hernandez; Dimas Couto; Alberto “Tito” Ayala; Maria Ines Valle; Aidee I. Nieves; Ruben Lebron Jr.; Alicea L. Preston; Ronald Reed.

DERBY — Police are looking for the suspect in an armed robbery early Wednesday at Tim’s Food Mart on Seymour Avenue.

The suspect, who was armed with a knife, entered the store around 7:51 a.m. and attempted to take money from the cash register, according to Lt. Justin Stanko.

“A struggle ensued and the female clerk was struck in the hand with the knife,” he said. Stanko said the clerk sustained lacerations to her hand and was taken to Griffin Hospital.

Stanko said the suspect took about $100 before he fled on foot.

Detectives recovered clothing and other evidence nearby the store that they believe was tossed by the suspect, he said.

They include a blue and white Dallas Cowboy Reebok pullover with a large blue star on the back and a navy, New York Yankee baseball cap with the Yankee logo in cursive and a light blue/turquoise brim. He said the clerk was too distraught give a description of the suspect.

Stanko said anyone with information about the robbery should contact Derby police at 203-735-7811. All calls will remain confidential.