The July 2011 campaign finance reports are now online at the Town Clerk's page on the EH Town Website.
Here are quick links for your convenience:
Maturo
Finkle
Capone
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
PZC 7/6/2011 **Update***
***Update*** I re-uploaded and fixed the video for 155 Short Beach Road.
The PZC met on Wednesday night. The big item on the agenda turned out to be kind of strange. The first item on the agenda was a discussion of the subdivision proposed for 155 Short Beach Road. There was an application pending for an extension of the approval of an 11 lot subdivision. However, before the meeting even started the Chairman, Gene Ruocco, made an announcement that there was a new state statute which automatically extended the approval of approved subdivisions for no less than 9 years from the date of their original approval. This means the subdivision at 155 Short Beach Road is extended until 2014. The attorney for the PZC explained, several times, that there was no discretion on the part of the PZC in the matter. By state statute all subdivisions in the state that had already been approved automatically had their approvals extended. The statute was passed in May of 2011 and became effective as soon as it was signed into law by Governor Malloy. The large number of residents present were not happy to hear this piece of information.
Not only were the residents near the Short Beach project concerned about the statute but the residents near the Foxon Quarry were wondering how the statute would effect them. This lead me to wonder how our legislators voted on the statute. A quick check of the State's website revealed Senator Fasano voted for it. Not surprising since he represents developers in his law practice. More surprising was Representative Albis' yes vote.
Well known community activist, Andrew Esposito, who lives near the Foxon Quarry was concerned with Albis' vote. Albis "appears to be unaware of the decade long struggle the residents of Foxon waged against yet another developer whose failure to complete a project was of his own doing and not attributable to general economic factors. " Having taped many of the PZC meetings where the Foxon Quarry came up, as well as a show on the project with Andy, I am surprised that this was not taken into account before Albis voted to approve.
Contacted today about his vote, Representative Albis had this to say:
"I am strongly opposed to extending the time of expiration for the projects on Short Beach Road and at the Foxon Quarry.
You may have heard that the legislature overwhelmingly passed what is now known as Public Act 11-5 in April 2011. The original language of the bill only dealt with extending the time of expiration of certain land use permits that were approved between the period of July 1, 2006 and July 1, 2011. The bill was presented as an economic driver to help out during the tough financial times. However, there was an amendment tacked on at the last minute, which extends the time of expiration of certain land use permits approved ANY TIME before July 1, 2011. The full impact of the amendment was not made explicit on the floor of the House. While I supported the intent of the underlying bill, I do not believe the amendment stays true to such intent, extending the coverage of the bill to include projects that were approved well before the recession.
It is not yet clear whether or not the projects on Short Beach Road and the Foxon Quarry will fall under the provisions of this bill. I have requested legal opinions on each matter and will do everything I can to prevent the extension of the time of expiration on these projects."
We will have to see how this plays out over the next couple of months. Till then here is the video from the meeting.
155 Short Beach Road
495 Short Beach Road
The rest of the agenda
The PZC met on Wednesday night. The big item on the agenda turned out to be kind of strange. The first item on the agenda was a discussion of the subdivision proposed for 155 Short Beach Road. There was an application pending for an extension of the approval of an 11 lot subdivision. However, before the meeting even started the Chairman, Gene Ruocco, made an announcement that there was a new state statute which automatically extended the approval of approved subdivisions for no less than 9 years from the date of their original approval. This means the subdivision at 155 Short Beach Road is extended until 2014. The attorney for the PZC explained, several times, that there was no discretion on the part of the PZC in the matter. By state statute all subdivisions in the state that had already been approved automatically had their approvals extended. The statute was passed in May of 2011 and became effective as soon as it was signed into law by Governor Malloy. The large number of residents present were not happy to hear this piece of information.
Not only were the residents near the Short Beach project concerned about the statute but the residents near the Foxon Quarry were wondering how the statute would effect them. This lead me to wonder how our legislators voted on the statute. A quick check of the State's website revealed Senator Fasano voted for it. Not surprising since he represents developers in his law practice. More surprising was Representative Albis' yes vote.
Well known community activist, Andrew Esposito, who lives near the Foxon Quarry was concerned with Albis' vote. Albis "appears to be unaware of the decade long struggle the residents of Foxon waged against yet another developer whose failure to complete a project was of his own doing and not attributable to general economic factors. " Having taped many of the PZC meetings where the Foxon Quarry came up, as well as a show on the project with Andy, I am surprised that this was not taken into account before Albis voted to approve.
Contacted today about his vote, Representative Albis had this to say:
"I am strongly opposed to extending the time of expiration for the projects on Short Beach Road and at the Foxon Quarry.
You may have heard that the legislature overwhelmingly passed what is now known as Public Act 11-5 in April 2011. The original language of the bill only dealt with extending the time of expiration of certain land use permits that were approved between the period of July 1, 2006 and July 1, 2011. The bill was presented as an economic driver to help out during the tough financial times. However, there was an amendment tacked on at the last minute, which extends the time of expiration of certain land use permits approved ANY TIME before July 1, 2011. The full impact of the amendment was not made explicit on the floor of the House. While I supported the intent of the underlying bill, I do not believe the amendment stays true to such intent, extending the coverage of the bill to include projects that were approved well before the recession.
It is not yet clear whether or not the projects on Short Beach Road and the Foxon Quarry will fall under the provisions of this bill. I have requested legal opinions on each matter and will do everything I can to prevent the extension of the time of expiration on these projects."
We will have to see how this plays out over the next couple of months. Till then here is the video from the meeting.
155 Short Beach Road
pzc07062011 155ShortBeach redo from Edward Foley on Vimeo.
495 Short Beach Road
pzc07062011 495shortBeach from Edward Foley on Vimeo.
The rest of the agenda
pzc07062011 last3items from Edward Foley on Vimeo.
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