Navel Gazing, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020
Hi everyone, welcome to ‘Navel Gazing: The Valley Indy Podcast.’ Press play to listen!
Here’s the episode’s script:
My name is Eugene Driscoll of ValleyIndy.org, a nonprofit online newspaper covering Ansonia, Derby and Seymour in Connecticut’s lower Naugatuck Valley.
Thank you Bad Slugs!
This podcast, by the way, is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, YouTube and Libsyn. I also usually upload the episodes to Facebook.com/ValleyIndependentSentinel.
No guest this week, this is a solo episode.
Public Hearing In Derby
I thought I would relay some information about a public hearing scheduled in Derby for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, regarding PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE DERBY CHARTER.
The meeting will be held on Zoom and information about joining can be found on the City of Derby’s online meeting calendar. Go to https://www.derbyct.gov/ and click meetings.
Before I continue, I want to relay this important message about how you can help your community.
“COVID-19 has changed life as we know it, and the Valley needs your help now more than ever.
The region’s health and human service providers face unprecedented challenges in meeting the needs of those affected by the pandemic.
Some organizations are even at risk of closing their doors.
You can make a difference right here in our community by joining with others in three ways: Give directly to Valley nonprofits. Participate in the Valley United Way annual campaign. Or, support the Valley Community COVID-19 Response & Recovery Fund.
Visit valleyfoundation.org to learn more.”
So a Charter Revision Commission in Derby has been working diligently over the last few months and now they are at the point where they are recommending some changes be made to the Derby Charter, the document that serves as the blueprint for city government.
The public hearing Wednesday is your chance to let your voice be heard. The Aldermen/Alderwomen have the ability to put the recommended changes on the November ballot.
Voters get the ultimate say in whether these changes will be made to the charter.
The questions are embedded below (if you’re reading this on ValleyIndy.org):
Derby PROPOSED Charter Questions by The Valley Indy on Scribd
Now, this is technically the second public hearing on this material. There was a public hearing held last Thursday, but I’m not certain it was noticed properly for the public to know it was happening.
So, again, please participate in your local government by attending this meeting and sharing your thoughts.
If you want to learn more about the questions being posed, please listen to the Aug. 5 episode of ‘Navel Gazing: The Valley Indy Podcast,” during which I interviewed Alderman Rob Hyder, the charter commission’s chairman.
Firefighters Play Ball
Moving on, the Valley Firefighters Softball League played their first game on the new field at Payden Park last night (Monday, Aug. 17).
Here’s the first pitch being thrown out by Derby Fire Department Commissioner Gary Parker. Catching is former commissioner Michael Kelleher.
Last month there was some controversy in Derby when the Board of Aldermen & Women voted to deny permission to the firefighters to use the field because the city had not finalized its set of policies and procedures governing the new athletic complex and its use.
I covered the issue in a story published July 15 headlined “Derby Legislators: Firefighter League Can’t Use New Softball Field (For Now).”
But all’s well that ends well and now there’s enough paperwork in place to allow use of the field. The game last night, BTW, was between Storm Engine Co. and Paugassett Hook & Ladder.
Here’s Mayor Dziekan talking about when the season ends, then Alderman Charles Sampson weighs in. The last voice you’ll hear is Alderman Ron Sill.
HA, moving on in Derby …
The Derby Planning and Zoning Commission is scheduled to meet 7 p.m. tonight (Tuesday, Aug. 18). On the agenda is discussion of an alleged zoning violation at 49 Burtville Ave.
I’ll try to explain this as briefly as possible.
For about a year or so, someone has been sending anonymous letters and photos to the media, police, Derby government and the state liquor control authority alleging that The Punishers, a pro-law enforcement motorcycle club, has been using a garage at 49 Burtville Ave. as a clubhouse.
If that was or is so, it was or is a possible violation of the city’s zoning rules governing that property.
But complicating the matter is that Derby building official Carlo Sarmiento is a member of The Punishers.
Further complicating the matter is that Sarmiento is the Derby Zoning Enforcement Officer, the person in charge of enforcing the zoning rules.
The situation has created internal strife among Mayor Rich Dziekan’s administration and appointed members of the Derby Planning & Zoning Commission.
In July, the Derby P&Z placed 49 Burtville Ave. on its agenda, and scheduled an executive session to discuss Sarmiento’s employment. Sarmiento hired a lawyer, and that meeting was canceled.
Click here for a previous story.
Then, three days later, Sarmiento submitted a letter of resignation saying he was no longer the zoning enforcement officer nor the city’s wetland enforcement officer.
Instead, he would remain building official, blight enforcement agent, and ADA coordinator.
Carlo Sarmiento Resignation Letter 7-24-2020 by The Valley Indy on Scribd
At last week’s Board of Aldermen/Alderwomen meeting, Andrew Baklik, Mayor Dziekan’s chief of staff, gave a partial update to the public.
Although Sarmiento resigned two titles, he is still receiving his full salary of some $74,000 (a dollar amount provided by the mayor’s office), and he is still dealing with a few open zoning violations.
The situation prompted questions from First Ward Alderwoman Barbara DeGennaro (D) and Second Ward Alderman Ron Sill, who focused on the fact the salary seems to be the same while the duties have been lessened.
DeGennaro recommended the item come back to the Aldermen/Alderwomen for a more in-depth discussion.
So I think the bottom line here is stay tuned …
I just want to close with an observation. In the past six weeks or so, there have been a few questions raised about whether various commissions or subcommittees in Derby have been following FOI rules.
Now sometimes governments make innocent mistakes, it happens.
BUT, I just want to point out that in June 2019, as part of a settlement agreement over a FOI complaint filed by The Valley Indy, the City of Derby promised to hold a training session on open government.
Fourteen months later, that training has still not happened, or, at the least, the public has not been notified of it.
