Your Right To Know

Authorities Still Investigating Seymour Scam

by | Jan 24, 2023 10:58 pm | Comments (0)

SEYMOUR — Three months after discovering someone scammed $375,000 from the town, officials still haven’t explained to the public how the crime happened.

First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis and Chief of Police John Bucherati have released selected information, while saying other info can’t be released because of the investigation.

Example — they recently announced that it looks like the town will be able to recover at least half of the stolen loot.

Through a very complex investigation we discovered that Bank of America flagged a transaction (of $182,000) as suspicious, and they set the money aside. The town is in the process of recovering the funds,” Bucherati told The Valley Indy on Monday.

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Ansonia Commission Approves Olson Drive Redevelopment Plans

by | Dec 15, 2022 3:49 pm | Comments (0)

An illustration of the just-approved complex.

ANSONIA – Construction is expected to get underway in March on an estimated $15 million sports training complex slated for Olson Drive.

That’s according to developer John Guedes, whose redevelopment plans received unanimous approval from the Ansonia Planning and Zoning Commission at its Nov. 28 meeting.

Guedes, who is president and CEO of Primrose Companies, plans to transform the property at 107 – 165 Olson Dr. across from the Naugatuck River into a hub for soccer and athletic training. His development calls for construction of two buildings. A 39,000-square foot building would house indoor soccer, along with an outdoor soccer field. Ole Soccer, a soccer business, is scheduled to lease the space.

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Ansonia GOP Calls For Kara Rochelle's Resignation, Valley Democrats Show Support

by | Nov 30, 2022 8:30 pm | Comments (0)

State Rep. Kara Rochelle was recently elected to her third term representing Derby and Ansonia in Hartford.

ANSONIA/DERBY — The chairman of the Ansonia Town Republican Committee called on state Rep. Kara Rochelle to resign after court testimony reported Tuesday by The CT Mirror alleged that Rochelle was intimately linked to corrupt politico Michael DiMassa, the person who arranged for her to be paid $5,000 as a consultant to the City of West Haven.

The residents of the 104th deserve better and call for her immediate resignation,” Anthony Mammone, the chairman of the Ansonia Republican Town Committee, said in a statement to The Valley Indy.

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$375,000 Cyber Theft From Seymour Government, Police And FBI Investigating

by | Nov 28, 2022 9:23 pm | Comments (0)

A screen shot from the YouTube video of the Oct. 18 meeting of the Seymour Board of Selectpersons.

SEYMOUR — The Seymour Police Department and the FBI are investigating a cybercrime that swindled town government out of $375,000, The Valley Independent Sentinel has learned.

The Town of Seymour is victim to a cybercrime perpetuated by an unknown party,” according to a statement from Seymour First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis and Seymour Town Attorney Richard Buturla. The Office of the First Selectwoman ordered an immediate investigation into how this fraud occurred. In addition, the Seymour Police Department was instructed to immediately initiate a criminal investigation into this matter.”

The statement was issued after The Valley Indy started asking questions about the matter.

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Seymour Selectpersons Meet In Executive Session To Conference With Lawyer

by | Oct 20, 2022 8:42 am | Comments (0)

A screen shot from the YouTube video of the Oct. 18 meeting of the Seymour Board of Selectpersons.

SEYMOUR — The members of the Board of Selectpersons met behind closed doors Tuesday night (Oct. 18) to discuss a privileged communication with its attorney.

Executive sessions are closed to the public and are allowed under state law under specific circumstances, such as talking about lawsuits, specific employees, real estate deals — and to receive legal advice. No votes are allowed to be taken in executive session, and it is against the law to change subjects while in private.

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Derby Releases Finance Director's Letter Of Resignation

by | Aug 18, 2022 6:52 am | Comments (0)

DERBY — On Wednesday the mayor’s office released the resignation letter sent Monday by finance director Agata Herasimowicz.

The letter does not go into detail about why Herasimowicz decided to submit her two-week notice less than two months after the Derby Board of Aldermen & Alderwomen voted 8 – 1 to reinstate her after she had been put on administrative leave in March by Derby Mayor Rich Dziekan.

I am writing to let you know that I will be resigning from my position and my last day will be August 26, 2022. If there is anything I can do to support this transition, I am available to help if needed,” according to the letter from Herasimowicz released by the mayor’s office.

Herasimowicz declined comment on Tuesday.

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Adventures In 'Open' Government: Derby Needs A FOI Refresher

by | Aug 16, 2022 6:16 pm | Comments (0)

DERBY — Derby government needs to take a refresher course about the Freedom of Information Act.

The city also needs to come up with a simple written policy that gives guidance to employees who receive information requests from the public.

They need to do this not because I say so. They need to do this because they promised to do this three years ago.

It is time for Derby government to live up to its word.

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Derby's Finance Director Submits Letter Of Resignation

by | Aug 16, 2022 11:37 am | Comments (0)

(Left to right) Alderwomen Anita Dugatto, Alderwoman Sarah Widomski, corporation counsel Vin Marino and Derby Finance Director Agata Herasimowicz at a meeting in June.

DERBY — Derby Finance Director Agata Herasimowicz resigned on Monday. The resignation happened less than two months after elected officials voted to bring her back from paid administrative leave.

Walt Mayhew, Derby Mayor Rich Dziekan’s chief of staff, confirmed the resignation Tuesday morning (Aug. 16), as did Herasimowicz during a brief phone call.

I don’t have a comment about my resignation. I’m sorry, it’s just not a good time,” she said.

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Derby Votes To Bring Back Finance Director

by | Jun 29, 2022 8:56 pm | Comments (0)

(Left to right) Alderwomen Anita Dugatto, Alderwoman Sarah Widomski, corporation counsel Vin Marino and Derby Finance Director Agata Herasimowicz at a meeting Monday)

DERBY — The Board of Aldermen & Alderwomen voted 8 – 1 on Wednesday to reinstate Agata Herasimowicz as finance director.

Alderman Charles Sampson voted no. Mayor Richard Dziekan, after reading a lengthy statement into the record criticizing Herasimowicz, recommended she be terminated.

Herasimowicz was not at the meeting. When reached afterward, she said she was pleased, and said she hoped to make improvements to Derby’s financial operations and oversight.

The discussion and vote to bring Herasimowicz back is in the 18-minute video below.

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Derby Finance Director Was Praised For Following Policies Prior To Administrative Leave

by | Jun 28, 2022 7:46 pm | Comments (0)

Agata Herasimowicz was judged "very good" at adhering to policy in a performance review completed in January.

DERBY — The city’s finance director received a positive performance review less than eight weeks before being put on paid administrative leave, The Valley Independent Sentinel has learned.

Finance Director Agata Herasimowicz was placed on paid leave in March so Mayor Rich Dziekan’s administration could investigate whether she violated Derby government policies and procedures.

However, her Jan. 12 performance review noted she followed policies.

The review included a section titled adherence to policy.” Herasimowicz scored very good,” the second highest option available.

Agata is guided and governed by policies. Where policies don’t exist, she has asked that they be created,” according to the performance review.

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