DERBY — Here are some highlights from the March 10 meeting of the Derby Board of Aldermen & Alderwomen.
The complete video from the meeting is posted on the City of Derby’s website.
Economic Development Search Committee
The Derby Board of Aldermen & Alderwomen voted to create a search committee to find an economic development director for the city.
The committee has the following members as of March 16, 2022:
Alderwoman Anita Dugatto (Democrat)
Alderman Gino DiGiovanni (Republican)
Walter Mayhew, Mayor Rich Dziekan’s chief of staff
Carmen DiCenso, Derby’s economic development liaison
Jeff Luxford, Oxford’s economic development director
Patrick McKinney, Wolcott economic development director
Edward B. St. John, Middlebury First Selectman
Alvin Holmes, at-large member, registered Democrat from Derby
Ted Estwan, at large member registered Republican from Derby chairman of the Derby Planning & Zoning Commission
The members were approved during the Aldermen/Alderwomen’s March 10 meeting.
Alderwoman Sarah Widomski said she wanted to see more females on the search committee, and wanted to add two more names to the list.
However, after a lengthy discussion about the local legislative process and Robert’s Rules of Order, the board settled on the names above. More names could be added at a later date, officials indicated.
Brian Dennehy Bridge
The Aldermen & Alderwomen voted to purchase and install a sign or marker to be placed on a small bridge on Roosevelt Drive to mark the life of Brian Dennehy, who passed away in April 2020 at age 81.
The short bridge crosses a small canal off Route 34/Roosevelt Drive across from Apollo pizza.
The city’s legislative body actually approved naming the bridge after Dennehy in 2005, but the sign was never installed.
Derby resident Jack Walsh brought the matter to the attention of city government.
Part of Dennehy’s formative years (at about 9 or 10 years old) were spent living on Mount Pleasant Street in Derby from 1945 to 1948. In Derby he was a Cub Scout in Cub Pack 3. He also lived in Shelton growing up.
In 1948 he performed in the Scouts’ annual variety show in the basement of the United Methodist Church on Elizabeth Street across from the Derby Green, and returned to the spot in 1994 to show his appreciation for iconic Scout leader Ed Strang.
According to “Variety,” Dennehy served “in the Marines from 1959 – 63, after which he studied history at Columbia, attending the university on a football scholarship. He subsequently earned his MFA in dramatic arts from Yale.”
Dennehy became a respected character actor, especially on stage. His critically acclaimed film roles include “First Blood,” “Cocoon,” “Best Seller,” “Silverado” and the comedy cult classic, “Tommy Boy.”
Executive Session Items
The Alders met in executive session to discuss a number of matters.
Executive sessions are closed to the public, and are allowed in specific circumstances as outlined in state law. Executive sessions can be held to discuss legal strategy, contracts, real estate deals, security matters, and specific public employees.
After the executive session, the board voted in public to approve a proposed settlement in the matter of Joseph Jalowiec vs. the City of Derby. Although the agenda listed Joseph Jalowiec, the matter appears to be a tax appeal regarding several properties in the Marshall Lane area owned by. Jalowiec Associates LP. The terms of the settlement were not discussed at the meeting.
Any property owner has the ability to challenge tax assessments to a local board of assessment appeals. If still not satisfied, property owners can appeal to courts.
The board also voted to approve a “partial settlement” with KBA, presumably Kaestle Boos Associates, the firm that worked on the new field house complex on Chatfield Street. It was unclear which specific lawsuit this was about. The board’s agenda listed a docket number for the court case Turco Golf vs Derby, which is a breach of contract lawsuit Turco Golf has pending against the city regarding the construction of the new multi-purpose turf field.
A group of residents whose properties were damaged from storm runoff from both construction projects (a field house/baseball field, and the football field) have a separate lawsuit pending against Turco, KBA, the City of Derby, and others. A status conference on that lawsuit is scheduled for May 3.
The took no action on whether to merge its senior center with a new one under construction on Main Street in Ansonia. The board said attorney Richard Buturla will continue talks with the City of Ansonia. Buturla is advising Derby on this case because Derby and Ansonia share the same law firm as corporation counsel.
The board took no action on a proposed agreement to continue sharing fuel with the City of Ansonia. Derby pays Ansonia for fuel from the city’s fuel pumps for Derby-owned vehicles.
