SEYMOUR — The Board of Selectpersons met for their bi-monthly meeting Tuesday (Feb. 20). Here are a few highlights:
Road Project Moves Along
A $9 million project slated to make major improvements to West Church Street, Bungay and Botsford roads, has been held up over an easement the town was waiting to acquire from a West Church Street property owner.
Resident Jack Jurkowski raised concerns about the delay.
“It’s interesting that one person can hold up an easement on a multi-million project,” Jurkowski said. “What are our legal options? What are we going to do to get this project going? One person is holding us hostage on a project that will benefit the whole town.”
Drugonis said the town has been in discussions with the property owner and his attorney about getting the easement. She said the owner wanted $5,000 for the easement of a 300-square-foot piece of property the town needs to acquire for the project.
The town made a counteroffer of $2,000 which Seymour First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis told the Valley Indy Thursday (Feb. 22) was agreeable to the owner.
The road work was slated to begin this spring, but Drugonis said it’s likely work won’t get underway until summer.
The Valley Indy didn’t ask for the owners’ name.
Some New Ordinances On The Horizon
The board approved moving two more ordinances to the town’s ordinance committee for consideration. One would call for creation of a town redevelopment agency.
“It’s another tool in your economic development toolbox,” Seymour Town Attorney Richard Buturla said. “It’s something worth having a discussion about and is sometimes used by communities to get areas where the market itself is not promoting renewal (of properties).”
A second ordinance would establish a process to follow regarding the naming of town buildings, parks and other facilities. The process, in part, would require someone to fill out an application and explain their reasons for wanting to name a park or other place in town after someone. The proposal would then be vetted before the Selectpersons to get the public’s input before a decision is made.
Road And Pond Improvements Coming
The board unanimously voted to use $20,112 in state LOCIP (Local Capital Improvement Program) funds to repair Argonne Terrace off Roosevelt Drive.
Drugonis said the town’s public works crews have made patches and repairs over the years to a section of the road that veers to the right that is riddled with craters, prone to flooding and has other issues.
“Public works has tried to patch and repair but it’s just not working, and we have money in our LOCIP fund to fix the problems,” Drugonis said, noting the work will be done in-house by public works to save a few bucks.
A neglected retention pond at Forest Road and Sagamore Drive will also get repaired. The board approved using $47,600 in LOCIP funds to clear out the pond, remove some trees and debris and replace a fence. The pond has been causing some drainage issues in the area, due to years of neglect, according to Drugonis.
More Buddy Benches
The town has teamed up with the Love Mom XOXO Foundation, Inc. and Bushi Ban CT in seeking donations to bring more “buddy benches” to town.
The town installed its first buddy bench last November at Broad Street Park. The bench donated by Bushi Ban is done up in the town’s colors of blue and gold, featuring the words “when you need a friend.”
The bench is designed to provide a place for anyone in town, feeling lonely and in need of some companionship, to have a seat. Doing so sends a public symbol that you’re looking for someone to talk to.
Lori Nespoli, of Love Mom XOXO and a member of the Seymour Board of Education, said the goal is to install more benches throughout town, including at the town schools, in the parks and other areas.
“The benches are there to help children and adults who feel lonely, don’t feel included in things or are just having a bad day,” Nespoli told the board. “We’re trying to help people feel like they’re part of something.”
Donations and sponsorships are being sought to fund the benches, which cost $650 each. Drugonis said no town funds are being used to fund the benches.
Those interested in making a donation can email [email protected], [email protected] or contact Drugonis at Seymour Town Hall.
Selectwoman Trish Danka said more benches would be a welcome addition to town.
“I’d love to see the benches at the schools and my hope is that our children are always being reminded to be kind,” Danka said. “I love the promotion of kindness.”
