The alleged use of the “f word” sparked tension between the city’s corporation counsel and a critic of the local Republican Party at a public meeting Tuesday.
Thomas Lionetti, a resident active with local Democrats, was the first speaker to talk during the public portion of the Redevelopment Agency’s monthly meeting. He stood holding a copy of the meeting agenda in his hand.
“First, I’d like to know if I can speak on any of these issues after we see the presentation?” Lionetti asked members of the agency. “Is that at all possible?”
A copy of the Redevelopment Agency’s agenda is available here.
“There’s not really a presentation,” said agency chairman Joseph Bomba. “We’re just going over what we’ve been going over.”
Bomba is also a Republican Aldermen.
“I understand, but I don’t have any idea of what’s going on,” Lionetti said.
“Well, you’ve been to the meetings, so if you do have a question, now would be the time to ask that so we can discuss that as we’re discussing,” Bomba said.
“So, in other words, we can’t have that right to do it now?” Lionetti asked.
“Not at this point, no,” Bomba said.
“OK,” Lionetti said, then looked back at the meeting agenda. “Number 10, you are going to go into executive session. I thought that settlement was already done.”
Lionetti was referring to the Board of Aldermen’s decision to pay $1.75 million to settle a lawsuit brought against the city by Ceruzzi Derby Downtown Redevelopment, LLC. Although the Aldermen voted publicly to pay the money in October, the city’s Board of Apportionment and Taxation — and the Redevelopment Agency — have each held an executive session on the matter.
Executive sessions are meetings closed to the public. State law allows public agencies to hold such meetings in some cases, such as when discussing legal strategy. Derby officials have been entering into executive session saying the lawsuit from Ceruzzi is still pending, as a judge has yet to formally sign the agreement.
“This board hasn’t been informed, so that’s what we’re going to do,” Bomba said.
“You haven’t been informed on what?” Lionetti asked.
“On the settlement offer,” Bomba said.
“The Board of Aldermen …” Lionetti started to say.
“This isn’t the Board of Aldermen, this is the Revelopment Agency,” Bomba said.
“I know, but they didn’t do it?” Lionetti asked.
“Excuse me?” Bomba asked.
“I thought the Board of Aldermen was the one that already voted on that,” Lionetti said.
“Well, the city works under numerous boards,” Bomba said. “This was a board that didn’t have … information and it will now,” Bomba said.
“So, in other words, if this board chooses they could knock it down?” Lionetti asked about the settlement.
Joseph Coppola, Derby’s corporation counsel, then joined the discussion, in an apparent attempt to enforce Robert’s Rules of Order, which provide designated times for the public and public officials to make comments.
“Mr. Lionetti, it has nothing to do with this,” Coppola said.
“That’s why I’m asking,” Lionetti said.
“It has nothing to do with this,” Coppola said. “Do you you have a question for the board?”
“Yes,” Lionetti said.
“What’s your question?” Coppola asked.
“I just asked you,” Lionetti said.
“OK, next,” Coppola said.
“I didn’t get an answer,” Lionetti said.
“You’re not going to get one. Next,” Coppola said.
“What else is new?” Lionetti said.
“No, there’s nothing new,” Coppola said. “That’s how this is run. It’s public portion. What do you have to say? It’s not a question and answer. That’s it. What do you have to say, sir?”
“I already said it,” Lionetti said. “I don’t think you can hear. I said it.”
Coppola then motioned back to Bomba to move the meeting along.
“Anybody else from the public?” Bomba asked.
At that point, just before resident Don North began to address the board, Lionetti whispered what sounded very much like “f — -ing guy, I’m telling you.”
Note: Press play above to listen to audio from the meeting.
It provoked a reaction.
“What? I’m sorrry?” Coppola said.
“I said ‘What a guy,’” Lionetti said.
“Can you speak right in here. F’ing what?” Coppola asked, motioning toward a microphone used to record the meeting.
“What a guy. I didn’t say ‘f’ing.’ I said ‘What a guy,’” Lionetti replied.
“You said what? F’in what?” Coppola asked again.
Bomba then attempted to steer the conversation in another direction.
“Let’s keep it down to a low roar please,” he said.
“I didn’t say f’ing, but I’ll tell you after the meeting. I’ll tell you after the meeting,” Lionetti said.
“I’m sorry?” Coppola asked again.
Bomba again interrupted.
“There’s a man standing,” Bomba said, referring to North, who was standing in the row behind Lionetti. “Can we show him some respect and give him the floor, please?”
“Well tell him to stop,” Lionetti said to Bomba, gesturing toward Coppola.
“He can finish,” North said, looking at Lionetti.
Lionetti then mouthed “after the meeting” to Coppola.
The discussion then moved onto Route 34, which, according to public officials, is scheduled to be widened through Derby’s downtown redevelopment zone.
