Just what was all the shouting about?
It was a question on the minds of residents outside the Aldermanic Chambers in Derby City Hall last week, where raised voices — and even an “f bomb” — could be heard from the hallway outside a closed-door meeting of the city’s legislative body.
The Aldermen met in executive session last Thursday to discuss the status of the city’s Pine Street transfer station, which closed last year.
City officials weren’t saying much about the heated exchange last week.
Mayor Anthony Staffieri was unavailable for comment.
Ken Hughes, president of the Board of Aldermen, wouldn’t talk specifics.
“I can’t confirm or deny what goes on behind closed doors, but if you overheard something, you overheard it,” Hughes said.
He said it’s not uncommon for the board’s closed-door sessions to get heated.
“That’s kinda what executive session is for, to hammer our things we can’t do in front of the public,” Hughes said. “People are passionate about their positions.”
Executive session meetings are closed to the public and are allowed in certain circumstances under state law, such as when city officials discuss legal strategy, contracts, a specific employee or a real estate deal.
The Aldermen met for two hours, but did not take action on the transfer station issue.
Transfer Station
Two things happened last year that helped closed the Derby transfer station — a place where residents could bring garbage and debris for permanent disposal.
1. A labor dispute: A state labor board said Derby had to reinstate city union workers and unload a private contractor Staffieri’s administration brought in to run the transfer station.
2. No permit: The state Department of Environmental Protection notified the city that Derby never received a permit to operate the transfer station, something that had apparently fallen through the cracks since the transfer station opened in 1996.
Since closing, the city has been trying to obtain a permit from the DEP, while residents have been using Shelton’s transfer station.
Due to the transfer station woes, the city’s Department of Public Works has not scheduled its annual bulk pick up day.
More bad news for Derby residents was announced last Thursday.
The Aldermen said the DEP advised the city to no longer allow its DPW crews to pick up leaves and brush from residents.
Previously, Derby residents could package leaves in bags, then call the DPW. A crew would come by and pick the bags up.
The stuff was being brought to the DPW — since the transfer station closed.
However, city officials said bringing the leaves to the DPW yard made the DPW yard a transfer station — again, something for which the city does not have a permit.
