Posted by Bob on July 30, 2010 under Daily Blogs | 
Two (2) important developments have occurred recently regarding the Renaissance Place downtown revitalization project. While we realize that most Naugatuck residents would prefer to see shovels in the ground and cranes in the air, there are important tasks that need to be accomplished to effectuate the start of construction.
Connecticut General Statutes Section 8-186 et seq., requires municipalities to develop a municipal development plan (“MDP”) in conjunction with redevelopment projects such as Renaissance Place. The creation of the MDP for Renaissance Place has been in progress for many months. It has required much planning and legal research. The document may be viewed here. Approximately one (1) month ago, the Renaissance Place MDP was submitted by the Naugatuck Economic Development Corporation (“NEDC”) to the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (“DECD”).
After the initial review by DECD, there are several steps that will occur over the next few months. The MDP will be submitted to all the state agencies having any connection to the Project to obtain comments. In addition, the MDP will be posted on the NEDC website, and submitted to the Central Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (“COGCNV”). After comments from state agencies are submitted, DECD will provide written comments to the NECD. A public hearing will then be held to obtain input from citizens. The final version of the MDP will require approval by the NEDC board of directors, the Naugatuck Planning Commission and the Board of Mayor and Burgesses.
Last week, the United States Senate Appropriations Subcommittee approved federal funding in the amount of FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND and 00/100THS ($500,000.00) DOLLARS for the Naugatuck Renaissance transportation facility. This announcement was made after several months worth of work drafting and monitoring the appropriations process, which began in February, 2010. We would like to thank the members of Naugatuck’s federal legislative delegation, Senator Christopher J. Dodd, Senator Joseph I. Lieberman and Representative Rosa L. DeLauro for all their time, support and advocacy on behalf of Renaissance Place and the Borough.
While additional steps in the legislative process remain, this in important first (1st) step toward obtaining federal funding for what is a smart-growth, transit oriented development which aims to revitalize the urban core of the Borough of Naugatuck. The appropriations bill will now go to conference committee, and hopefully to both chambers of Congress and the President for approval.
Public investment is required for Naugatuck’s portion of the Renaissance Place Project to fund the necessary infrastructure improvements which will support the private investment by Conroy Development Company. Obtaining a public commitment from the federal government provides significance leverage necessary for the developer to secure investment in a very difficult economic climate. We look forward to additional good news in the coming months.
While all of us are frustrated at the pace of development, much of the delay is due to the amount of work required prior to groundbreaking and the time it is taking our national economy to recover from a historic recession. All the Renaissance Place partners – the Borough of Naugatuck, the Naugatuck Economic Development Corporation and Conroy Development Company – continue to complete the necessary planning to make the project a reality as the economy rebounds.
Posted by Bob on July 15, 2010 under Daily Blogs |
Multiple news articles have been printed this week with regard to certain contract negotiations. I have and will continue to keep any comments I may have about particular specifics quiet while the negotiating process is ongoing. My silence should not be inferred as a lack of an opinion; but as basic respect for all parties involved in the process.
When running for office, I stated that I would not negotiate contracts through the newspaper. As mayor, I am the lead negotiator for the Borough team when dealing with seven (7) collective bargaining units and numerous non-union contract employees. I have the utmost respect for all those with whom I negotiate. Discussions concerning the particulars of each and every agreement are inherently complex, and the results have an impact on taxpayers and employees alike. Each party, whether it is an entire collective bargaining unit or one (1) individual employee, deserves to have negotiations discussed at the table rather than in the press.
Our administration values transparency and works with members of all local media to attain all documentation available under the Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”). The law recognizes, however, that contract negotiations deserve privacy until the final product is ultimately presented and voted-upon by the legislative body. Any information not protected by FOIA is made available to the media. Any other documentation will be provided at the conclusion of negotiations.
Posted by Bob on July 11, 2010 under Daily Blogs |
A fallen utility pole along Route 8 has apparently caused several Naugatuck neighborhoods, including my own, to lose electricity. I have been informed that Connecticut Light and Power personnel are currently working to restore power, hopefully by this evening.
Posted by Bob on July 9, 2010 under Daily Blogs |
The Peter Paul Candy factory may soon survive only in our memories. The building, which
- The Peter Paul factory in earlier days. Photo from http://www.freewebs.com/brasscity/outoftown.htm
housed generations of workers including my paternal grandparents, is being considered for demolition by the Hershey Company, which acquired the rights to the company from Cadbury Schweppes in 1988. Once the home to the world famous candy lines Mounds and Almond Joys, the factory has been empty since 2007 when Hershey decided to close its Naugatuck operations.
The pair of famous Naugatuck candies. Photo from http://www.freewebs.com/brasscity/outoftown.htm
One of the most common questions that is asked to me is something to the effect of “What are you doing with the Peter Paul property”. The answer to that question is unfortunately very little. The Borough has no ability to redevelop the property as it is privately owned. While government can encourage business growth and/or create the right climate for economic development, the private sector has and always will drive the American economy.
For years Hershey has maintained that the most profitable reuse of the Peter Paul property is for commercial purposes. There was significant civil but passionate debate between Naugatuck Economic Development Corporation (“NEDC”) board members a few years ago. Many believed that the property should remain zoned for industrial use despite Hershey’s desire to market the site as retail. Such a belief is based in sound logic and a desire to achieve what is best for Naugatuck.
There is much merit to encouraging industrial development. Manufacturing companies generally create higher-paying jobs, produce more taxable property and help support other, area businesses better than commercial, retail establishments. The loss of jobs and tax revenue from the closing of Peter Paul was significant. It would certainly be beneficial for Naugatuck if a manufacturing establishment was available to replace the loss of our beloved candy factory.
The reality is, however, that it is questionable if such a prospective buyer exists who would be willing to locate a manufacturing establishment at the site, at least for the price being asked by the owner. It is no secret that Connecticut and New England in general present inherent obstacles to manufacturers. High taxes and utility costs and increased regulation from northeastern states is often enough to outweigh a manufacturer’s loyalty to the region or appreciation for the skilled labor force that exists in New England. Access and facility logistics also present potential obstacles for a manufacturing outfit looking to relocate to the New Haven Road site.
In the end, Hershey will likely sell the property to the highest bidder. That highest bidder will likely be a commercial retail developer who can partner with a national retailer to locate one or more establishments on the property. While the entire process has been slowed by the recession, this is simply a reality of capitalism. While partnerships with the public sector often spur growth, economic development does not happen without the private sector and private investment. Barring a tremendous investment from Borough taxpayers to purchase the property, Naugatuck can not ultimately prevent this from happening.
We all may remember nostalgically the importance of the Peter Paul Candy Manufacturing Company to the growth of Naugatuck. It employed our families, charitably contributed to our civic organizations and the products it produced become an necessity in our office candy jars and Halloween pumpkins. When competing communities were distributing hometown products at the 2000 All America City Convention in Louisville, the Naugatuck River Valley’s delegation proudly offered Mounds and Almond Joys. Peter Paul is and always will be a source of pride for Naugatuck. While the memories will remain, the company is gone and the building will likely follow.
While we often speak of a need for change, it is not always easy to accept when it comes. One day soon, however, when the economy recovers and private investors begin to invest again, new establishments will take form on the property. New Haven Road is no longer a sleepy thoroughfare, home to only a candy factory, flea market and car dealership along the way. New Haven Road, or Route 63, is a state road leading to a major city not unlike Route 69 into Waterbury, Route 44 into Hartford, and Route 1 along the shore. Population densities increase the further south one travels toward New Haven. Two (2) exits off Route 8 provide quick access to New Haven Road. Our current Plan of Conservation and Development identifies the Route 63 corridor as an appropriate location for the kind of commercial retail that Hershey’s potential buyers likely envision. While the commute for those of us traveling from the south end of the Borough will be filled with a bit more traffic, such development will one day provide badly needed business tax revenue for Naugatuck. The NEDC will continue to search for appropriate sites for future industrial development as well as creative solutions to enhance our existing inventory of smaller manufacturing sites.
Further details on the Hershey property will be provided as available.
Posted by Bob on July 7, 2010 under Daily Blogs |
My blog and personal email has been down for approximately the past twenty four (24) hours. If you sent me an email to bob@bobmezzo.com in the past day, please resend as I have not received any emails to that address since yesterday (7/6/2010). My apologies for any inconvenience.
Posted by Bob on July 2, 2010 under Daily Blogs |
Naugatuck’s annual Independence Day fireworks display will take place at dusk on Sunday, July 4, 
2010, at Naugatuck High School. Opening ceremonies organized by the Naugatuck Veteran’s Council will begin at 6:45 PM. Entertainment and food vendors will be available prior to the fireworks.
As a result of the holiday falling on a Sunday, all Borough departments will be closed on Monday, July 5, 2010. Trash collection, however, will occur on its regular day.
Have a safe and enjoyable Independence Day Weekend.
Posted by Bob on July 1, 2010 under Daily Blogs |
After many months of research, discussion and hard work, the Blight and Beautification Committee will present a proposed blight ordinance to the Board of Mayor and Burgesses on Tuesday, July 6, 2010. The draft may be viewed here.
Last July, we had the initial meeting of our Blight and Beautification Council. Numerous volunteers, many of whom had little to no private experience in Borough government, came together to take a stand against the problem of blight in Naugatuck. While simply passing a law would have been the easy path, the members of the new council agreed to attack the problem in a comprehensive manner. Rather than simply looking to penalize owners of blighted property, the group dedicated itself to crafting a workable and feasible ordinance, educating residents about the importance of keeping the Borough clean, and establishing a plan to promote beautification efforts.
While, multiple positive and creative endeavors are ongoing with regard to education and beautification, Tuesday’s (7/6/2010) Borough Board meeting will focus on the proposed new blight ordinance. The goal over the past several months has been to create a document that is comprehensive, logistically enforceable and prevents overlap with existing local and/or regional departments as much as possible. This will be the first opportunity for Burgesses to review the proposal as a collective body.
Committee members Linda Ramos and BJ Forlenzo have been instrumental in leading this effort. Ms. Ramos and Ms. Forlenzo have energized and driven this process by combining a tireless work ethic, thoughtful approach and deep love of a Naugatuck. We would not be at this stage with them. They have been assisted by a fantastic group of volunteers who continue to work constructively to make Naugatuck an attractive and inviting community.
Deputy Mayor Tamath Rossi has also devoted numerous hours researching and helping to draft the proposed ordinance and providing guidance to committee members. Second Deputy Mayor Mike Ciacciarella, Burgess Mindy Fragoso, Burgess Pat Scully and Mayoral Aide Ed Carter have also contributed to the overall process.
Please provide your thoughts on the proposed ordinance by commenting here and/or attending the meeting of the Board of Mayor and Burgesses this coming Tuesday, July 6, 2010, 7:00 PM on the fourth (4th) floor of Town Hall.
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