East Mountain Neighborhood Association

February 15, 2006

Meeting Minutes

 

 

 

Attendees:Michael Ptak, Philip Gervais, Alice Rebhorn, Maria Lopes, Nancy Santarpia, Joe Moriarty, Diane Barth, Mary Vendetti, Marguerite Smith, Veronica Ayotte, Jan Perigard, Bob Perigard, Pat Kelly, Jean Guisto, Cathy Filippone, Tony Loechner, Turner Langdon, Pam Mencio, Ned Mencio, Roxann A….., Tom Cullen, Judy Calabrese, Bill Paternoster, Janet Shaw, Steve Shaw, Marge Horzepa, John Gonshi, Richie Hamel, Claire Hamel, Tom Connolly, Erin Norton, Pat Norton, Robert Lyons, David Semeraro, Bob Mc Govern, Tim Cavanaugh, Joanne Byrne, Bea Perigard, Ceil Pettit, Fran Depaola, Frank DePaulo, Chris Colwell, Barbara Stere, Julie Stefanelli, Lou Stefanelli, Larry Davino, Ceil Davino, Evelyn Carrah, Georgette Boiano, Peter Amedeo, Carol Amedeo, Brian Carroll, Mike Carroll, Carol Lynne Penta, Jerry Penta, Edward Peznowski, Marcia Schultz, Carl Viarengo, Stephen Conway, Tom Conway, Donna Burnes William Burnes, Samuel Paulone, Mark Guastaferri and associate, Dom Mirabelli, and some attendees who did not sign the attendance sheet. 

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:07 PM by Mike Ptak, who led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Mike thanked all those in attendance.

 

 

The original meeting agenda items were unexpectedly pre-empted by the sudden, announced arrival of Mark Guastaferri of Prospect and his associate, Dom Mirabelli,  Mr Guastaferri wished to have a question/answer session concerning the development he has proposed off Rte. 69/Hamilton Ave. This proposal has spawned a great deal of controversy and resistance from virtually every resident of East Mountain.  Mr. Guastaferri began by introducing himself and his partner by raising the reference to the “Villa Sol D’Or”complex, which had been cited as an eventual failed condo project, but which had begun as a shining example when first built.  He assured the residents that it would not be a good example, since that particular style of building is no longer favored.  He suggested that he would use a more traditional of style and it would be “very expensive”.

  In response to questioning, he admitted that he would have no control over the project, once it was sold, but that they would not become “low income”. 

Mark responded to further queries by assuring that he had chosen the very best traffic engineers, who would work with DOT to come up with a traffic control plan. Residents feel that traffic would be a nightmare with over 500 more people in the area.

He was questioned about the difference in the two plans he had submitted to date.  He stated their would be 100, plus, condo units, one plan for cluster housing and with one owner, and the other for subdivision with 12 units per building.  75% would be owner- occupied, in order to be certified by a condo association.  The cost would be $200,000 per unit.

The next question was what would happen if all the condos are not sold.  Mark responded that the building would be done in stages because the owner must obtain funding. 

Residents stated at several intervals that $200,000 is not expensive for this area. Others asked why condos and not houses are proposed, to which the response was that the zoning is for RM and has been for over 30 years

 

CarolLynn Penta exclaimed that she had moved to East Mountain from Town Plot for the very reason that this neighborhood has never had condos and is concerned about the fact that the developer has no control over what happens when the project is done, but that houses will sell.

Mr. Guastaferri stated that houses wouldn’t generate enough taxes to cover costs. 

 Questions continued, such as:

“Why don’t you build condos in Prospect”?  “ You wouldn’t build condos at the end of your street”.  “You don’t care about us”.  How many condos have you built around Waterbury”?  The answer was “ a few”.  When pressed numerous times, he would not say where the condos were built.  “You’re asking us to trust you, but you don’t trust us, because you won’t tell us where your condos are”.  The response was that he doesn’t want us to be disrupting, but that he would “think about it”. 

The plans were likened to “army barracks”.  Another concern was that if the condos don’t sell would cheaper housing be built.  “What if the traffic study doesn’t meet with approval?” The response: we could hire our own engineer.  “Would you ask for federal, state or city funding?” The answer:“No”.

Utilities and maintenance with the first plan would require owner responsibility, but with the second plan, the city would be responsible for maintenance.

Mike queried Mark Guastaferri about when he has submitted the condo plans, to which Mark responded that he was unsure, but that it is irrelevant, even though the zoning planned for the area is now RS ( single homes), since there is no legal reason to deny the plan.  Reportedly his plans were submitted just days before the zone change. 

The discussion continued with statements that the buildings should have to conform to the neighborhood and with continued urging to disclose where the developer’s other condos are to no avail. It was suggested, again that the condos be built in Prospect with response that there are no sewers there, to which it was suggested to tap into Waterbury sewer system.         

The suggestion was made to circulate a petition in attempt to stop the development.  Mike Ptak said that the most important thing to do would be to get as many people as possible to crowd the wetlands, zoning and planning meetings.  The petition option was insisted upon and a show of hands was practically unanimous in favor of the petition. 

 

Mike Ptak up-dated the group on the progress to date.

1. He stated that there are 2 watercourses on the property.

2.The next wetlands meeting is scheduled for March 14th

3.There will be an independent 3rd party review

4.Public hearing will close at some point

5.The process could take 5 years.

 

Ned Mencio brought up the fact that the market is currently cooled on buying homes, that interest rates will increase houses don’t sell—“the gamble is ours”.  Morally it is not the appropriate project for East Mountain.  The residents are being agreeable to single family homes. 

Bob Lyons asked Mark how many condo developments he owns at present.  He answered, “10”.

Mark Guastaferri and his partner left the meeting at 8:10

 

Tom Brunnock addressed the group, stating that we will need to hire a lawyer and that so far, $1000 has been collected from the $3800 that was pledged.  He reminded everyone that the “boards” must follow the rules and regulations.  If the developer meets criteria he cannot be stopped, therefore, we need legal help.  If the proposal is turned down, he can resubmit.  A letter should be written asking that the zone be changed from RM to RS.  The developer has already had 2 expired approvals. 

A meeting with a lawyer will be scheduled for next week. 

 

Old business:

Park Renovations:  Bids are going out.  David Aldorando is still striving for more funding at the state level, Mike’s appeal to the “Make a Wish Foundation” was not responded to.  Some construction may begin in the spring. 

 

Membership: Mike reminded the group that ours is one of the strongest neighborhood associations.   Membership dues---$10 per year.  The membership numbers are just a fraction of the total of the residents. 

 

Fund Raising:  Mike approached the group as to having a breakfast instead of a ziti dinner this year, due to the numbers of ziti dinners held throughout the city all year.  The response was very favorable. 

 

Thank you:  The EMNA gifted the Gasparri employees with Dunkin Donuts gift cards for their excellence in snow removal.  A thank you card was sent and is presented this evening. 

 

The church:  The EMNA will purchase an advertisement for the church spring dinner program for $125 again this year.  The purchased was approved.

 

There have been several car break-ins in the neighborhood, on Pineridge Rd., Rockledge Drive, Eastside Blvd., and Skyline Drive   

 

Bob and Jan Perigard are working on a scrapbook commemorating all the EMNA events since the start 4 years ago.  It here for all to peruse this evening.  The EMNA thanks them for their talented work. 

 

There is no interest in having an Easter Egg hunt this year. 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 PM.

 Refreshments were served.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Patricia Mencio