Tattoo Artists And Tattoo Lovers Dominate Public Hearing
A larger-than-normal group showed and spoke at a recent Planning & Zoning Commission meeting - most in favor of a local hair salon/barber shop adding tattoo services to their existing business. No decision was made regarding the application.
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With a showing of about 40 residents, the Clinton Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC) heard from nine who rose to speak in favor of the application of Edward and Lisa Alberino to add tattoo services to their existing business.
Two people addressed the PZC in opposition to the application at the Feb. 6 public hearing.
Those who addressed the commission were not required to provide their name and address.
A month ago, Lisa and Edward Alberino, who own Alberino's Hair Salon and Barber Shop on East Main Street applied for a special exception permit to add tattoo services to their existing business.
A public hearing was held in January and extended to February 6. After hearing from those in favor and opposition, and those who had general comments or questions, the PZC closed the public hearing. A decision was not made on the application, but one could come as early as Monday, Feb. 13, the next date of the PZC's regular meeting.
Licensed tattoo artists came out to speak including a woman named Ashley who grew up in Clinton but now resides and works in New York City.
"There are many myths surrounding tattoo shops such as they are only for criminals and drug dealers," said Ashley. "As a professional tattoo artist, I will say that a legitimate, clean and safe place is always in your best interest. A reputable shop would put an end to illegal and unsanitary conditions."
Ashley said she knows this for a fact as she has "fixed" the tattoos from illegal shops.
She said men, women and young people from all corners of life have tattoos for many reasons - to celebrate the birth of a child; in memory of a parent, spouse or child who died; or to commemorate a milestone.
Kelly Provost noted that, "One in four people have a tattoo. The tattoo industry is hot."
Provost said Clinton needs new businesses and people to come and visit and spend money here.
"Clinton is made up of a diversity of people and this town needs a diversity of businesses," she said.
Vincent Cimino reinforced that the Alberino's are established business owners and he "salutes the business owners for coming up with an innovative new business not offered in town."
Gene Pica, a realtor with ReMax in Branford, said he'd never had a potential home buyer ask whether there was a tattoo parlor in town.
"I've never come across this as an issue," said Pica, who noted there are tattoo services in Woodbridge, North Haven, Wallingford, East Haven and Deep River.
Jane Scully Welch showed the commission her tiny tattoo of a ladybug and said it wasn't a good job.
"I'd like someone reputable and in town to fix it," she said.
Those opposed to the application spoke next and included Bruce Farmer and Phil Sengle.
Farmer caused a bit of an uproar when he stated that 41 percent of Hepatitis C infections are caused by tattoos and that tattoos can also cause melanoma, skin cancers and ink poisoning.
"They are a very dangerous business that can cause harm to adults or kids," said Farmer.
He did say he had nothing against the Alberino's and that they were good neighbors and good business people. He said he recognized that in this economy, hair salons and barber shops are struggling like anyone else.
Sengle admitted that while growing up, only "sailors, Marines and motorcycle gangs" had tattoos.
He said the Alberino's are "fine people and upstanding members of the community."
"But that's not the point of this particular application," he said. He is concerned that if granted the special exception, that it stays with the property and future owners may not be as professional or trustworthy.
"None of us lives forever," said Sengle. "The next owner could say the heck with that."
Applicant Edward Alberino reinstated that he would have no advertising of the tattoo services.
"There will be no sign, ever. We are not selling the building, we've invested a lot in it. We want to leave it to our kids," he said. "We aren't going anywhere and we aren't looking for any loopholes."
Commission members asked a few questions about the salon's existing hours (Monday - Friday from 10am to 6pm and Saturday from 9am to 4pm) and how they would monitor underage kids from receiving a tattoo.
The Alberino's said the tattoo services would be by appointment only and would be open only during regular business hours. They would need to see a copy of a birth certificate and/or driver's license.
"I'm not going to tattoo a 17-year old," said Edward Alberino. "That's my pledge."
He also addressed the Hepatitis C comment by saying he is a certified instructor with the Red Cross in blood safety. A friend of the Alberino's who is a licensed tattoo artist said like a doctor's office, they use disposable needles, cups, and gloves. Needles are one-time only use and disposed of in a medical sharps container.
Tattoo artist Ashley said in the State of Connecticut, tattoo services and/or shops must be backed by a physician and regularly inspected. Artists must be licensed, must I.D. everyone and receive blood safety training.
The commission closed the public hearing portion of this application. Their next meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 13, 7pm at town hall.
Belle
7:50 am on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Such ignorance! I am a professional business woman and I have 5 very tasteful tattoos and let me tell you...you'd never know I had them when you hired me. Maybe at a summer company party you many get a glimpse of them but by no means does it make me an undesirable, lazy employee. Quit sterotyping, isn't that discrimination? Getting tattooed is like going to the dentist, maybe even more sanitary! These "officials" should go into a parlor and see what really goes on. Tattooist are artists in their field and do some incredible work. I can't carry my framed art around with me, so I choose to wear it proudly..
VIN CIMINO
8:45 am on Thursday, February 9, 2012
If the proposed location meets all regulation requirements, there is no reason why this application shouldn't be approved.
Bob Torcello
9:00 am on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Let's hope the PZC listens and "allows" this business.
No one is forcing anyone to do it and some mis-informed comments should not sway their decision.
For what it's worth, I have no tattoos but would not want to see this new business banned. It's a democracy and if the taxpayers were really concerned, they would have been at that meeting, speaking against it.
Let this business open and maybe just maybe more businesses will follow and fill some empty store fronts.
My $.02
TT
9:13 am on Thursday, February 9, 2012
I agree with Belle. This is ignorance. I cannot believe that people in my town are trying to stop expansion of any business here. People in this town cannot talk about trying to bring business in when you treat existing businesses like this. What is the debate? This is by appointment only. I have a PhD and work with professional people and about 80% of them have tattoos. I can't believe this is even being debated. Are we going to try to shut down the Driftwood now because bikers hang out in the summer? I'm sure some of them have tattoos. And all the charity work they do is amazing. So what element are we exactly trying to avoid here?
VIN CIMINO
9:35 am on Thursday, February 9, 2012
I, like Bob, have no tattoos. But, that's a personal choice and those individuals who choose to adorn their bodies with artwork should be able to do so in a clean, supervised environment by licensed, talented artists. The stigma that was once attached to tattoos no longer exists. Professional athletes, recording artists, and people from all walks of life now sport tattoos. Those who think that a tattoo boutique with no signage that operates during the same hours as a hair salon will result in minors running to get tattooed are not being realistic. Rather, a clean, licensed, properly supervised facility will reduce the rate of Hepatitis C infection. If the concern is melanoma and skin cancer, there should be a ban on tanning salons, which there certainly is not. If the regulations do not allow for this application to be approved based on outdated stigma, the regulations need to be changed immediately.
Belle
10:40 am on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Plus they are not allowed to tattoo minors and when getting tattooed MOST, NEARLY all of the time you are not right out in the open. I say most of the time, I was tattooed twice in Venice Beach, CA and was exposed to the elements and on-lookers. It could actually deter minors as it is not the most pleasant experience. I've witnessed tears, heard screams and seen people dropping to the floor. It is painful without a doubt during and the after care. Imagine a being stung by bees over and over in the same location. Yeah...it hurts!
NDZB
12:24 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
THE MILLIONS OF CHRISTIANS AND JEWS HELD IN NAZI GERMANY CONCENTRATION CAMPS HAD NO CHOICE BEING TATTOOED. NOW, IN THE 21ST CENTURY, TATTOOS ARE THE RAGE. AN ADULT WANTING TO ADORN THEIR BODY WITH TATTOOS HAVE THAT PEROGATIVE. HOPEFULLY THEY WOULD KNOW PRIOR TO OR BE TOLD OF THE RISKS.
YET, I HAVE SO MANY CONCERNS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR TATTOO PARLOR. THE FACT THERE WILL BE NO ADVERTISING OR EXTERIOR SIGNS, MINORS WILL NOT BE TATTOOED AND ABIDING TO STATE HEALTH REGULATIONS IS A HARD PILL TO SWALLOW. HOW WILL WE KNOW WHAT WILL BE GOING ON IN THEIR BACK ROOM ?
AN ARTICLE PRINTED IN THE NEW HAVEN REGISTER 01-18-12, ED ALBERINO STATED HIS BARBER SHOP/HAIR SALON SERVICES 40 TO 80 CUSTOMERS PER DAY. AS HIS BUSINESS NEIGHBOR, I SELDOM SEE A FRACTION OF THAT AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC IN HIS PARKING LOT PER DAY. SO ARE WE TO BELIEVE ALL OF HIS "PLEDGES" REGARDING AN UNADVERTISED, ADULT ONLY, LAW ABIDING TATTOO PARLOR ?
TOWNSPEOPLE OF CLINTON, THINK TWICE .
Jim Braun
6:59 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Why in the world would anyone bring up the Holocaust in this discussion? I'm sitting here scratching my head on that one. That is probably the most ridiculous way to start a post in the history of posts. On top of that, NDZB is pretty much writing scare tactics to insinuate an upstanding business is willing to switch over from a law abiding member of society to criminal activity all in the name of a dollar. LUDICROUS!!! The fact of the matter is tattoo parlors are popping up all over the place. I think some people need to get out of the 1800s. I'd say 1900s, but that was just 12 years ago and tattoos were already losing their stigma back then.
Richard C. Onofrio
3:43 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
To NDZB ---- You stated that you are a business neighbor of the Alberinos but gave neither your name or the type of business you engage in. I was wondering what might be going on in your back room if you are skeptical about identifying yourself, your occupation or your business. It is very easy to make accusations and innuendos without the correct knowledge of a situation as you can tell by the comments I just made. I don't know you, don't know what you do but I just casted doubt out to many people.
As I stated to Phil Sengle in the last edition of comments, If the Planning and Zoning panel sets the guidelines as we feel comfortable with and monitor the situation closely in the future -- now here is the kicker --- and "ENFORCE WHAT CONDITIONS WE IMPOSE PROMPTLY AND JUSTLY WHEN WE SEE THEM VIOLATED" there should be no repercussions going forward. If there are any then we can state the conditions under which the acception was allowed. This goes for any business or residence for that matter. Take a very good look at our "BLIGHT" ordinance and see how well we have enforced that!! Ok -- now it's time to LAUGH!!!
Don't worry about businesses not complying -- worry about officials enforcing our laws.
Richard C. Onofrio
3:43 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
To NDZB ---- You stated that you are a business neighbor of the Alberinos but gave neither your name or the type of business you engage in. I was wondering what might be going on in your back room if you are skeptical about identifying yourself, your occupation or your business. It is very easy to make accusations and innuendos without the correct knowledge of a situation as you can tell by the comments I just made. I don't know you, don't know what you do but I just casted doubt out to many people.
As I stated to Phil Sengle in the last edition of comments, If the Planning and Zoning panel sets the guidelines as we feel comfortable with and monitor the situation closely in the future -- now here is the kicker --- and "ENFORCE WHAT CONDITIONS WE IMPOSE PROMPTLY AND JUSTLY WHEN WE SEE THEM VIOLATED" there should be no repercussions going forward. If there are any then we can state the conditions under which the acception was allowed. This goes for any business or residence for that matter. Take a very good look at our "BLIGHT" ordinance and see how well we have enforced that!! Ok -- now it's time to LAUGH!!!
Don't worry about businesses not complying -- worry about officials enforcing our laws.
lnrthwnd
3:45 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
I like the idea of the Salon offering tattoo services. I am a long time vacationer to Clinton. My husband and I live in SE NY and we both have tattoos. We are fortunate that the person that we went to in our town is in a nice place and is clean and sanitary. Otherwise we wouldn't have used them. My husband is a landscaper and I am the manager of a garden center. We are not in a motorcycle gang, we aren't criminals and probably the worst thing that we do is drink coffee!
That's exactly why it is great when nice,decent people want to offer this service, so that those of us who want a tattoo don't have to feel like we have to go to someplace sketchy in order to get one.
I am already thinking about getting a tattoo from the Alberino's if they are allowed to add this service. I think it would be a great way for me to take home something from my favorite beach town.
Phil Sengle
5:03 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
I understand a tattoo parlor can't be within 1,000 feet of places that children frequent. By the applicant's own admission, 25% of their hair cutting business is children.
Jay
9:43 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
www.jud.ct.gov/lawlib/law/tattoo.htm Sengle is wrong
Edward G. Alberino Jr
7:25 am on Friday, February 10, 2012
Wow is all I can say to NDZB. How many day's is your office open? What are we going to be doing in this back room? As far as a fraction of this business we are doing maybe you should do our books for us. We run a great place and we are 100% legal. We employ 5 full time and 2 part time people with paid vacations. What are you doing in your back room? Thanks to everyone that supports us. Mr. Cimino call my cell phone 203-410-1581 thanks!