There's a this Wednesday, June 27 at 6:30pm at that asks for the public's vote on two items and one is a proposed ice rink in town.
If you haven't heard, two Clinton residents, Joseph Defilippo and Greg Gallo, wish to on Old Nod Road.
The proposal is that they would pay the town $1 a year to lease the property while they go through all the legal motions and approvals such as design review and planning and zoning, to receive the OK on the project. If the rink is built, the two would pay a yearly lease on the property. Financing the project would be the responsibility of Defilippo and Gallo.
If built, the development would bring in tax revenue, add jobs, and hopefully increase economic development activity in town.
Naturally, some folks are for it - others against it - others need to know more.
When the ice rink idea was first posted on the Clinton Patch's Facebook page, the comments were in favor of it such as "I believe most any long term business is a great idea. An ice rink would be great for every family of all ages" and "It's year round fun and use...I hope it goes through!"
One reader sent an opinion piece, a Letter to the Editor stating his reasons for wanting to vote "no" at tomorrow's town meeting.
Will you attend the special town meeting? How will you vote?
Notice for the June 27 Special Town Meeting:
The electors of the Town of Clinton and all other citizens qualified to vote in town meetings of the said Town of Clinton are hereby notified and warned that a Special Town Meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at the Andrews Memorial Town Hall, 54 East Main Street, Clinton, Connecticut to hear and consider the following:
RESOLVED: to approve the line item transfer from General Government by increasing Legal- Other by $47,528 and decreasing Union Negotiator by $25,261 and Insurance by $22,267
RESOLVED: to approve the land lease agreement and future conveyance between the Town of Clinton and Shoreline Ice for approximately nine (9) acres of land on a parcel of property located at Old Nod Road.
"The proposal is that they would pay the town $1 a year to lease the property while they go through all the legal motions and approvals such as design review and planning and zoning, to receive the OK on the project. If the rink is built, the two would pay a yearly lease on the property", raeds the article. But, the lease woukl give an option to these 2 guys to buy the l9 industrial acres from the town for $1000 after the first year. That's the "conveyance" portion ofthe resolution. This is not just a lease that calls for future rent. This is also an option to purchase 9 industrial acres from the town for $1000. This should be corrected in the article. Please read Alan Kravitz's opinion on this matter: http://clinton.patch.com/articles/why-we-should-vote-against-proposed-ice-rink-lease-and-option A member of P&Z, he has several serious, wellfounded concerns. We definitely need much more information about this deal. We must vote NO tonight.
This entire "rubber stamp" concept makes no sense. P&Z and the BOF are not simply expected to "rubber stamp" anything. They're supposed to evaluate the merit of a proposal and how it affects the town realative to that commission's particular function. How can the BOF evaluate the financial effects of this deal if it's unknown the condition of the soil, whether or not there will be easements over other town property, etc.? Did the BOF even know that the potential "tenants" actually have an option to purchase the 9 industrial acres in a year for $1000? I don't see how P&Z can evaluate the proposal either without all the facts. Why are we rushing into this? The proposal require far more scrutiny and should not be approved at this time. Thank you, Alan, for having the courage to stand up and share your opinion. We must vote NO on this proposal tonight.
Nonfarm payroll employment changed little in May (+69,000), and the unemployment rate was essentially unchanged at 8.2 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.
Jenn-- the outlets *are* a good thing for our town. Without it, our taxes would be even more crazy. It's not like we've hired new officers, at town expense, nor is it the case that officers are "tied up" working outlets to the detriment of the rest of the town. The ice rink may very well be a good thing (I'm generally supportive of the idea), but I concur with many on this discussion that our town Gov't tends to rush through these decisions. If current and former WPCC and P&Z folks are raising questions, that's very concerning to me.
Please, people, demand to know as much as possible so you can make an informed decision--whether ultimately in favor or not.
"ARE YOU "FOR" OR "AGAINST" GIVING AWAY 9 INDUSTRIAL ACRES FOR $1000 AND POTENTIALLY OPENING UP A PANDORA'S BOX OF CONTAMINATION ISSUES?"
It does not follow to new owners or to those who lease the property. If someone gets sick or dies from contamination 10 years from now or later - the Town is liable . Bruce Farmer
I have been in the insurance industry for 45 years and I am telling you that if anybody gets sick or dies from contamination even if it is 30 years later - the Town of Clinton is liable for potentially millions - NO matter what !! So all of you better pray that this toxic site is either not used or is totally cleaned up by certified professionals with oversight by P and Z. Bruce Farmer
of sale cannot be used as an excuse by either the buyer or seller" . Warning printed on DEEP brochure - You can all guess why..
I looked at the links provided by Catherine and Brad and there's nothing I can see that assures that Clinton will not be required to pay for mandatory remediation of contaminated soil once it is discovered. Nothing at all.
Bruce Farmer