Damaged Fairground Buildings an Issue at Selectmen's Meeting

At last night’s Selectmen’s meeting, First Selectman Michael Freda’s discussion of economic progress in town was marred by a few public comments devoted to the construction of new buildings at the fairgrounds.

After three buildings were damaged at the fairgrounds last winter, it was determined they must be rebuilt. Since then, the project has gotten underway, with the North Haven Fairgrounds and Munger Construction, a contractor, agreeing to rebuild the structures in the exact dimensions of the original buildings.

In so doing, the Planning & Zoning Commission waived the need for site plans and bonds that accompany normal building projects.

Freda answered questions at last night’s meeting about the lack of site plans, which may prohibit competitive contracting bids, by asserting that the building owner (the fairgrounds) and the contractor had agreed to replicate the buildings, negating the need for new blueprints.

Any further questions about the project should be addressed to the Planning & Zoning Committee, not the selectmen, according to Freda.

Freda opened the meeting with a discussion of town economics, announcing that revenue is up $273,000, thanks in part to a check from FEMA for $73,000 to pay for snow removal last winter.

Among the new building projects of note are the Quebecor site at 297 State Street, the former print facility that was purchased by Mountain Development Corp. of Shelton for $3,750,000 on June 2. Freda said exterior construction, which was delayed by roofing issues, has been completed and interior construction is in progress.

“The project is on and it’s a major economic development,” Freda said. Mountain Development is currently looking for tenants.

The Easter Seals has purchased a building on 432 Washington Avenue at Glen Roads that will lead to 30 to 50 new jobs, Freda said. Easter Seals will probably occupy the building this fall.

Freda answered another public comment about the town’s replacement of damaged mail boxes last winter by explaining that there were days last winter when mail wasn’t delivered due to heavy snow, but that the town had responded by arranging for delivery and repairing the mail boxes.

Freda also replied to a comment about the repair to the utility field at the old high school by saying the town is entertaining bids and should have the work done by September.

Still another comment about the relocation of the post office was answered with news that the post has extended its existing lease while it searches for a new location. The town hopes the post office will relocate farther up Washington Avenue.

“We’re hoping to get them to approve the recommended site,” Freda said.

On the high school news front, second Selectman Tim Doheny discussed a child abuse awareness program planned for early in the school year. A speaker at the September 1 selectmen’s meeting will discuss the program to take place at the high school.

The September 1 meeting will be held at the public library.