Firehouse Changes Approved; October Hearing Scheduled

By Susan MacEachron

Long-standing violations at 24 Greenwoods Road West, proposed changes to the firehouse design and bonding the initial landscaping work at 69 Maple Ave. (the Manor House) were on a full agenda at the Sept. 9 meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission.

There may finally be movement in the town’s standoff with Love Simply LLC, the owner of 24 Greenwoods Road with a public hearing scheduled for Oct. 14. Windows were removed from the yellow building next to Infinity Hall several years ago without being reviewed by P&Z. The review is required because the building is in the Village District and Love Simply’s principal, Benjamin Shiff, refused to submit an application. Since then, daily fines have been accumulating.

Jack Holihan, who identified himself as a friend of Shiff’s, attended the P&Z meeting and said he wanted to know what was needed to resolve the matter. P&Z Chair Christopher Schaut walked him through the information required for a special permit. Holihan said they wanted to get the building “into the town’s good graces.” It was noted that the pending claim against Love Simply, LLC would be dealt with later. That day appeared to be Sept. 30 with the P&Z calling a special meeting over Zoom for a briefing in executive session with attorney Michael Zizka followed by a discussion and possible action on the pending claim.

First Selectman Matt Riiska and Assistant Fire Chief Matt Ludwig described the proposed changes to the firehouse design, which are focused on reducing the overall cost of the building. The design changes providing the most significant cost savings include eliminating the hose tower, the roof monitor and the separate three-bay garage.

The firehouse is in the Village District, and therefore any changes to the overall aesthetic of the building must be reviewed by P&Z. Riiska explained that the bids were approximately $2 million higher than the original estimate of $9.3 million. Riiska said he is waiting to hear how much will be saved from eliminating the hose tower, but he hopes it will be at least $400,000. With the design changes and eliminating the separate garage the total estimated price would be approximately $10 million. Riiska said he will ask the Board of Finance to approve an increase in the bond financing from $3.5 million to $4 million, which will require a town vote. Riiska highlighted the recent good news that U.S. Rep Jahana Hayes, D-Waterbury, obtained a $500,000 federal grant for the project.

Schaut asked about the change from a boardwalk to a gravel path to access City Meadow from the firehouse parking lot and whether it would be ADA accessible. Riiska said the change had been approved by the Inland Wetlands Agency the previous evening and that wheelchairs could navigate the hard-pack gravel being proposed. Ludwig noted that none of the changes reduced the functionality of the building.
Schaut explained that under the Village District review process, minor changes could be approved by the commissioners, but significant changes would require a modification of the special permit and a public hearing. Several commission members expressed reluctance to cause any further delay to the project. Although Schaut viewed the changes proposed as significant, he acknowledged that it appeared that the majority believed they were not. The design changes were approved.

The Manor House owners must post a performance bond for the full cost of the renovation during each phase of the work. An estimate of $64,000 for the initial landscaping work along the Maple Avenue side of the Manor House was presented. Schaut explained that P&Z has a right for a third-party review of the estimate to determine if it is reasonable and therefore ensure that the amount of the bond is adequate. The commissioners concluded that the $64,000 estimate was realistic and decided there was no need for a third-party review.

During the ZEO report, Sefcik said she had received a complaint about roosters. She noted that Norfolk requires two acres to have either a rooster or a peacock and the property in question is not large enough for a rooster.

The commission once again discussed the stock piling of construction materials on the firehouse property for the Aquarion water pipe replacement on Shepard Road. The materials are next to wetlands, and it was stated that the town had allowed the contractor working for Aquarion to use the site without getting a wetlands permit. Several commissioners urged Sefcik to address the matter and she expressed concern about the consequences of being too confrontational with town employees. The Shepard Road project has been completed, and there are no materials remaining by the firehouse. The Aquarion contractors are now working on Sunset Ridge Road and construction materials are being stored at the ball field on Mountain Road