A Clarification On Public Comments at P&Z

There was a bit of email discussion today about whether public comments would be accepted about certain item agendas for the Planning and Zoning Commission.

According to city planner, Bill Warner, public commentary on any item for which a "public hearing" is scheduled takes place only at that public hearing.

Public hearings are required for all special exceptions, all zone changes, and all subdivision requests.

So, for tonight's meeting these items will not be up for public comment, but will be scheduled for a public hearing at another (likely the next) P&Z:

- Proposed special exception for Sober House at 133 South Main
- Proposed site plan review to construct a pharmacy with a special exception for a drive-thru at the intersection of Main Street Extension and East Main
- Proposed lot subdivision located in Home Depot Plaza
- Proposed special exception for definition of family for 27 Bacon Avenue (sober house)
- Proposed special exception to allow a cafe (The Shadow Room) in Metro Square

And while a special exception is not required for the Buckeye Pipeline, they have requested one.

Inland Wetlands Tables Buckeye Pipeline

In a very long Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission meeting Wednesday night in Council Chambers, the commission considered testimony during public hearings on the Buckeye Pipeline and the Algonquin Pipelines which are proposed to deliver low sulfur fuel oil, and gas, respectively, to the Kleen Energy plant in Maromas.

After three and a half hours of testimony from neighbors of the Kleen energy plant and the proposed pipeline, and representatives from Kleen Energy and Buckeye, the commission voted to table further discussion until more information about wetland crossings in the plan could be obtained.

During testimony, Earle Roberts, a neighbor to the plant, and a member of the Common Council asked several questions and suggested alternate routing. Steve Shorey, of Buckeye, and William Corvo, of Kleen Energy, explained the route selection process, and defended the reliability of the pipeline, the methodology of laying the pipe, and the route itself.

The plan calls for horizontal, directional drilling to place the 12 inch diameter pipeline under some wetlands crossings, such as Sumner Brook, and to excavate a traditional trench for the wetland in question which is on property off Bow Lane.

During the testimony, board chair, Joseph Carta, demonstrated some defensiveness about the process of the application, saying that the Common Council should not have heard testimony, or voted on the pipeline, until the Inland Wetlands commission had held its hearing and made recommendations and decisions. Mr. Corvo explained that the discussions with the Common council were relative to easements, not wetlands, and that their approval was also subject to IWWC approval.

In other business, the panel voted to approve an application to build a gas pipeline to the Kleen Energy plant from the NRG plant within the existing paved roadway on River Road.

They also voted to extend an application by Glenn Russo, previously granted, for a multi-family housing complex on Newfield Street. They also approved an application by Xavier High School to build tennis courts off Randolf Road.

In a final bit of new business, the commission examined a wetlands violation at an apartment complex on Highland Avenue owned by Ted & Carl Charton, where the owners reinforced a stream bank without a permit. The commission decided against punitive action, but directed staff to notify the owners of the violation, and to issue a warning that any further activity in the wetland requires city approval.

Council Takes Up Kleen Energy

(Buckeye Pipeline's Steve Shorey testifies while Kleen Energy's William Corvo listens.)

In normal procedure, the Common Council approval of the Buckeye Pipeline, which will carry low sulfur fuel oil to the Kleen Energy plant, would happen after the plans were reviewed by the Planning and Zoning and Wetlands Commissions.

However, those reviews were postponed due to inclement weather, and representatives from Kleen Energy and Buckeye, testified before the Common Council about the plan to build a pipeline from just North of the Arrigoni Bridge, to the Kleen Energy plant in Maromas.

Details of the plan as presented to the Economic Development Commission can be found here.

Kleen Energy project manager William Corvo explained that the pipeline would operate under low pressure, and would fill storage tanks at the plant where Kleen Energy would only burn oil in the case where there was a problem with burning natural gas. He explained that Kleen Energy and Buckeye extended the pipeline 1.7 miles to avoid an important Middletown acquifer.

Bow Lane neighbors, who testified that the pipeline would be build adjacent to their property, explained that they were worried about contamination of their wells.

Jack Herczakowski, a Bow Lane resident, explained to the Council that he was worried about his water and septic systems.

"I think the Council should allow Planning and Zoning and Inland Wetlands to comment before you make your decision," he said.

"The plant was sold as ne plus ultra clean energy" neighbor Stan Dapkus testified. "And now it looks as if it's going to be run as an oil plant."

Corvo, and Buckeye engineer Steve Shorey, explained that the plant would burn natural gas as planned, and that the oil line was necessary to keep the plant online, and available to the grid, in the case that natural gas was not available to be used as fuel.

Council members noted the concerns of neighbors, and asked about alternate routes, but ultimately supported the pipeline in the understanding that if Planning and Zoning made alterations in the route, that it would have to be considered by the council again, if those alterations created changes in the contract with the city.

Norpaco Identified as Manufacturer for Bysiewicz Site

Dean Spilka, president of Norpaco Gourmet Foods, appeared before the Economic Development Committee and presented his vision for a new manufacturing plant on a city industrial park site officially called Liberty Park, known locally as the Bysiewicz property. The property in question is one which the Army Corps of Engineers has identified as a possible site for its Army Reserve Training Center.

In November we reported here that the owner of the property was seeking incentives for an unnamed manufacturer to build a plant in Middletown. The owner also sought incentives to allow private development as opposed to development by the Army. The property-owner incentives were approved by the Common Council in December.

On Monday night Spilka, president of Norpaco, and Stephen Stachelek, Vice President of Finance for the company, appeared to talk about expanding their operation in Middletown. Currently located in New Britain, Norpaco produces bottled hot peppers stuffed with salami and provolone (known as Pepper Delights), poppers, panini rolls, pesto, Italian salads and other gourmet Italian specialty foods.

Founded in Norwich in 1946, the company moved to Bristol, and then New Britain and has grown into a $13.8 million company with 100 full-time employees. They have outgrown their current plant, and are looking to construct a 50,000 square foot building, expandable to 70,000 square feet, with the potential for 140 and which will bring $80,000 in taxes to Middletown annually.

The company is seeking a designation in the Urban Jobs Program which will bring them a temporary 80% tax abatement, half covered by the state, half by the city. They are also looking for assistance with relocation funds.

"It's a huge financial package with lots of relocation," Spilka told the commission. "I could have moved the operation to South America or Mexico, but that's not what we do."

Spilka and Stachelek also told an Eye correspondent that they would be willing to consider green methods for their new plant, and would encourage the city to create public transport for workers to the site.

The commission approved the plan which will come before the Common Council at its February meeting.

Also at the meeting, Jacqueline Williams and John DeSena of JDS Holdings were given approval to approach the Common Council for purchase a blighted property at 82 North Main Street. DeSena has improved two other blighted properties in town, oneat 471 Washington Street and one at 1359 Newfield. The Council must approve the conveyance of blighted property as designated by city ordinance.

Representatives from Kleen Energy and Buckeye Pipeline explained to the commission how a low-sulfur, low-pressure oil pipeline is being proposed from just below the Arrigoni Bridge to the Kleen Energy site in Maromas. The pipeline will be built along deKoven Drive, River Road, Eastern Road, Bow Lane and then through city property before it reaches the Kleen Energy site. Buckeye Pipeline needs approval for temporary easements as it drills and digs and permanent easements for the pipeline.

Kleen Energy's William Corvo explained that Kleen Energy will produce electricity using natural gas, unless there is an emergency, or economic hardship in using gas. Corvo said that the plant will be built to a standard of environmental integrity which will emit the lowest particulate matter in the nation, 2.5 parts per million as opposed to the current standard of 10 parts per million.

The committee approved the easements which will be considered by the Common Council. Planning and Zoning and Inland Wetlands must approve other portions of the Buckeye site plan.

The meeting ended with a discussion of shovel-ready projects. Newly seated state representative Matt Lesser attended in the interest of getting attention for Middletown's projects when the Obama administration distributes economic incentive money for infrastructure projects.

The Eye published a list of preferred projects as compiled by the mayor and staff, which was sent to Governor Jodi Rell for consideration.

"The governor's parameter for 'shovel-ready' set the bar too high," commission chair Gerry Daley said.

"The legislature doesn't necessarily agree that the money is going to go to the governor without some input," Lesser added.

Commission member David Bauer added that the state has a history of siphoning off project dollars for grants like the one being considered.

"The state takes an unconscionable level of the funds right off the top," he said. "And we don't see the value the state's involvement adds."

When asked by Lesser to identify the top three projects for consideration the commission agreed that North End redevelopment was the highest priority, with Westfield water improvement and improvements to Industrial Road following closely behind.

The committee also voted to recommend the creation of a separate parking department, and to consider extending the contract for city lobbyists Panuzio & Giordano.