NO VOTE ON RTM FATE
The Groton town Council met last night to discuss proposed changes by the Charter Revision Commission regarding alterations to town government. Councilor Deb Peruzotti said she’s curious why it’s felt that the present Representative Town Meeting system needs fixing. She feels the system of government may need some tweaking but essentially works well. No vote was taken on the proposed changes, which include eliminating the RTM.
UNCAS LEAP PARK MOVES ALONG
A proposal to transform the Uncas Leap Heritage Area in Norwich into a public park has taken another step forward. Representatives from the consulting firm Milone and MacBroom presented the final draft of the master plan for the 1-point-2 acre site last night at Slater Auditorium. Historical consultant Regan Miner says many people have expressed a strong desire for easier access to the river from Uncas Leap so kayak access is included. The draft plan also includes the creation of a small amphitheater, an overlook location giving people a view of Yantic Falls, and a steep walking path leading up to the park. Miner says the city already has 500-thousand dollars on hand to begin the multi-phase development. The project still needs city approval.
ROGERS RETIRES
Connecticut State Trooper Jeff Rogers, who was stationed at Troop E in Montville, and the subject of an internal investigation has retired. Rogers, in a Facebook post, described Sandy Hook Elementary School as a “slaughter house” and compared the former state medical examiner to a butcher. Rogers was subject of an internal investigation into whether he violated the department’s social media policy.
BUILDING SOLD
The former Laura’s Landing building, long vacant and dilapidated at 34 West Broad Street in Pawcatuck has been sold to a California man with ties to the region. For more than two decades, town officials had tried to get Frederick Blackall to rehabilitate the building or sell it, without success. First Selectman Rob Simmons said the building didn’t meet the standards of the town’s current blight ordinance. The new owner, Philip Becker intends to renovate the top floor of the three-story building and live there, renovate the second floor for residential use and use the bottom floor for commercial use, possibly a restaurant.
BUS CONFRONTATION DECISION UPHELD
New London’s interim school superintendent has upheld a decision to reassign a school bus driver and a school bus aide, because of an exchange they had with a school district administrator who had apparently passed the bus drivers stopped school bus, and then stopped her car and stepped onto the bus to confront the bus driver. The union representing the driver and aide, meanwhile, has renewed its calls to reinstate the couple and reprimand the administrator. A video of the incident has surfaced and “The Day” has a pending Freedom of Information request for the video and documents related to the incident.
