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Decision Not Made Arbitrarily

Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr., just chastised members of the Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC) and a member of the Town Council for their vote and opinion on an application [Aug. 18 letter “Ignored the Will of Residents”]. First off, the application wasn’t for a “rooming house,” but for a bed & breakfast, two completely different definitions. The mayor does though seem to have no problems with a rehab or support group home whose operation involves housing for released criminals, as well as drug and alcohol recovery people, but doesn’t want a B&B with high-end customers.

The mayor seems to feel that decisions made by the PZC must now be made based on public opinion and not statutory law. Remember the public opinion on the old high school? How did that work out?

Anyone who knows PZC Chairman Peter Cianelli and how decisions are made knows these decision are not made arbitrarily and without guidance. The PZC has two important staff members: its attorney and the zoning enforcement officer. If the mayor read the minutes to the public hearing, he would see there was extensive back and forth conversation between these two in how to proceed.

If there were legal concerns, one would think it would be brought up by one of these staff members. Also in the audience was the town attorney himself. If something was amiss isn’t it his obligation to bring it to the attention of the commission? He said nothing. Put the blame were it belongs.

Richard Poulton

East Haven

Editor’s note: The approved Aug. 3 PZC item in question was the Application for Special Exception: 2 Bedroom Rooming/Boarding House.