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12/26/2017 11:00 PMBy any measure, 2017 was a big news year for Clinton. The year started with controversy about development (and developers) in town and ended with new leadership dominating the municipal elections.
Two major issues stayed in the headlines throughout the year (see “Clinton’s Big Stories for 2017: CVS and Charter Change”), but the year brought many other stories—some good news, some bad, and some tragic. The highlights of the year are below.
January
The cannon at the foot of Waterside Lane is restored after the cradle was reported as damaged. The repairs are completed by Casey Bell of The Department of Public Works (DPW).
On Jan. 9 then-police commissioner Kim Neri-Simoncini pleads not guilty of stealing a lawn sign illegally placed in front of her father’s property by the Clinton Taxpayers Association in August of 2016. A Facebook post by then-selectman Lynn Pinder showing her, Neri-Simoncini, then-selectman John Giannotti, and others holding the sign led to Neri-Simoncini being charged with larceny in the sixth degree.
The Friends of Clinton Youth & Family Services Bureau sponsors a dodgeball tournament to raise money for Partners in Community, to send Morgan students to the Youth to Youth Conference in Rhode Island. The conference focuses on leadership training, decision-making, and teen issues such as substance abuse.
February
The Clinton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors names Elizabeth Burton as executive director.
The Energy Committee announces a plan to put 33 solar panels on the roof of the Public Works Building. The work will be done at no cost to the town as the committee received $22,500 in various grants.
The town announces that it is seeking a 4.38 percent increase in its 2017-’18 budget. The total proposed operating budget for 2017-’18 is $18,050,792, with a requested increase of $757,892. The Board of Education announces a proposed operating budget of $32,757,815, an increase of $1,189,051 (3.77 percent). The majority of the increase stems from the rising cost of health insurance.
At the third annual Dancing with the Stars event presented by the Chamber of Commerce, Police Chief Vincent DeMaio and Raeleen St. Pierre win first place.
March
The new Morgan School hosts its first school performance in the new auditorium when the Music Department debuts Hello Dolly on March 16.
The Bike and Pedestrian Alliance of Clinton (BPAC) is granted permission by the Board of Selectmen (BOS) to begin work on building an extension of the Shoreline Greenway Trail for recreational activities in Clinton. The proposed full length of the trail in Clinton is about 5 ½ miles.
The BOS vote to reestablish the Police Department’s K-9 unit after it had been decommissioned in fall 2016 amid cuts to the state aid. Officer Jason Frey is chosen as the dog’s handler while Sergeant Jeremiah Dunn will oversee the program.
April
The BOS passes a motion proposed by Building Inspector Ed Smith to raise the fees on building permits; effective July 1, fees increase from $10 per every $1,000 of work to $25 per every $1,000 of work.
The PTA hosts a successful career night for students at The Morgan School. The event features more than 60 professionals across a range of professions who advise students on the ins and outs of their jobs.
Citing a lack of funding and manpower, the Clinton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors votes April 27 to cancel the third annual 2017 Clinton SummerFest and Fireworks that had been planned for August. The Chamber announces its intention to solicit volunteers to help bring back the event in 2018. On April 28, Burton resigns as executive director.
May
The town is forced to have two different budget referendums to try to pass the town and school budgets. At the first referendum on May 10, voters reject both the $17,687,459 town and $34,745,486 Board of Education proposed budgets for 2017-’18. With 3,313 voting, the town budget receives 1,542 in favor and 1,766 against. The Board of Education budget has more support, with 1,578 “Yes” votes to 1,725 “No”s. A $7,120,000 bond package for various construction projects around town does pass by a vote of 1,679 for and 1,587 against.
In the second budget referendum on May 24, voters reject the proposed town budget of $17,537,690, but pass the Board of Education budget of $34,420,452. With 3,252 voting in the second referendum, 1,613 votes for and 1,631 against the town budget, and 1,689 vote for and 1,554 against on the Board of Education side.
On May 8, the Chamber of Commerce names Ken Hartley it new executive director.
June
On June 7, with significantly less turnout than the first two referendums, voters finally approve the $17,507,690 town budget. A total of 2,737 cast a vote with 1,414 votes for and 1,323 against the budget. The overall budget is set at $51,958,142, a 3.13 increase over the last year’s budget. Due to anticipated cuts to state funding, the amount to be raised by taxes is $45,496,474, an increase of more than 10 percent. With the official budget for 2017-’18 set, the Board of Finance holds a meeting following the vote and sets the mill rate at 29.91, up 2.77 mills or 10.2 percent over last year’s rate.
On June 13, The Morgan School hold the first commencement ceremony at its new location as 128 members of the senior class receive their diplomas.
July
The Republican and Democratic Town committees (RTC and DTC) announce their endorsed slate for the town elections in November. The Republicans endorse incumbents Bruce Farmer for first selectman, along with John Giannotti and Carol Walter for the Board of Selectmen. Maurice “Kirk” Carr and Phil Sengle announce their plans to challenge the endorsed slate in a September primary, Carr for first selectman and Sengle for a spot on the Board of Selectmen.
The DTC nominates newcomers Christine Goupil for first selectman and Tim Guerra and Jack Scherban for the Board of Selectmen. Selectmen Willie Fritz and Lynn Pinder announce their intentions to compete in the primary. Pinder runs for first selectman, while Fritz runs for a spot on the Board of Selectmen.
Aegis Solar Energy installs the solar panels on the Public Works building as announced in February.
The Village at Mill Pond project that was scheduled to break ground in 2016 is dropped by developer Henry Resnikoff amid concerns over permits and funding.
August
On Aug. 1, Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) Water Permitting and Enforcement Division Director Oswald Inglese, Jr., reaches out to the Harbor News to say that Resnikoff had not addressed issues within the original Village at Mill Pond application sent to him earlier in 2017. On Aug. 16, Mill Pond LLC officially ends its contract with the town. Control and responsibility of the property reverts back to the town. Voters had originally approved the $2.8 million sale of the 38-acre property in February 2015, with the expectation the developer would replace the old school with apartments, offices, and retail, service, and restaurant uses.
September
On Sept. 12 both the DTC and RTC hold a primary in which newcomers overtake the incumbents. On the RTC side, Carr beats Farmer to become the nominee, 451 votes to 245. Walter and Sengle receive enough votes to be the nominees on the Board of Selectmen.
On the DTC side, Goupil wins over challenger Pinder, 604 votes to 288. Guerra and Scherban win the battle to be nominated to the Board of Selectmen over Fritz.
Following his primary loss, Farmer announces that he will still run in the Nov. 7 election as a write-in candidate.
In the early hours of Sept. 21, emergency personal respond to the Evergreen Park Complex after receiving numerous calls following a fire and a loud blast that is heard as far away as Branford. After an investigation, it is determined that the couple that lived in a mobile home in the complex had manipulated a gas line to end their lives. Both occupants of the home died days later.
October
The Department of Transportation presents plans for the improvements to the train station that will begin in March 2018. The improvements will include an up-and-over structure and increased parking, among other upgrades.
Moody’s Investor Services assigns Clinton, and other towns in the state, negative outlook. The firm cites uncertainty with the state budget and the possibility of cuts to the state aid Clinton receives as reason for the town’s inclusion on the list.
November
On Election Night, Nov. 7, Democrats win back control of town after losing it in 2015. Goupil becomes first selectman with 2,079 votes to Carr’s 1,558 and Farmer’s 221. Voters select Democrats Guerra and Scherban, along with Republicans Walter and Sengle, to the Board of Selectmen. Three ballot questions concerning potential changes to the town charter are defeated (see sidebar).
At a Nov. 1 Town Meeting, residents vote in favor of selling the Mill District School at 112 Glenwood Road to neighbors for a cost of $90,000. As a condition of the sale a 12-foot easement is included on the property to allow the town access to conduct repairs and maintenance on a storm drain.
December
The new BOS including Goupil, Walter, Scherban, Sengle, and Guerra, begins its two-year term.
On Dec. 3 Chamber of Commerce hosts the 22nd annual Christmas in Clinton event.
Kidz Konnection Shoreline Theater Academy officially moves into its new headquarters at the historic Academy Building located next to the First Church of Christ.