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12/26/2023 12:33 PM2023 was a year that brought a lot to Old Saybrook. There were controversial moments, highs, lows, and everything in between. The highlights from the year are below:
January
Residents are shocked and angered on the morning of Jan. 9 as flyers from a group the Anti-Defamation League classifies as a neo-Nazi hate group are found distributed in some Old Saybrook neighborhoods.
Nearly 70 people gather on Old Saybrook's Main Street on Martin Luther King Jr. Day for reflection and the unveiling of a new community mural celebrating the town's diversity. The observance is organized by representatives of Old Saybrook March for Justice and the Public Art for Racial Justice Education.
A grant application to the State of Connecticut that would have allowed for the redevelopment of the vacant Saybrook Point and the former Dock and Dine property is denied.
February
At its meeting on Feb. 6, the Zoning Commission votes 3-2 to approve an application from Fine Fettle Dispensary to open a retail marijuana store at 233 Boston Post Road. The approval is a scaled-down version of a similar application the commission denied in 2022.
The Police Commission votes on Feb. 13 to fire Old Saybrook Police Officer Josh Zarbo, who was arrested in 2022 and placed on administrative leave. Zarbo was charged with computer crimes in the third degree after he allegedly abused department equipment to determine the name of a woman with the intent to follow her on the social media site Instagram. Zarbo appeals the firing.
On Feb. 23, a lawsuit is filed seeking to overturn the Zoning Commission’s approval of Fine Fettle’s retail cannabis application based on allegations that the commission acted “acted illegally, arbitrarily, unreasonably” in approving the application,” according to the complaint. The complaint is filed by Christopher Cestaro and Strategic Acquisitions -GM, LLC. Cestaro owns Ocean Performance, a boating service center at 280 Boston Post Road. Meanwhile, George Mark McCarthy is listed as the principal for Strategic Acquisitions. McCarthy is the owner of Beach Babies Learning Center, a daycare located at 210 Boston Post Road.
March
An application that would have allowed for the construction of a new shopping plaza with a 20,000-square-foot grocery store and two drive-thru fast-food restaurants on Spencer Plain Road is withdrawn by the applicant, SPR Oasis.
The 26th annual Chili Fest returns to Main Street on March 4.
At a public hearing on March 7, Old Saybrook residents receive a presentation on the current status of the proposed town budget.
After several months of work, the Police Commission unanimously votes at its March 27 meeting to adopt a new bylaw concerning public comment that allows for both positive and negative comments to be made at Police Commission hearings.
April
On April 16 a team headed by Richard Simon of Shoreline Diving announces that they have found the wreck of the Defender, an early 20th century submarine that was sunk in the deep waters off the coast of Old Saybrook in the '40s.
At a meeting on April 4, the Board of Finance (BOF) votes to forward a proposed budget of $50,276,744 to referendum on May 9. The proposed budget combines spending requests for both the town and the Board of Education (BOE) and represents a $1,899,041 or 3.90% increase over the current year’s budget. The proposed education budget is $28,829,506, a $1,356,165 or a 4.90% increase. The proposed town budget is $21,447,238, a $542,876 or a 2.60% increase. Under the current proposed budget, the mill rate would increase by .38 mills to 20.46 mills.
May
Voters overwhelmingly approve the proposed budgets. The town budget is approved with 239 votes in favor and 37 against. The education budget passes by a margin of 239 in favor to 34 opposed.
June
On June 3, The Old Saybrook Police Department holds an anonymous gun and ammunition turn-in to get unwanted or illegal guns and ammo off the streets.
At a Board of Selectmen (BOS) meeting on June 20, the BOS unanimously votes to appropriate $89,910 to hire a consultant to help upgrade the Mariner’s Way section of town. Camoin Associates is chosen as the consultant.
At a special town meeting on June 27, voters approve spending $72,500 for an operational assessment consultant to assess the workflow and staffing at Town Hall.
On the rainy evening of June 14, the Old Saybrook High School Class of 2023 celebrates their graduation.
The inaugural Celebrate Saybrook Street Party is held on June 25 to great success.
July
On July 11, the BOS is given a presentation on the next phase of the Main Street Connections Park Construction which includes a sidewalk that connects from Main Street to Lynde Street, two bocce courts, benches, and shade trees.
Following a presentation from Police Chief Michael Spera on the serious concerns about the low number of police officers in town, the Police Commission votes to ask First Selectman Carl Fortuna to negotiate new incentives with the police union they hope will attract new hires and retain current officers.
August
According to an Aug. 8 article by Meghan Friedmann in the New Haven Register, in June, the town settled a lawsuit that paid Edward Riccio $249,500 after he says he was bitten by an old Saybrook Police dog and beaten by two former Old Saybrook Police Officers in 2019. The defendants in the case, former officers Tyler Schulz and Justin Hanna, as well as the Town of Old Saybrook, denied “any and all liability” as part of the settlement.
Charges of sexual assault and breach of peace stemming from a 2022 arrest of Old Saybrook Public Works Director Lawrence Bonin are dropped.
At a meeting on Aug. 17, the Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Commissions (IWWC) votes to continue a public hearing over an application to build a Whole Foods at the former Benny’s Plaza. Several Chalker Beach Improvement Association members express concern about potential water pollution due to construction on the property.
The Parks and Recreation Department holds a celebration to mark the opening of Cedar Swamp Disc Golf Course at Clark Community Park.
September
A 38-foot cigarette boat collides with the Old Saybrook breakwater, leading to the hospitalization of four people.
The IWWC holds a second public hearing over the application to build a Whole Foods.
On Sept. 27, Old Saybrook Superintendent Jan Perruccio announces she will retire from her position in March 2024. A search firm will be used to help the BOE find a replacement.
The 59th annual Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce Arts and Crafts Festival will return to the Town Green on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.
October
Despite being reinstated into his position on Oct. 10, an Oct. 19 press release announces that Larry Bonin will retire effective Oct. 25.
At its meeting on Oct. 19, the IWWC votes to approve the Whole Foods application.
November
On Nov. 1, a representative from Branford-based Thimble Island Brewery announces interest in opening a new location in Old Saybrook at 75 Main Street, which formerly housed Gargano Pasta and Italian Market.
On Election Day, Nov. 7, Old Saybrook voters make their voices heard at the polls. Not much change at the top of the ballot as the BOS of Republican First Selectmen Carl Fortuna, Republican Scott Giegerich, and Democrat Matt Pugliese ran unopposed this year, but voters do decide several down-ballot races.
Old Saybrook Boys soccer wins its 5th consecutive state championship after beating the Shepaug Valley Spartans 4-1 in the Class S State Championship on Nov. 19. With the victory and a fifth consecutive title in hand, Old Saybrook becomes the second team in Connecticut high school history to win five titles in a row in boys’ soccer.
An update on the findings of the economic development study of the Route 1 East/Mariner’s Way corridor is given on Nov. 27. Members of the public express a desire for housing and restaurants, while others audibly argued against adding housing due to noise and the lack of sewers in the area. Besides retail space, lodging, office space, or hybrid industrial space are highlighted as potential uses for the area.
December
The third annual Old Saybrook Starlight Festival is held, but rain forces the event to move inside.
At a BOF meeting on Dec. 5, the board votes to approve a recommendation from the Police Commission to appropriate $98,790 to hire the Police Executive Research Forum to conduct a study of the police department to see if proposed incentives will help fix the department’s staffing issues. The move will need to be approved by residents at a town meeting in early 2024.
On Dec. 7 at 6 p.m., for the first time ever in Old Saybrook, a menorah is lit, and a celebration takes place to mark the first night of Hanukkah. The idea came to fruition thanks to Old Saybrook resident Elizabeth Meyer.
William “Bill” Claffey is selected to be the next director of Public Works.