Here's an update on the latest episode on one of the most irresponsible development projects currently underway in Danbury.
As you know, I'm not the biggest fan of the BRT Corporation and their latest project on Hospital Ave only reinforces my dislike for the developer.
Back on November 30th, after hearing complaints from neighbors, I documented the water runoff and debris problem caused by the lack of proper sedimentation controls at the site on Hospital Ave.
Here's what I wrote on the subject:
As someone who lives in the area, I know a thing or two about the runoff that comes from Hospital Ave onto Osborne. That being said, yesterday, while there was a minor rain shower in the area, I decided to take a look at the BRT site and see if there was a difference in runoff....and lets just say that I was surprised with what I saw.
I have never, EVER seen so much runoff coming off Hospital Ave after such a minor rain shower, and one look at the reddish color of the water and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know where the runoff was coming from.
Watch it for yourself...
After posting the video, and continued complaints from the neighbors, the Democratic caucus of the city council, along with State Rep. Joe Taborsak held a press conference in front of the irresponsible development. At the presser, the residents were able to further express their frustration with BRT and City Hall (NOTE: The Republican city council members of represent the Hospital Ave (2nd ward council members Mike Halas and Charles Trombetta and 3rd ward members Jack Knapp and Joe Cavo) were NOT present at the presser and have yet to issue a comment on BRT's activities.
After the press conference, I took more pictures and video of the property to show BRT's complete incompetence in terms of maintaining proper sediment controls. When you look at the footage below, please take in mind that children have walked that sidewalk (in that condition) to and from Broadview Middle School...
After being exposed to the general public, it seems like the exposure of BRT's negligence has finally sounded alarm bells at City Hall (funny how a front page article and online coverage changes things). On Dec 29, one day after the press conference and at least one month since my post regarding the water run off problem, upon reading about the press conference on the front page of the News-Times (complete with pictures of the property), all hell broke loose at City Hall, which resulted in the Health, Housing, and Welfare department issuing BRT a long overdue cease and desist order.
Once faced with a order to get their act together, BRT took notice and fixed the retaining walls on the property.
The following photograph and video of the repairs on the site was taken last week.
In an effort to further defuse the situation, on Sunday Jan 24th at 1 PM Saturday January 30th at 1:00 PM at Broadview Middle School, a public meeting will be held where city officials and representatives from BRT will have a discussion with residents on Hospital Ave and parents of children who walk along the street to the middle school.
Does this mean all is forgiven with BRT…hardly so! The bitterness between the residents and neighbors go back to at least 2005 when the neighborhood rallied against the developer's first housing proposal. With all the efforts to took for BRT to do the right thing in terms of properly maintaining their sediment controls, it's fair to say that the neighbors will be on good terms with the developer any time soon.
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On September 26, 2007, ten plaintiffs filed suit in response to an arrest of aday laborers at a public park in Danbury, Connecticut. Plaintiffs amended their complaint on November 26, 2007.
The amended complaint states that plaintiffs sought to remedy the continued discriminatory and unauthorized enforcement of federal immigration laws against the Latino residents of the City of Danbury by Danbury's mayor and its police department.
Plaintiffs allege that the arrests violated their Fourth Amendment rights and the Connecticut Constitution because defendants conducted the arrests without valid warrants, in the absence of exigent circumstances, and without probable cause to believe that plaintiffs were engaged in unlawful activity. In addition, plaintiffs allege that defendants improperly stopped, detained, investigated, searched and arrested plaintiffs. Plaintiffs also allege that defendants violated their Fourteenth Amendment rights when they intentionally targeted plaintiffs, and arrested and detained them on the basis of their race, ethnicity and perceived national origin. Plaintiffs raise First Amendment, Due Process and tort claims.
Plaintiffs request declaratory relief, damages and attorneys fees.
On September 26, 2007, ten plaintiffs filed suit in response to an arrest of aday laborers at a public park in Danbury, Connecticut. Plaintiffs amended their complaint on November 26, 2007.
