Residents Petition for Town Meeting on Land Swap

WESTBROOK - Inaction on a proposed land swap by First Selectman John Raffa has prompted more than 100 residents to sign petitions requesting a town meeting.

The petition is being supported by State Senator Eileen Daily, 33rd district, and State Representative Brian O'Connor 35th district.

The meeting's purpose would be for the town to apply for $1.5 million allocated by the Connecticut Bond Commission through Public Act 05-279 Section 24.

The petition recommends the town secure a design consultant to create detailed specifications and estimates for the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) garage on Route 145, as well as a contractor for rehabilitation construction.

O'Connor said the submitted petitions would require a town meeting within the next three weeks but said he is unsure of the consequences if the town refuses to hold the meeting.

The petition cover letter states it will be forwarded to Town Attorney John Webber for "a ruling as to the validity of this document."

"To date, Westbrook's administration has done virtually nothing to affect the property transfer or even apply for final approval of the bonding, holding hostage what we view as an essential ingredient necessary for Westbrook's future economy vitality," Daily said.

The petition does not call for a release of the land swap report which was submitted by the Train Station/DOT Ad Hoc Committee on June 5 to Raffa who refused to release it to the public despite oral and written requests from the Pictorial Gazette and several residents.

"Many of the questions or concerns people may have about this land swap could be answered if there were a public meeting or if the report submitted by the ad hoc train station committee were available to the public," O'Connor said.
Westbrook resident Chris Elhert claims Raffa said he won't release the report, even if it is requested through the Freedom of Information Act, because of the act's exemption regarding property appraisals.