New Haven Independent

Judge Approves Founders Village Settlement

by Marcia Chambers | July 13, 2009 6:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

In less than ten minutes, Superior Court Judge George Levine today approved a settlement of the Founders Village senior housing project to be built a few blocks from the Branford Town Green.

The long fought and often contentious project came to a peaceful conclusion after neighbors helped to achieve the final outcome, First Selectman Unk DaRos said afterward. “It has been quite an ordeal over the years,” DaRos said of the seven-year-long legal battle.

Stan Konesky, Jr., whose home on Ivy Street abuts the property, was a leader in the fight to preserve the mountain. Like other residents he attended scores of meetings, often waiting until midnight to get the chance to speak.

He thanked DaRos for his leadership and Vigliotti for his willingness to listen and the town’s Inland Wetlands and Planning & Zoning commissions, the town’s planners and the town’s engineers for providing accurate information and an articulate position over the years. He thanked Bill Horne “always present to protect land use and our environment.”

Founders Village became a campaign, he observed and in the end a victory “for the little guy.”

“I want to thank all the citizens that supported our campaign over the past seven years; taking their time to go to meetings, voicing their opinions, financial support and their confidence in me to facilitate our group’s effort. This was truly a team effort that culminated in a victory for all. It demonstrated how effectively town government can work and that more importantly the little guy can make a difference.”

DaRos and Alex Vigloitti, the developer, came together nearly a year ago, each concerned about mounting legal costs and each looking for a solution.

“The hillside,” which Vigliotti will donate to the town,”has been saved and will be turned into an urban park,’ DaRos said.

Konesky said the citizen’s watchdog group still had work to do.”We must make sure that all aspects of the development follow the specific guidelines set down. The Urban Park must be formulated to protect this land from future development.”

Vigliotti was not in court, but was represented by Beth Critton of Shipman & Goodwin. Branford Town Attorney William Clendenen Jr. and DaRos represented the town. Judge Levine, who set the deadlines for the town commissions to act, sits in New Britain.

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