File Photo
Claudette Robinson-Thorpe said “no” five times — and plans to fix bridges across town, clear out potential new Newhallville park land, and position New Haven for state development money have been delayed as a result.
Robinson-Thorpe (pictured), a Beaver Hills alder, cast those five no votes at Tuesday night’s Board of Alders meeting at City Hall. She cast those lone votes to deny “unanimous consent” singlehandedly to five proposals that otherwise would have received approval — except for one proposal, which will come up at a hastily-arranged “emergency” meeting for Thursday evening to meet a legal deadline.
Now these projects are on hold until at least the next board meeting later this month.
Robinson-Thorpe offered no reason for the five denials at either a public caucus before the meeting or at the meeting itself. She left the aldermanic chambers immediately following the meeting and failed to return subsequent calls seeking comment. She has been at odds with the board majority since failing to win a leadership position in January.
Two proposals would authorize Mayor Toni Harp to sign agreements with the state Department of Transportation to initiate work on the Crown and George Street bridges over the tunnel that runs below Church Street. Another would allow for the use of federal money to fix the Wilmot Road Bridge over Wintergreen Brook.
At the caucus before the full board meeting Tuesday night, Board of Alders President Jorge Perez expressed concern that the city would close the bridges for an extended period of time instead of beginning construction immediately after board approval. “We want assurances that if the bridge is closed, they will start work right away,” he said. City aldermanic liaison Joseph Rodriguez offered the assurance.
Aliyya Swaby Photo
Also among the set of delayed proposals was a resolution to extend the City and Town Development Act, which allows the city to apply for state funding for development projects. Connecticut is generally restrictive on enabling legislation for development, said Economic Development Administrator Matthew Nemerson (pictured). The act allows cities to “attract developers by not needing to go to the state” for basic legislation.
“It would be both embarrassing and damaging if we didn’t have this set of options,” he said.
The resolution would require a referendum to pass to the Board of Alders and ultimately appear on the November ballot.
Update: The city faces a Sept. 4 approval deadline to put the matter on the November ballot. So the board has called an emergency meeting for 6:30 Thursday night.
Barbara Vereen Photo
Newhallville and Hamden neighbors will now have to wait at least two weeks for the city to accept federal help on clearing land for a new park at the edge of Beaver Pond Park by Cherry Ann Street. Neighbors (pictured) petitioned to turn an overgrown piece of land into a safe space for the neighborhood’s children, who otherwise play on the street. (Read about that here.)
City parks director Rebecca Bombero said the department is working with the community to prioritize the next steps. By the end of the fall, they hope to finish clearing the area and start work on a circular pathway.
The department already has $170,000 allocated to the park.
I have a question WHO would be doing the bridge work?? Same people that are doing the state street bridge??? what was it suppose to cost? 5 mill? and now at 25 Mill...and 5 years later it is still CLOSED!!!!!! And I am sure they promised the moon and the stars....this disaster should be a guideline before any other bridge projects are ever taken on.
http://www.nhregister.com/general-news/20140810/5-years-in-frustrated-new-haven-businesses-await-state-street-bridge
just say'n