Category: Business - Page 125

Sunday, October 18, 2026

House Speaker: Make CT Colleges and Hospitals Pay Property Taxes

By Keith M. Phaneuf and Arielle Levin Becker

www.ctmirror.org

Connecticut has long spared most colleges and hospitals from local property taxes and reimbursed their home communities with state grants worth a fraction of the lost tax revenue.

House Speaker J. Brendan Sharkey, D-Hamden, says it’s time to effectively reverse that. The speaker’s proposal would subject the nonprofits to property taxes. And colleges and hospitals—not municipalities—could seek state grants to offset a portion of the cost.

Sharkey said the proposal is rooted in concerns about local taxes and the loss of taxable property as hospitals and colleges buy up real estate to use as outpatient facilities or faculty offices. Local taxpayers can’t afford to fund the police, fire and other services needed to support the nonprofit institutions without more help, he said.

“We already rely so heavily on the property tax,” Sharkey said Tuesday. “When they lose so much revenue from major institutions like this, the costs outweigh the benefits.”

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Wednesday, February 26th, 2014

Malloy Seeks Tax Relief to Trigger $500M UTC Expansion

By Keith M. Phaneuf

www.ctmirror.org

United Technologies Corp. would launch a major $500 million investment in its research, training and corporate facilities later this year in exchange for $400 million in tax relief over the next two decades under a deal Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced today.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and UTC Chairman Louis Chenevert announce major expansion deal at Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Ctmirror.org photo

The agreement, which requires legislative approval, also requires UTC to keep the corporate headquarters of its two main subsidiaries – East Hartford-based Pratt & Whitney and Sikorsky Aircraft of Stratford – for 15 and 5 years, respectively.

And while it came days after Sikorsky announced 600 manufacturing layoffs, Malloy hailed the deal as the best chance to preserve the aerospace giant’s knowledge base and grow jobs in this field in Connecticut in the future.

“Connecticut has long led the world when it comes to the aerospace industry,” said Malloy, who announced the deal at Pratt’s Museum Hangar. “We will ensure that we remain a leader for years to come. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, one that will make sure we are keeping and creating good-paying jobs with good benefits – not just in the UTC companies, but also in the hundreds of aerospace supply chain companies throughout the state and the region.”

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Tuesday, February 25th, 2014

Comings & Goings: JR’s Changes Hands

By Dave Matlow

Jeff Aricola, owner of JR’s Deli & Grill, 265 Riverside Ave., said today he is turning the business over to new owners by the end of March.

Jeff Arciola and sister Pam at the restaurant today. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

He said they are Lou Prumotl, the primary investor, and Eric Johnson, who will manage the eatery and the weenie mobile with Arciola’s help through May.

Prumonti is not new to the restaurant business, said Arciola. He said he currently owns three others—Sunrise Grill and Valentino in Norwalk, and a restaurant along the marina in New Rochelle.

Arciola, 44, assumed the ownership of JR’s Hot Dog Stand, as it was formerly known, in 2003 when he purchased it from his cousins Carolyn and Junior Bieling, who owned the iconic site since 1970.

Monday, February 24th, 2014

Comings & Goings: Danise Talbot Designs to Riverside Ave.

Danise Talbot Design has opened at 263 Riverside Ave. According to owner Talbot, the store offers “an eclectic mix of furniture, hangings, jewelry, and accent pieces along with professional interior design services.” According to Talbot, a native of Westchester County, she operated a family owned business called the Westport Jewelry Boutique and later worked at Mitchells of Westport, specializing in jewelry. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Same Pizza, New Location

Without missing a slice, Westport Pizzeria opened today at its new location at 143 Post Road East. The store, which closed its 107 Main St. location Sunday night after 45 years, had a steady stream of customers checking out the new digs. CLICK TO ENLARGE) Bob Eckman for WestportNow.com

Westport Pizzeria: Heartfelt Memories and Optimism

By James Lomuscio

It was about 10 p.m. today when Carmelo Mioli walked into Westport Pizzeria, which he has owned for 45 years on Main Street, for the last time. He walked slowly, taking in memories, getting choked up with each step.

Brothers Joe (l) and Carmelo Mioli tonight at the new home of Westport Pizzeria, 143 Poat Road East. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

He stopped near the pizza oven. After hundreds of thousands of pies over the years, the last one came out at 9:15 p.m. He stared at the oven, gently tapped it a few times, and then he welled up.

“This is too emotional for me,” said Mioli, known for years around town as Mel.

He and his brother Joe first opened the place at 107 Main St. on Columbus Day 1968, serving up pizza and Italian dinners to generations of Westporters.

Saturday, February 22nd, 2014

Moving Day for Francois du Pont Jewelers

It was moving day today for Francois du Pont Jewelers after almost 32 years on Main Street. The store will reopen April 1 at 6 Sconset Square. The jewelry store and neighboring Westport Pizzeria are moving to make way for Athleta, a division of GAP Inc., which is also taking the space on the other side of Francois du Pont Jewelers formerly occupied by Kate Spade. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jaime Bairaktaris for WestportNow.com

Friday, February 21st, 2014

Final Days on Main Street

Black bag pizza warmers sit on the counter at Westport Pizzeria today as the countdown to closing was under way after 45 years at 107 Main St. The Westport pizza institution will close Sunday and reopen Monday at its new home at 143 Post Road East. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dve Matlow for WestportNow.com

Thursday, February 20th, 2014

New Home of Westport Pizzeria is Ready

UPDATE (changes reopening date) Westport Pizzeria sells its last slice on Sunday at its 45-year location at 107 Main St. before reopening Monday at its new location at 143 Post Road East (above). Owner Mel Mioli said he is looking forward to the move as it will allow for an expanded menu and the addition of wine and beer. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Wednesday, February 19th, 2014

Du Pont Jewelers Donates Safe to Police Department

Noel du Pont, owner of Francois du Pont Jewelers, 105 Main St., said he is donating the store’s security safe to the Westport Police Department, which, he explained, plans to relocate it for use in its evidence room. The jeweler closes its business on Main Street on Friday and will reopen at 6 Sconset Square on April 1. Reminiscing about the origin of the safe, du Pont said his father, Francois, acquired the safe for his Bridgeport jewelry shop in the 1950s. In 1975, when the business relocated to Westport in the Dickinson Building on Post Road East across from the old main post office, the safe was relocated to that space. Then, in March 1982, after the Dickson Building subsequently burned down, the store relocated to its current location in August 1982. “The safe is a gift to the town,” he said. “We’re all happy. A piece of us will always be in the town now.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com