Category: Business - Page 57

Sunday, October 18, 2026

House Approves Union Concessions Deal

By Keith M. Phaneuf

www.ctmirror.org

The House of Representatives today narrowly approved the state employees’ concessions deal that is expected to save as much as $1.57 billion this fiscal year and next combined.

The Democrat-controlled House voted 78-72 almost entirely along party lines to endorse the deal.

The concessions package, which workers ratified earlier this month, tentatively is scheduled to go before the Senate on July 31.

Meanwhile, House and Senate Republican leaders objected to today’s vote. They argued that nonpartisan analysts — who hadn’t received all documentation from Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s administration until last Friday — were unable to conduct a full review.

Friday, July 21st, 2017

GOP Leader Decries House Push for a Monday Vote on Union Deal

By Keith M. Phaneuf

www.ctmirror.org

While legislative voting on the proposed union concessions deal could begin Monday, the top Republican in the Senate said the House Democratic leadership was irresponsibly rushing action on a crucial agreement.

Legislators must be at the Capitol on Monday for a constitutionally mandated, one-day session to consider overriding measures vetoed this year by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.

“We will finalize decisions on any potential veto override votes at our caucus meeting Monday, as well as discuss the labor concession agreement, which we expect to vote on later that day,” House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz, D-Berlin, wrote in a statement.

But while Senate President Pro Tem Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven, also scheduled a vote, he’s waiting until July 31 to accommodate lawmakers awaiting more information on the deal.

Thursday, July 20th, 2017

Awash in Concerns, Water Tanks Decision Moved to September

By James Lomuscio

The Aquarion Water Company’s plan to replace a failing 1.5 million gallon North Avenue water tank with two 2.5 million gallon ones drew concerns from neighbors and commissioners at tonight’s Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) hearing.

Work was recently completed on a new pump station at the North Avenue Aquarion site. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Neighbors argued that Aquarion had not given them adequate notice, just three weeks, about a project that could negatively affect their home values and quality of life.

“I do want you to know that we feel as though we’ve been hit in the gut a little bit, and I want you to be aware,” Jodi Hardin of 58 North Ave. told Aquarion officials.

She and others said North Avenue already is busy because of Staples High School, which sits across from the current, 1956-built tank, and nearby Bedford Middle School.

Connecticut’s Private Sector Jobs Finally Rebound From ’08

By Mark Pazniokas

www.ctmirror.org

Connecticut’s private sector appears to have completed its painfully slow recovery from the Great Recession of 2008, as the state added 7,100 private-sector jobs last month on top of more than 5,000 in May, the state Department of Labor reported today. Unemployment, however, still rose a tenth of a point to 5 percent.

With private employment reaching 1,460,400, the state has regained 102 percent of its lost non-government jobs and entered an expansion for the first time in 88 months. With losses in the public-sector, which includes the state’s two tribal casinos, Connecticut still needs to gain 19,100 jobs for non-farm employment to return to overall pre-recession levels.

“June showed another sharp increase in payroll jobs over May, and private sector jobs have now completely recovered from the 2008 – 2010 employment recession, although these numbers are preliminary and subject to revision,” said Andy Condon, the DOL’s research director.

“Our unemployment data continues to show growth in the labor force and employment, indicating that workers are entering or rejoining the labor force and most are finding jobs.”

Comings & Goings: Vine Wine Room Closes

The Vine Wine Room, 190 Main St., has closed after less than a year in business. The cafe opened last August in the space formerly occupied by Luxe Wine Bar, which closed in April, 2016. According to an employee at its next door neighbor, Joe’s Pizza, the location is under new ownership but plans are undetermined. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Wednesday, July 19th, 2017

A Facelift for Former Save the Children Home

The building at 54 Wilton Road, former home of Save the Children, is getting a facelift, according to developer David Waldman, one of the owners. He said workers are removing the “exterior skins” from the center section. A new middle section will then be created that will house the lobby of the new building.
He said the construction is an “adaptive re-use” since the internal support structure remains. Future regulatory hearings will address the disposition of the remainder of the existing structure, Waldman said. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Tuesday, July 18th, 2017

State Employees Ratify Concessions by Wide Margin

By Keith M. Phaneuf and Mark Pazniokas

www.ctmirror.org

Unionized state employees have overwhelmingly approved a $1.57 billion package of concessions over two years, providing major savings to help close the state budget gap.

Union representatives at a news conference announcing ratification of a concessions agreement with the state. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Mark Pazniokas for CtMirror.org

The focus now shifts to a closely divided General Assembly, where Republicans say they will attempt to reject the agreement.

The State Employees Bargain Agent Coalition announced that more than 80 percent of the votes cast were in favor of accepting concessions that will freeze wages and increase contributions for health and pensions.

Bargaining units representing state police troopers and assistant attorneys general did not vote on the wage concessions.

Monday, July 17th, 2017

New Ops Manager Harris: ‘What Better Place’ Than Westport

By James Lomuscio

Perhaps the biggest question for Sara A. Harris, 37, the town’s new operations manager, is, “Why Westport?

Sara Harris: ‘honored and humbled’ to be in new position. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

She has held top posts with New York City’s Bloomberg administration from 2004 to 2013. She served in the Big Apple’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) managing more than $2 billion in city revenue.

In 2014, she became chief of staff for the city’s Department of Parks & Recreation’s Capital Division. There she oversaw a staff of about 400 responsible for the design and construction of all parkland projects.

In 2015, she returned the OMB, focusing on financial efficiencies and whether money was being well spent in different governmental areas.

Thursday, July 13th, 2017

Place Your Orders: Pearl Patio Cleared for New Serving Regs

Guests at The Pearl Restaurant’s patio at Longshore Club Park will soon be able to sit at the bar and tables and order food and drinks. The Westport Planning and Zoning Commission, by a 3 to 2 vote with 1 abstention, tonight approved new regulations for the restaurant. Until now, the patio bar had been a service bar only and no food could be ordered at the tables. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Comings & Goings: Villa del Sol to Post Road West

Villa del Sol Mexican restaurant at 36 Elm St. will be moving to 170 Post Road West with approval tonight from the Westport Planning and Zoning Commission. The restaurant had asked for the okay involving some parking issues at the new location, which has been empty since the May 2015 departure of Peachwave frozen yogurt. Developer David Waldman is purchasing 36 Elm St. as part of a land swap with the town that would see construction of a retail and residential building across the street behind Lux Bond & Green. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com