To the Editor:
Today I attended a rally in Norwalk in support of A. J. Penna & Son. The Pennas own a third-generation family business that employs 50 people. They are emergency contractors who serve CL&P, Aquarion Water, and the towns of Norwalk and Westport, among others.
The CT Department of Transportation wants to replace the 120-year old Walk Railroad Bridge in Norwalk at a cost of roughly $1 billion.
As part of the plan, they want to take the Penna property as well as the property of 16 others, by eminent domain.
The price being offered as compensation to the Pennas is virtually nothing. Alternatives to this costly plan are being dismissed out of hand. The Pennas’ small but strategically vital business is being threatened.
Why am I writing about a situation in Norwalk? The Pennas’ main business is in Westport, our town depends on their services, and what is happening in Norwalk is happening in Westport too.
The Cribrai Bridge and the Saugatuck RR Bridge are both scheduled to be repaired or replaced.
The CT Department of Transportation held a public hearing a few months ago, where they admitted that traffic issues in Saugatuck are not caused by the Cribari Bridge, but rather an intersection that needs to be improved.
We can upgrade the Cribari Bridge by repairing Pier 2, and making other small improvements.
However, the state opted to focus on the most expensive plan, which carries a $40 million price tag, and would result in semi trucks from I-95 detouring into Saugatuck. Furthermore, during the hearing, at which I testified, a state employee uttered the dreaded words eminent domain.
While we all can agree we need to fix our infrastructure, the state must take into consideration less costly options.
The state must also consider the families and business that they are threatening with eminent domain. The outright taking of personal property is never a good policy.
Cathy Walsh
Chair, Westport Planning & Zoning Commission
Republican candidate for 136th Assembly District
Westport
They opt on the most expensive plan and eminent domain b/c it’s the easy way out and the most profitable for them, in the long run. Then they own prime real estate to top it off, so it’s a smart play on their part in lieu of investing time and being creative w/ a solution. As to taking businesses, that’s not their problem which is why we the people have to fight them each and every time this comes up. If we don’t, it will continue ad infinitum and we the people (and wonderful generational companies as the Pennas’) will continue to be the losers. I sincerely hope that a solution in both situations can be found.
I agree with Cathy. Why threaten an old, established and well respected business when there are practical alternatives to eminent domain?
Larry Weisman