Sam Romeo

Recent Posts

Frank Talk about Racism Trips up State Rep at “Mansion Tax” Hearing

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Last week, the bill on everyone’s mind was SB1024. Over 340 people signed up to speak at a CGA Planning & Development Committee hearing on March 15, which focused on SB1024, aka “Desegregate CT bill.” The legislation would require all Connecticut towns to change zoning to allow more multi-family housing based on the premise that it would lead to more affordable housing. This week the bill that is top of mind is SB1068, also called the “mansion tax.” A public hearing on Monday drew 67 people to testify. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Government, Real Estate, Charles Chiusano, Cristin McCarthy Vahey, Doug Dubitsky, Fred Camillo, Kimberly Fiorello, Laura Devlin

Out-Of-Town Drivers Cited for Aggressive Driving on Greenwich Ave during RTM SOMR Testimony on Restoring Officers to Directing Traffic

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During testimony on a RTM SOMR to restore police officers to direct traffic on Greenwich Ave, residents pointed to New Yorkers speeding and disobeying traffic rules, as well as a resurgence in skateboarding on the Avenue. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Government, Police & Fire, Transportation, Alyssa Keleshian, bicycle police, Bill Lewis, Brian Raney, bump outs

Forum on Affordable Housing Focuses on Local Control, Property Rights and Unintended Consequences of Future State Legislation

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The hosts and panelists said they feared the legislation would diminish the authority of local zoning boards and give the State of Connecticut significantly more control of local zoning. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Business, Government, 8-30g, affordable housing, DeSegregate CT, exclusionary zoning, Francis Pickering, Fred Camillo

Housing Authority Grilled Over Proposed 4-Story, 51 Unit Building for Seniors 55+ at Armstrong Court

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Selectman Sandy Litvack questioned the Housing Authority why they want to enter the market rate rental business. Their proposed 4 story building will have 51 units of which 90% will be market rate. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Government, Real Estate, 8-30g, Anthony Johnson, Armstrong Court, Dawn Fortunato, Housing Authority of the Town of Greenwich, John Toner

Greenwich Housing Authority Seeks MI for New 51-Unit Senior/Disabled Building at McKinney Terrace

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The June 27 Board of Selectmen agenda included a request from Greenwich’s Housing Authority for Municipal Improvement (MI) for 51 units of senior and disabled housing to be added to the McKinney Terrace at the former Byram School. To qualify a person must be at least 62 and earn no more than $48,000. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Government, Real Estate, Anthony Johnson, Board of Selectmen, HATG, John Toner, McKinney Terrace, Municipal Improvement

P&Z To Require Housing Authority to Re-Test Soil Near Dump

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After hours of testimony from HATG’s attorney John Tesei, engineer Tony D’Andrea, land surveyor Mike Finkbeiner and Booth Court neighbors Dawn Fortunato and Otto Lauersdorf, followed by lengthy discussion among the P&Z commissioners long after midnight, the commission decided to approve the preliminary site plan with the condition that HATG add two test pits near Booth Court for “a double-check.” Continue Reading →

Filed under: Government, Real Estate, Anthony Johnson, Armstrong Court, Booth Court, Dawn Fortunato, John Tesei, Katie DeLuca

Week in Review: “Pinnoccio” vs “Shirley,” Urban to Exit, 7 Fishes, Beloved Selectman Dies

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Top stories on Greenwich Free Press December 21-28, 2014. WGCH TRANSCRIPT: Housing Authority Leader Accuses Booth Ct Mother of Child with Lead Poisoning of Slander

On Dec. 19 Sam Romeo took a call from a woman who initially identified herself as Shirley. The caller was Dawn Fortunato who is a longtime neighbor of Armstrong Court and the former town dump, now “Holly Hill Resource Recovery Facility.” Fortunato took Romeo to task for the Housing Authority’s claim that soil samples tfrom the northwest corner of the public housing complex were “clean” as stated on the authority’s website. Continue Reading →

Filed under: News, Armstrong Court, David Theis, Dawn Fortunato, Greenwich Academy, Greenwich Housing Authority, Holly Hill, Katherine Du