On Friday, June 27, First Selectman Jeff Capeci visited the Senior Center for his monthly “Java with Jeff” event. Capeci wanted to steer the conversation away from trash, so he brought the new facilities/project manager, Sean Heslin, with him.

“I think the last couple of times all we talked about was trash, even though we weren’t supposed to talk about that anymore, so I figured this is probably gonna go to trash again unless I bring somebody else to help me out,” Capeci joked with the seniors.

Heslin introduced himself briefly, then started to discuss the two big projects that are currently underway: the HVAC system for the C.H. Booth Library and the dehumidification project for the Newtown Community Center.

“I’ll be very involved in the day-to-day operations, making sure things are kept well up to the standards that we need,” Heslin told the crowd. He said that a huge piece of his job will be capital planning, starting with the library and community center.

The HVAC system for the library is not a new concept, or idea, in town. Heslin said the project has been 15-20 years in the making, and now the start date is on the horizon. Heslin said the start date will be August 1.

Heslin told the seniors, “We have challenges with these older buildings…[it was] also built in the 30’s when things weren’t the same…A lot of that project is making sure that we’re doing it safely because there are some hazardous materials in there that we have to remove.”

Someone in the audience then asked about the pool project. Heslin said the pool is still “TBD,” adding that nothing can really start until July 1 when the new fiscal year begins. Capeci said that the pool is closed for two weeks in August, and that is when the Community Center does a lot of maintenance on the pool to keep it running properly and safely for Community Center members. Capeci said he hopes the invasive work for the pool can be done during those two weeks so as to not disturb the regular pool schedule or take away one of the biggest draws to the center for longer than necessary.

Then, an audience member asked about the development on Fairfield Hills. Capeci explained that the town is “currently in negotiations with WinnDevelopment,” the developer on the project. Capeci said the work may begin around “this time next year.” He added that when the project is completed, there will be 160 one- and two-bedroom apartments between Kent House and Shelton Hall.

Another audience member then shared concerns about parking on the Fairfield Hills campus. Natalie Griffith, Director of Human Services, said she will explore the idea of adding signs that say “Senior Center Preference” in the area closest to the Senior Center entrance as parking cannot be designated on campus.

Capeci then answered questions about the old police station, saying that there are a “few parties interested in purchasing that building, mixed use or light commercial sales in that building.” He also shared concerns about the site possibly being contaminated as it used to be a “tractor supply or tractor company…potentially a dealership.”

“I have concerns that there may be contamination in the soil, and I think that’s going to come out when we really negotiate the sale of the building. I have ordered, or requested, a phase one environmental study of the building, of the grounds,” Capeci said.

Nunnawaulk Meadows was then brought to Capeci’s attention. Someone in the crowd said the man who developed the community “was not opposed to building more.”

Capeci said that the issue came down to federal funding. He said that it is a beautiful facility, but “it doesn’t meet the demand that we have by any means.”

Heslin then jumped back into the conversation and explained a little bit more about his background and his previous jobs. He discussed energy efficiency in town and said that if the high school converts to solar energy, the town would be “getting over 100% of the town-owned buildings into renewable energies.”

Someone asked if Heslin would be willing to come back to the Senior Center to talk to the seniors more about solar. He said, “I’d be happy to put something together.”

There is no Java with Jeff scheduled for the month of July.

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Reporter Sam Cross can be reached at sam@thebee.com.