Date: Wed 10-Jan-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Fairfield-Hills-Nicholson

Full Text:

Enforcement Officer Sees Problems In Move To Fairfield Hills

B Y S TEVE B IGHAM

Escaping the flood waters of Town Hall South, the scheduled move of more than

20 employees to Fairfield Hills next month is supposed to solve problems.

But, according to some of those whose work stations will be uprooted, the

major disruption will only cause more problems. Plus, they say, the move to

Canaan House could have been avoided.

"I was appalled at what I saw when I visited the site," explained Zoning

Enforcement Officer Bill Nicholson. "It irks me where they intend to put us."

Both Conservation and P&Z will be combined into one office, causing cramped

conditions, according to land-use personnel.

In order to get to one of the conference rooms in Canaan House, Mr Nicholson

said people will have to walk directly through the P&Z office, which can not

be locked to protect both cash and records. He said storage space has also

become a concern. Several former bathrooms will now be used for storage.

Mr Nicholson, who originally contacted OSHA regarding the wet conditions in

Town Hall South last winter, said if Town Hall South had been properly

maintained with a few simple repairs over the years, the leakage problems

could have been avoided.

"Why was Town Hall South left to deteriorate all these years. They just

completely let it go," he said.

Mr Nicholson said he had heard unconfirmed reports that the renovation work at

Canaan House would cost in excess of $30,000, though First Selectman Bob

Cascella could not confirm that figure until after receiving a final lease

price from the state's Department of Public Works.

"How could you possibly spend this much for a temporary move when you don't

know what you're going to have later," Mr Nicholson said.

The first selectman said if people don't want to move to the new site they

don't have to. However, he added, the alternative is they'll be out of a job.

The Parks & Recreation Department is happy to be moving. The staff will

finally have windows. Others say they'll simply make due.