Building permit stalls Tweed fire station plan

By Allan Drury, Register Staff June 14, 2000

Plans to build a fire station at Tweed-New Haven Airport remain stalled after a judge failed to broker an agreement between East Haven and New Haven on a building permit.

Superior Court Judge Jonathan E. Silbert suggested East Haven issue the permit while the courts determine whether New Haven owes the town $334,000 in property taxes for airport property. In return, New Haven would give the town a written promise to pay the taxes if a court issued a decision ordering payment. The judge made his suggestion at a private conference last month, according to a letter from New Haven Deputy Corporation Counsel Thomas W. Ude Jr. to lawyers for East Haven. Lawyers for the city, the town and the Tweed-New Haven Airport Authority attended the conference. The authority, which leases the airport from the city, wants to build a 3,350-square-foot fire and air rescue building on the East Haven side of the airport. Authority Executive Director Edwin V. Selden said he was disappointed by the impasse. "We’ll push the parties to try to come to some accommodation here," he said. "But we’re at their mercy in many respects." The authority’s board may discuss the matter at its meeting today, he said. East Haven has an ordinance that says the town will not issue a building permit for any property on which the owner owes back taxes. In October 1998, East Haven Assessor Michael J. Milici declared 177.5 acres and six buildings at the airport taxable. He placed the buildings and land on the town’s grand list. New Haven claims the property, which is on the East Haven side of the line, is not taxable and has filed a lawsuit to contest the town’s levy. East Haven Town Attorney Lawrence C. Sgrignari said the town wants New Haven to set aside a line item in its budget containing money to pay the taxes until the lawsuit is decided. Only then, he said, will the town issue the building permit. He said he recently relayed that position to Hugh Manke, a lawyer for the airport authority. "I basically said we would not change our opinion at this point," Sgrignari said. In his letter, Ude said New Haven has "a strong track record of paying its lawful obligations." Each fiscal year, the city sets aside money to pay judgments ordered by courts, he said. In the past five years, the city’s payments for judgments has ranged from $1.25 million to $1.75 million, he said.

©New Haven Register 2000