Volume 13, Number 38
Friday, September 28, 2018
www.southingtoncitizen.com
State gives $300K to fix intersection By Jesse Buchanan Record-Journal staff
The town expects more than $300,000 from the state for a reconfiguration of the Curtiss Street, Hart Street and Farmington Canal Heritage Trail intersection.
By Sean Krofssik Record-Journal staff
Announcement of the money was a “pleasant surprise” to Public Works Director Keith Hayden, who said a previous grant application had been delayed due to the state’s financial problems.
The annual autumn tradition of the Apple Harvest Festival Road Race returns for its 39th running on Sunday, Sept. 30.
“We didn’t know if it was coming through or not. When we got the letter, that was news to us,” he said Tuesday. Work is almost entirely complete at the intersection. Hayden said the reconfiguration was urgent since more and more people were using the trail after the completion of the northern portion. Pedestrian crossing is now more clearly marked and is now located at an intersection with stop signs. Hayden said the new intersection, de-
A cyclist pedals through the intersection of Hart and Curtiss Streets near the linear trail in Southington on May 25. Dave Zajac, Record-Journal
signed by town engineers, was much safer than the old configuration. “I see tons of people using it. It was a good project,” he said. Southington’s funding is part of a $12.4 million spending package to in-
crease safety throughout the state for pedestrians and cyclists. The funds were announced this week by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and the state Department of Transportation. See Intersection, A10
PZC hears senior housing zone plan By Jesse Buchanan Record-Journal staff
A local developer and business owner reintroduced a plan for housing on Laning Street during informal discussions with the Planning and Zoning Commission Sept. 18. Frank Fragola, owner of 11 acres of undeveloped land at 295 Laning St., suggested the creation of an elderly housing opportunity zone that would allow for greater density of construction on the property as well as other parcels in town that meet certain criteria. Two years ago, Fragola had proposed 60 age-restricted condos in a golf community for his 11-acre property
Festival road race expects big turnout
on Laning Street. The development near Hawk’s Landing Country Club would have required a zone change to allow for greater density, a change Fragola’s attorney Bryan Meccariello said would have been unlikely. That plan was withdrawn in early 2016. Sept. 18, Meccariello and Jim Sakonchick, president of the engineering firm Kratzert, Jones & Associates, discussed the creation of the elderly housing opportunity zone with planning commission members. No plans or proposals to change town zoning regulations have been submitted and planning commission members aren’t allowed to commit to voting a certain way during informal discussions. Commissioners did express
concerns about allowing for increased density, saying town residents have spoken repeatedly about their opposition to further development. “Folks are blinded by it,” said commission Chairman Michael DelSanto about increased density. “They don’t want more.” Sakonchick said Southington could take part in the “megatrend” of smaller, low-maintenance housing for aging but still active seniors and emptynesters. That population still want to own a home and have a small yard, but don’t want the taxes and upkeep associated with big homes on large plots. See Housing, A17
Last year, more than 1,600 runners pounded the pavement and as many as 2,000 are expected this year when the starting gun is fired the morning of Sunday, Sept. 30 in downtown Southington. Good weather will naturally bring more runners. The race, however, runs rain or shine. On this year’s itinerary are a 5-mile race, a 5K, a 2-mile walk and a “Little Fritters” fun run. Southington’s middle schools will also compete in the 6th annual YCup. Race director John Myers, the executive director of the Southington YMCA, said 70 percent of the race participants are from Southington and the immediate surrounding towns. He said the event is like a reunion each year. “It’s our hometown race,” Myers said Wednesday. “It has a different feel and competitive spirit. It’s more about getting back together again and checking in with old friends. “For some, it’s also a fitness reality check, but each year, more and more kids have See Road race, A17