Friday, October 31, 2014 | 7
Local News
NEWINGTON TOWN CRIER
Seats getting filled in new Town Hall, community center building committee By ERICA SCHMITT STAFF WRITER
NEWINGTON — Five of the seven seats are filled on a new building committee set to plan the renovation of Town Hall and the Mortensen Community Center. Town Council disbanded the old committee and approved the Democrat majority’s five candidates Tuesday night, and Republicans have yet to submit their two nominations. The last plan called for building a new community center in Mill Pond Park and an extensive renovation of Town Hall, but was overwhelmingly rejected by voters in September. Twelve residents contacted the town manager’s office to express interest in serving on the newly forming committee, and councilors received their respective lists of interested candidates on Oct. 17. Since there were only five spots
open to the public, those who weren’t selected are being offered the first opportunity to participate in one of three focus groups. An additional 23 residents contacted the town about serving in one of these groups specifically, which will be guided by Wethersfieldbased firm Decision Point and ultimately provide input the committee will use to formulate a new plan. Town officials will meet with the company’s staff this coming week to finalize and schedule groups. Those interested who have yet to contact the town manager’s office still have time to do so, at (860) 665-8510. Among the five members select-
ed thus far are Alan Bongiovanni, a Democrat who owns the Bongiovanni Group, Inc., a Newington-based land-surveying company. He chaired the town’s last two school building committees, and regularly represents company clients during building presentations to the Plan & Zoning C om m i s s i on , as well as the conser vation commission. Also elected was Rodney Mortensen, an unaffiliated voter and former mayor of Newington. He is part owner of Mortensen’s Ice Cream on the Berlin Turnpike, a family-run business for over 70 years. The third nominated was Walter Trzech, unaffiliated. Trzech works
Republicans are awaiting a final decision on their two nominations to the committee.
as facilities manager of the town of Windsor, where he also sits on the town’s permanent building committee. Democrat Jane Murphy was another choice. She was formerly employed by a sub-contracting firm that built Toys ‘R’ Us stores across the state and is now an office manager for CarMax. Councilor Jim Marrochini will represent Democrats on the committee. He is project manager of Pioneer Builders in Newington, which recently built an addition to the Newington High School music wing. Republican councilors are still awaiting a final decision from the Republican town committee and will likely present in coming weeks. Erica Schmitt can be reached at (860) 225-4601, ext. 210, or eschmitt@newbritainherald.com.
NEWINGTON POLICE Newington police report the following: Aaron Altenhein, 35, of 21 Play Road, Enfield, was charged Sept. 18 with breach of peace, interfering with emergency call and third-degree assault. Jonathan Benard, 31, of 85 Hartford Road, Brooklyn, Conn., was charged Sept. 20 with fifth-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit fifth-degree larceny. Christopher Larson, 25, of 39 Hickory Hill Lane, was charged Sept. 20 with criminal violation of a protective order, interfering with a police officer and first-degree criminal trespassing. Angel Diaz Jr., 55, of 115 Cornfield Road, Milford, was charged Sept. 20 with driving under the influence,and failure to drive in proper lane.
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