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Bee Intelligencer AN INDEPENDENTLY OWNED FREE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
Informing the towns of Middlebury, Southbury, Woodbury, Naugatuck, Oxford and Watertown
www.bee-news.com
Volume X, No. 28
October 2014
Middlebury swears in new police chief By MARJORIE NEEDHAM Middlebury honored its new police chief, James Viadero, with a formal swearing-in ceremony Sept. 16 in the Westover School auditorium in Middlebury. The ceremony included color guard presentations by the Middlebury Police, Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department and Bridgeport Police. Viadero left his position with the Bridgeport Police Department to become Middlebury’s chief. Among those in attendance at the event were Middlebury police commissioners, State Sen. Rob Kane, State Rep. Anthony D’Amelio and Waterbury Police Chief Vernon L. Riddick Jr., who served on the selection committee that recommended Viadero. Joining them on the stage were a number of state police officers and current or former Bridgeport police officers. Middlebury’s First Selectman, Edward B. St. John, said, “We are the smallest organized police department in the state.” He said Police Chief MacNamara of Fairfield always ribs him and refers to Middlebury as “Mayberry.” St. John said he expected that to change now that Viadero is the chief. As chief, one of his goals is to get the department fully accredited by the state. After being sworn in by Middlebury Town Clerk Edith Salisbury, Viadero spoke. He said he was truly honored and humbled to have been chosen to be Middlebury’s police chief. He thanked
his family – his wife, mother and in-laws – for supporting him during his 29 years in law enforcement. “My family suffered due to my long hours away from home,” he said. Then he invited his family to stand while the audience applauded for them. “I worked with some of the best, and I am still working with some of the best in law enforcement in the state,” Viadero said. He thanked the Middlebury police officers. “They took me in, they accepted me, they guided me,” he said. He also thanked Acting Chief Richard Wildman and said he had been very helpful. Wildman has gone on to a job in emergency services with the Salvation Army. Acknowledging his service in Bridgeport, Viadero said, “I’ll never forget it. It was an honor to serve there 29 years.” Then he said why he wanted the position in Middlebury: “It’s getting back to the reason I became a police officer – to be part of the community.” Viadero apparently is not one to waste time. He started his new job July 1 and by the time he attended his first police commission meeting early in August, he had three new departmental policies already approved by the police union and the town counsel. For them to go into effect, all he needed was for the police commission to approve them. They did. He told commissioners he was prioritizing the department’s needs in both policies and equip-
Shown at the formal swearing-in ceremony for Middlebury’s new police chief are, left to right, Selectman Ralph Barra, First Selectman Edward B. St. John, Police Chief James Viadero and Selectwoman Elaine Strobel. Viadero fills the position vacated by Richard Guisti and temporarily filled by Acting Police Chief Richard Wildman. (Marjorie Needham photo) ment by starting with those of highest liability. The three policies he brought to the August meeting were all related to the firearms officers carry while on duty. He said they are important because the state police look at
departmental policies when they need to investigate discharge of a firearm while an officer is on duty. Viadero also discussed the department’s equipment needs, showing commissioners a Bat-
shield that is intended to provide additional protection to an officer in an active shooter situation. He also noted the need for a new police dog now that the department’s canine, J.J. is beyond retirement age. He suggested the
department get a German shepherd this time because he said the shepherd is better suited to a small department’s needs. Fundraising for a new dog is under way.
LPOS chairman walks out of meeting By TERRENCE S. MCAULIFFE The Middlebury Land Preservation and Open Space Acquisition Committee (LPOS) at its Sept. 3 meeting discussed upcoming Fenn Farm maintenance and repairs and set Saturday, Sept. 27, as the annual Fenn Farm
tour date. Then Chairman John Cookson abruptly resigned and walked out. Cookson opened the meeting by apologizing for missing the Aug. 13 special meeting, saying a family emergency kept him away and he did not have member phone numbers to let them
know. That special meeting had been set to discuss a report by structural engineer Robert Richardson on Fenn Farm cow barn repairs and, because of it, the regular meeting scheduled for Aug. 6 was canceled. When Cookson did not show up Aug. 13, those attending, James Crocic-
chia, Robert Jokubaitis and Richard Spierto, determined there was no quorum and no meeting took place. The LPOS committee generally discusses maintenance and repairs of Fenn Farm, a historic property purchased in 2006 by the Town of Middlebury from
owner Rob Fenn. The sales agreement gave Fenn a lifetime right to live there and operate it as a working farm. The property consists of a house, two large barns and several out buildings on 60 acres bordering Route 64 and Charcoal Avenue. Fenn currently does not maintain livestock, al-
though it is allowed in the easement. The yearly crop consists of hay that is mowed once or twice a year. The town purchased the farm to protect it from nonfarm development with an agricultural
– See LPOS on page 11
Middlebury police seize heroin, cash Middlebury Police Chief James Viadero said an ongoing investigation into heroin trafficking in the town of Middlebury culminated in the arrest of three people in the Dunkin’ Donuts parking lot on Route 64 Sept. 10. The Connecticut State Police, Naugatuck Police Department and the Department of Probation assisted the police in the arrests there and also at a Tyler Crossing residence where a fourth person was arrested. Arrested in the Dunkin’ Donuts parking lot were Dorlen Banks, 23, of 52 Tyler Crossing in Middlebury and Louis Barjon, 25, of 41 Pilgrim Ave. in Waterbury. Also arrested there was a person police say was attempting to purchase drugs from the suspects. That person is a juvenile, Heroin, cash and cell phones seized by Middlebury police Sept. 10 are now out of the hands of al- so police could not release a leged drug traffickers. (Submitted photo) name. A fourth person, Naomi
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Upcoming Events
Obituaries..............................7 Puzzles................................11 Region 15 Calendar........ 3 Senior Center Events....4, 5 This is a Hammer........... 12 Varsity Sports Calendar.... 8 Winning Ways................. 8
Banks was charged with possession of narcotics and possession with intent to sell. Banks’ bond was set at $250,000. Barjon was charged with possession of narcotics and possession with intent to sell, and his bond was set at $100,000. He also was detained for an outstanding warrant for domestic violence out of Waterbury. Crutchfield was charged with violation of probation and remanded to custody. Chief Viadero said he would like to commend the Middlebury police officers and the members of surrounding agencies who assisted them. “It is a serous concern when multiple overdoses are experienced in such a short period of time, and the investigating officers responded to the incidents in an exemplary manner,” Viadero said.
The Blessing of the Animals – Proceeds to local animal shelters
Inside this Issue Book Review................... 2 Classifieds..................... 11 Community Calendar....... 5 Fire Log........................... 7 In Brief............................ 6 Library Happenings.......2, 3 Library Lines...........................2
Crutchfield, 56, was arrested at 52 Tyler Crossing. Narcotics were located on the first two suspects and in a vehicle in which they arrived. As a result, a search warrant was executed at 52 Tyler Crossing. The additional arrest was made, and a large quantity of heroin and cash was seized. The investigation was begun by Officer Al Cronin in response to numerous overdoses in Middlebury during the previous month and in response to information that narcotics were being sold at various locations in town. Cronin was assisted in this investigation by Sgt. John Desmarais. The investigation is ongoing, and these officers will be working in conjunction with the Waterbury police department as the investigation goes forward. Additional arrests are anticipated.
saturday
Oct. 4
What: Blessing, pet trainers, groomers, boarders, animal rescue groups, lunches for sale When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Where: St. George’s Episcopal Church, Tucker Hill Road, Middlebury
Middlebury Dog Park Fundraiser with Lisa Lanno What: When: Where: Cost:
Psychic spirit medium Lisa Lanno (as seen on Fox CT morning news at 9 a.m.) will give spirit connection readings; raffles and light refreshments. 7 p.m. Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department, Tucker Hill Road, Middlebury Tickets $30 at the door or call Beverly Dassonville at 203-577-2108.
Middlebury Public Library Rockin’ to Read 5K Run/Walk
SUNday
Oct. 19
What: When: Where: Info:
Fundraiser for the library. Costumes welcome; prizes for funniest and scariest costumes. Awards for top two male and top two female adults. 9 a.m. Middlebury Public Library, 30 Crest Road, Middlebury Preregistration $15; event-day registration $20; family of four $50 ($5 for each additional family member). First 100 adult registrants get a free T-shirt.
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Monday, Oct. 13 All town offices, library and senior center are closed.
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