www.southingtoncitizen.com
Volume 18, Number 35
Friday, August 27, 2021
Board of Education: No authority on masks By Jesse Buchanan Record-Journal staff
Dozens attended the Board of Education meeting Aug. 12 to express their opinions over students wearing masks in school. School leaders said they don’t have any authority to implement a policy until Sept. 30, when Gov. Ned Lamont’s indoor mask requirement for vaccinated people expires.
50 Mastrianni Place in Southington is seen here on Aug. 16. Andrew Florian, owner of Quality Restoration, owns the property and is seeking town approval for more than 8,000 square feet of industrial space. Dave Zajac, Record-Journal
Town, business leaders see growth By Jesse Buchanan Record-Journal staff
Town and business leaders have seen industrial growth locally and expect more in the coming months. Town Economic Development Coordinator Lou Peril-
lo said there are industrial parks being developed off Curtiss Street, West Queen Street and Spring Street. On Mastrianni Place, a business owner is looking to build industrial space and was under consideration for approval at a Planning and
Zoning Commission meeting scheduled for Aug. 24. Perillo said a seal coating company is coming to Southington along with other building and industrial firms. See Growth, A2
This wasn’t the first meeting where a group of parents and residents attended to urge board members to not require students to wear masks when they return to school. Dozens spoke, questioning the effectiveness of masks and warning of physical and psychological harm. A few voiced support for a mask mandate, saying it made in-person learning possible last school year. Others wrote letters in favor of masks, which were read aloud. Several of
those writers said they were concerned about coming in person to the meeting and being around those opposed to masks.
Board statement After about two hours of in-person and submitted testimony, school board Chairwoman Terri Carmody read a statement on behalf of the group. She said there’s been confusion about what authority the school board does and doesn’t have. “There is currently a statewide mandate that all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, wear masks in school buildings, unless a medical exemption is in place,” she said. That mandate expires on Sept. 30. School is set to begin on Sept. 8. “Given the current state mandate, the board and the administration do not have any discretion to imSee Masks, A3
Greenway Commons owner says there’s a buyer for project By Jesse Buchanan Record-Journal staff
An owner of the Greenway Commons property downtown said he is hopeful about a buyer as the deadline for a town-approved development looms. Soil tests took place at the former factory site this month as part of the potential buyer’s due diligence before finalizing a sale. Such soil tests could reveal contamination that would have
to be cleaned. Howard Schlesinger with property owner Meridian Development Partners, didn’t name the buyer. “There’s a buyer and he’s doing some additional investigation. It’s looking good,” Schlesinger said. Meridian has been trying to sell the property to another developer for years. This isn’t the first time a prospective developer has conduct-
ed soil tests, according to town Economic Development Coordinator Lou Perillo. He expressed cautious optimism that some activity will take place soon at the former factory site but said he’s been working on the redevelopment project for 15 years. “We’ve been down this road before,” Perillo said. “I’m hoping the third time’s the charm.” Owners held an auction on
the property last year in an attempt to sell it. While the former Ideal Forging factory buildings were
demolished and some of the property remediated, environmental cleanup work See Greenway Commons, A2
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