AUGUST 5, 2019 VOL. 55, No. 31
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Traffic backs up through downtown Stamford as crews work to remove a Route 1 bridge on June 1, 2019, that spans I-95 at Exit 9. Photo by Matthew Brown / Hearst Connecticut Media.
INSIDE
‘Connecticut in crisis’ SHU PROF’S BOOK EXAMINES STATE’S PROBLEMS
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BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN kzimmerman@westfairinc.com
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onnecticut may have a new-ish governor, but it’s still facing the same stubborn problems that it has for years, according to a new book by Gary L. Rose, professor and chair of the Department of Government at Sacred Heart University. As its title suggests, “Connecticut in Crisis: Policy Challenges and the
2018 Contest for Governor” (Academica Press) doesn’t just recap the gubernatorial race but also examines five key, nagging problems: the perception of Connecticut as a state that is generally inhospitable to business; the heavy tax rates imposed on residents and private companies; cities strongly in need of revitalization; a crumbling infrastructure; and the negative effect that entitlements have upon the state budget. “There are a number of
crises the state is facing,” Rose declared. “Taxation is a huge issue — we’re one of the most heavily taxed states in the country, which is one of the reasons that business is down in Connecticut.” The author of 10 other books — including the weighty, 800-page “Haywire: A Chronology of the 2016 Presidential Contest” (Ox Bow Press) — said that entitlements, in the form of the state’s multiyear pacts with the State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC) and the Teachers Retirement System (TRS), are especially onerous, with $21.2 billion and $13.1 billion in unfunded liabilities, respectively. “People are entitled to their pensions,” Rose said. » CRISIS
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LA CRÉMAILLÈRE OWNER, ON VERGE OF SELLING FAMED FRENCH RESTAURANT, ARRESTED BY BILL HELTZEL bheltzel@westfairinc.com
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a Crémaillère, the famed French restaurant in Bedford, was on the verge of selling the business for $2.5 million when a bankruptcy judge approved a trustee to investigate possible fraud after the FBI arrested co-owner Barbara Meyzen on accusations of cooking the books. “Management has lost all credibility,” attorney Andrea B. Schwartz wrote in a request for appointment of a trustee to manage the restaurant and real estate for creditors. Meyzen has been implicated in “rampant financial fraud,” according to a state-
ment issued by U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman. Her criminal attorney, Kerry Lawrence, said, “We look forward to resolving the charges against her.” “Ms. Meyzen and her husband and family have owned La Cremaillere for decades,” he said, “and it is truly one of the great French restaurants on the East Coast.” La Crémaillère is housed in a 1750s farmhouse on Bedford-Banksville Road, on the Connecticut border, and for many years it has been acclaimed as one of the finest examples of French country cooking in the Northeast. Barbara Meyzen, also known as Bobbie, and her husband, Robert Olivier » LA CRÉMAILLÈRE
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Business aviation may be the best flight plan for Connecticut’s shoreline airports MAIN OFFICE TELEPHONE 914-694-3600 OFFICE FAX 914-694-3699 EDITORIAL EMAIL bobr@westfairinc.com WRITE TO 701 Westchester Avenue, Suite 100 J White Plains, N.Y. 10604
BY PHIL HALL phall@westfairinc.com
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ver the past month, the three airports based along the Connecticut shoreline have seen an abrupt increase in attention, with a rising volume of talk about bringing a new wave of commercial air routes to these destinations. However, a prominent airline industry expert is warning that this attention might be an unwise expenditure of enthusiasm, with attention being taken away from a sector that could prove lucrative to these facilities. One of the goals of Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim since his return to office in 2015 is to restore commercial flights to Sikorsky Memorial Airport, which is owned by the city but located in neighboring Stratford. Although no airline has expressed any interested in the site — the last commercial flight was in 1999 and the airport would need to create a new passenger terminal to accommodate new activity — Ganim and members of his administration met in Washington recently with the Federal Aviation Administration with the goal of making Sikorsky more attractive to the aviation world. Roughly a half hour along I-95, Tweed New Haven Airport was back in the news recently when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued a 23-page decision that voided a 2009 state statute limiting the airport’s runway to 5,600 feet. Airport officials have repeatedly stated the airport would not be able to attract more commercial flights unless its runway was extended to at least 6,000 feet. Unless Connecticut Attorney General William Tong appeals the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court, the appeals court decision will stand and the airport can begin its runway expansion. And going further down I-95, Groton-New London Airport is being talked up by Tony Sheridan, chairman of the Connecticut Aviation Authority’s (CAA) board of directors and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut. At Sheridan’s urging, the CAA is conducting a survey of area businesses to determine interest in restoring commercial passenger service to Groton-New London Airport, something that has not been available since 2004. According to Bob Mann, president of the airline industry consul-
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Publisher Dee DelBello Managing Editor/Print Glenn J. Kalinoski Managing Editor/Digital Bob Rozycki Associate Publisher Anne Jordan Group Associate Publisher Dan Viteri NEWS Bureau Chief • Kevin Zimmerman Senior Enterprise Editor • Phil Hall Copy and Video Editor • Peter Katz Senior Reporter • Bill Heltzel, Reporters • Georgette Gouveia, Mary Shustack Research Coordinator • Luis Flores ART & PRODUCTION Creative Director Dan Viteri Art Director Sebastián Flores Art Director Kelsie Mania
Sikorsky Memorial Airport’s control tower, still bearing the Bridgeport Municipal Airport name that the facility used from 1937 to 1972. Photo by Phil Hall.
tancy R.W. Mann Inc. and a commentator on commercial aviation, the quantity of airports in a relatively small area is problematic. “It doesn’t help if you divide the area three ways,” he observed. A bigger problem, he continued, is the state of the airline industry, specifically the regional carriers that the modestly sized shoreline airports would be trying to lure. Mann pointed out that the airline industry is dealing with a shortage of pilots and the regional carriers are having the hardest time attracting cockpit talent. “Pilots tend to gravitate to the highest paying and best career opportunities, which are probably not the smaller regional airlines,” he said. “They would go to the larger carriers or even to FedEx and UPS, which pay the highest salaries.” And there are the economics of the regional carriers, which Mann noted skews more to business travel than tourism. He stated that these
airlines are flying aircraft with a minimum of 76 seats and would be seeking out airports where their business travel-oriented flights can arrive and depart from at least three to five times a day, rather than once or twice daily. While the CAA highlighted the expanding corporate environment around the Groton-New London Airport area as making it an ideal destination for new commercial flights, Mann noted that argument does not work for Sikorsky and Tweed. “A lot of people live there, but work in the city,” he said. “Many of those flights occur to work locations, not necessarily home locations.” Sikorsky and Tweed also share a problem with many surrounding residents who rue the potential for increased noise pollution with more commercial traffic. “The airports may have decided to grow, but that may not be shared by their surrounding neighbors,” Mann added.
For Mann, the best possible goal for Connecticut’s shoreline airports is a continuation of the main focus that they have been pursuing for years: business aviation. “The business aviation space has been quite active since suffering in the 2008-2009 financial crisis,” he explained. “The business aviation market is robust. There is lots of room there and no indication that its growth is likely to stop, absent an economic decline.” But even if the shoreline airports were to attract new commercial routes, Mann did not foresee it having any impact on Connecticut’s largest airport, Bradley International Airport outside of Hartford. “Bradley is almost as if it is in another state,” he said. “Getting there from the shoreline can be a chore, and its passenger makeup pulls from northern Connecticut, western Massachusetts and even New York state east of the Albany area.”
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In BRiEF 99 Greenwich Ave. retail space sells for $30M
mercial real estate company Cushman & Wakefield. The company arranged the sale and has been retained as the exclusive leasing agent. Greenfield listed National Hall for sale over a year ago. Its headquarters have been in the complex since 2010. As of June, 200,000 square feet of office space was available in Westport, according to the realtor’s Stamford office. That figure represents about 15% of the market, with landlords asking about $41 a square foot in rent.
CONNECTICUT GDP LAGS REGION, NATION
99 Greenwich Ave. in Greenwich
Connecticut’s economy grew by a 2.2% annual rate in the first quarter of the year — up from 1.8% in the fourth quarter of 2018, but still lagging most of the rest of New England and the U.S. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Connecticut’s gross domestic prod-
uct (GDP) stood at $282 billion, placing it 45th among the states. Massachusetts led the region with $581.7 billion (2.7%). The top-performing sectors of Connecticut’s economy were retail and nondurable manufacturing. GDP grew in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., in the first quarter. West Virginia saw the highest rate of growth with 5.2%, with Hawaii coming in last at 1.2%. The $21 trillion U.S. economy grew 3.1 percent in the first quarter. Meanwhile, Connecticut is one of just three states — along with West Virginia and Wyoming — whose workforce has shrunk since the Great Recession in 2008, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The workforce in the state has decreased by 1.5%, or about 25,000, to stand at 1.69 million as of June 2019. — Phil Hall, Kevin Zimmerman.
The single-tenant retail space at 99 Greenwich Ave. in Greenwich has been sold for $30 million. The property is leased to a CVS outlet through January 2038. Jeffrey Dunne, David Gavin and Travis Langer of CBRE’s National Retail Partners and Will Pike of CBRE’s Net Lease Property Group represented the owner, Midwood Investment & Development, in the sale and procured the buyer, an institutional investor whose name was not made public. “CVS’ lease through 2038 combined with 10 percent rent bumps every five years will provide the purchaser with stable income for years to come,” Dunne said.
STUDY NAMES BRIDGEPORT THE WORST U.S. CITY FOR RENTERS
A new study has named Bridgeport the worst city in the country for renters. The WalletHub study analyzed the rental market in 182 cities using 23 factors ranging from the cost of living, employment opportunities and the difference between rental rates and mortgage payments. Bridgeport ranked third to last for its rent-to-price ratio, second to last for rental market affordability and 145th for quality-of-life considerations. The only other Connecticut city in the study, New Haven, ranked second to last in the overall ratings. Yonkers was the only Westchester city included in the study, earning a 114th overall rating. As for the top five cities for renters, WalletHub determined those favored cities were Scottsdale, Arizona; Overland Park, Kansas; Bismarck, North Dakota; Gilbert, Arizona; and Lincoln, Nebraska.
NATIONAL HALL IN WESTPORT SELLS FOR $17.5 MILLION
National Hall, the five-building waterfront complex in Westport, has been sold for $17.5 million by Greenfield Partners to a Greenwich investor, according to com-
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Author Eric Frazer looks to identify the ‘Top Talent’
ric Frazer is a psychologist with 20 years of experience in psychological assessment. He recently published his first book, “The Psychology of Top Talent,” that focuses on identifying psychological factors that can be used in the recruitment and development of a workforce. Frazer, who maintains his practice in Stamford and New Haven, recently spoke with Business Journal Senior Enterprise Editor Phil Hall about his book and his approach to bringing psychological strategies into the corporate setting.
relatively new to many human resources (HR) professionals? “That might be one of the reasons why I am presenting at the Society of Human Resources Management conference in September at the UConn Stamford campus on the psychology of top talent. I think HR has significant and competing demands of time, and nobody can be the best at everything, but I think there is a general acceptance among HR officers that these are important things to be paying attention to and promoting in the organization.”
What inspired you to write this book? “Need. Companies were approaching me and asking how to identify top talent. They wanted to know where psychology fits in the identification of high performers.”
How can an HR of�icer identify the proverbial diamond in the rough — the person who could be a prime example of top talent but may not have a degree of con�idence or communications savvy to make themselves more attractive for getting hired? “It all boils down to asking the right questions. This is where psychologists can be helpful and give precise questions to help unravel that mystery and extract from someone what I would call ‘behavioral markers’ that would demonstrate that person has the psychological competencies. “In the real world, there are a lot of companies that privately tell me, ‘Yes, we still have these structured interviews and what we do is go on hunches without using those methodologies to their fullest capacities.’ Companies are switching around what I would call the status quo and are augmenting these processes and realizing they need to have a structured and standardized methodology so they can rate candidates appropriately and make a better, more precise and more scientific determination about who can present these abilities and who doesn’t.”
Do companies normally approach psychologists to help them identify workforce talent? “It’s certainly trending in that direction. There is a realization about work-life balance and a real demand by employees for professional development and personal development in the workplace. A lot of that development is not just skill-based, but evolves around themes of emotional intelligence ,which is the domain of psychology.” How do you work with companies to achieve their desired goals? “In the hiring side, it involves coming up with a very structured methodology to identify legitimate candidates who have the type of psychological competencies that the organization is looking for. The first step is helping them identify the competencies they are looking for. We have a number of sessions to discuss that and see how those com-
Colliers announces pair of lease renewals in Stamford 4
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Eric Frazer, author of “The Psychology of Top Talent.” Photo by Phil Hall.
petencies match with the company’s overall strategy and core values. “Then, it is a process of generating questions that can be used within structured interviews that can be quantified to give them a formula to be able to make a more precise determination about who possesses those top talent skills. The next step is bridging over into the next realm of professional development, then coming up with a personal and professional development plan for those people who are on the top talent track, and helping the company identify the type of resources those individuals will need and then putting in a budget for that.” It sounds complex. Is it? “It is certainly more complex than going on hunches. Is it methodological? Yes. Is it complex? No. I think it requires a leadership agreement about the importance of this,
BY PHIL HALL phall@westfairinc.com
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olliers International Group Inc. has completed two lease transactions in Stamford with RFR Realty. The separate deals, for law firm McCarter & English LLP and for Spruce Investment Advisors, were both brokered by Jeffrey Williams, Colliers’ executive managing
and then doing an analysis and audit of the procedures in place and finding the shortcomings of that, and then tightening it up.” What is your de�inition of top talent? “Top talent is more of a jargon word that is going around the media. What we’re really talking about are psychological competencies, which are behaviors, thought patterns, personality facets and methodologies that one can reflect about themselves, learn about themselves and then improve themselves using these various areas of psychological development that have a high impact on the workplace in terms of effectiveness, efficiencies, creativity — things that drive innovation in the economy.” Is it fair to believe that these psychological concepts may be
director and market leader and Associate Director Hollis Pugh. McCarter & English has renewed 11,058 square feet on the ninth floor at Canterbury Green, the 14-story, 245,000-square-foot Class A office building at 201 Broad St. The long-term lease renewal allows the law firm to reconfigure its space requirements without disrupting its day-to-day business operations, according to Colliers.
Canterbury Green in Stamford.
But, on the flip side, how can HR of�icers look through candidates whose charisma successfully camouflages their shaky skill set? “There are always going to be black swans out there who have charisma-driven careers. But if you look at leaders of top companies, those are individuals who have a lot of humility. Is charisma important? It could be, but that is one of many factors found in modern leaders today. “Can an HR officer — or anyone for that matter — be fooled by charisma and charm? To some extent. But I think the part of the solution that psychology offers is within those structured questions — asking for specific examples and following through to make sure those examples are valid.” HR of�icers, not unlike the rest of us, have biases, and some might feel more comfortable with certain individuals and not with others. Does your book address this? “I didn’t really get into stereotypes, biases or prejudices. I think sophisticated companies evolved beyond that kind of thinking and mentality and are really looking at the whole person.” What kind of reaction have you received for the book? “I’ve had orders from Japan and people have gotten in touch with me from Germany. I’ve had some very personalized responses back from people on how it has been very helpful to them.” Will there be a second book from you? “Certainly. There will definitely be a follow through. I’m studying a couple of ideas right now that may be the next version of ‘The Psychology of Top Talent.’ To be continued!”
Independent investment advisory firm Spruce Investment Advisors signed a five-year renewal for 4,262 square feet on the 15th floor of 1 Stamford Plaza, a 219,000-square-foot, 16-story office tower within a four-building complex at 263 Tresser Boulevard. Both Canterbury Green and 1 Stamford Plaza are in the city’s central business district.
Joseph Spiezio ordered to pay $2.3M for taking Connecticut trash company’s assets BY BILL HELTZEL bheltzel@westfairinc.com
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oseph Spiezio and two of his companies have been ordered to pay a Connecticut company $2.3 million for taking over its business without compensation. Westchester Supreme Court Justice Terry Jane Ruderman entered the judgment July 15 in favor of Can Man Carting LLC of Norwalk and Andris Kurins of Westport. “There is no dispute that Spiezio actually took over the operations of Can Man Carting, including possession of its assets,” Ruderman wrote in a May 13 decision, following a two-week trial. “However, rather than holding a closing at which the transaction would be formally accomplished, he obtained the entirety of the Can Man assets without paying or turning over most of the agreed-on consideration.” Spiezio made a deal to buy Can Man for $2,350,000, payable over six years by JLS Waste Services of Nevada Corp., a company he owned, controlled and specifically created for the transaction.
But Spiezio canceled the January 2013 closing over concerns about Can Man’s delinquent tax obligations. He struck a new deal for JLS to buy Can Man’s assets, but not the business itself, also for $2,350,000. Spiezio promised to formalize the deal, according to Kurins’ lawsuit, “though he always found an excuse not to execute it.” By Feb. 1, 2013, Spiezio was in control of the business. Then he transferred Can Man Carting assets to a new entity, Can Man Sanitation, and dissolved JLS Waste Services. He made monthly payments for a year, totaling $171,642. But in April 2014, the last check bounced. Kurins, unaware that JLS had been dissolved, sent a notice of default to the entity he thought bought his assets. Spiezio rejected the default notice and Kurins sued, accusing him of breach of an oral contract, fraud and unjust enrichment. Ruderman ruled that Kurins and two business partners, Fior Lostumbo and Anthony Passaniti, were credible witnesses. Spiezio and his wife, Louise, titular
head of several family businesses, were not credible. “The evidence showed that he manipulated and used the businesses he owns and controls in a manner intended to purposefully obfuscate the identity of its corporate actors,” she wrote. She ruled that Spiezio was personally liable for judgments against his companies. “There was ample evidence that Spiezio abused the privilege of doing business in the corporate form,” she said, “so as to perpetrate a wrong against the plaintiffs.” Ruderman ordered Spiezio and his companies to pay $1,733,221 to Kurins and $601,058 to Can Man Carting. In February, Spiezio filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for one of his many companies, Waste Services Inc. of Mamaroneck. He declared $5 million in assets and $7.6 million in liabilities. In June, SGFH Realty Inc., operated by his wife, Louise, sold the Waste Services yard at 275 Washington St. in Mount Vernon for $9.1 million and a nearby parcel for $250,000.
Murphy, DeLauro reintroduce Child Care Flex Spending Act BY PHIL HALL phall@westfairinc.com
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.S. Sen. Chris Murphy and U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro have reintroduced legislation that is designed to double the $5,000 pretax limit that employees can set aside to help offset child care costs. The Child Care Flex Spending Act would allow
employees earning less than $150,000 annually to set aside up to $10,000 in pretaxed funds per year to help pay for child care. The benefit limit would be adjustable for inflation. The current $5,000 limit, which Congress passed in 1986, was fixed at that rate and the legislators argue it no longer meets current childcare costs. Murphy and DeLauro previously introduced this
legislation in 2013, and Murphy unsuccessfully attempted to add the bill’s provisions as an amendment in 2014 to the Child Care and Development Block Grant Reauthorization Act. In announcing the bill, Murphy and DeLauro noted that married families in Connecticut spend approximately 13% of their annual income on child care with single parents spending almost half.
Citrin Cooperman Corner New Rental Legislation – How Rent-Reform Will Affect New York Property Owners BY MARK MOTTEL AND FRANK ROMANO rents a certain percentage (capped) if they made major capital improvements. Now, the regulations lower the rent increase cap from 6% to 2% in New York City and from 15% to 2% in other counties. Other technicalities further limit the rent increase potential from improvements. • Repeals the provision that allow the removal of units from rent stabilization rules when the rent crosses a statutory high-rent threshold (approximately $2,770) and the unit becomes vacant, or the tenant’s income is $200,000 or higher in the preceding two years. • Prohibits owners who have offered tenants a “preferential rent,” below the legal regulated rent, MARK MOTTEL AND FRANK ROMANO from raising the rent to the full legal rent, upon renewal. Landlords will need to raise rents by On June 24, 2019, New York State passed the normal increases from the guidelines imposed. • Repeals the “vacancy bonus” provision that Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (the “Act”) which made sweeping pro- allows a property owner to raise rents as much tenant changes to rent laws. Predictably, the Act as 20% each time a unit becomes vacant. Also, has been viewed favorably by tenant groups and repeals the “longevity bonus” provision that allows rents to be raised by additional amounts, unfavorably by landlord groups. New York State’s Governor Andrew Cuomo based on the duration of the previous tenancy. • Limits security deposits to one month’s rent issued the following statement on the legislation: “At the beginning of this legislative session, I and provides required procedures to ensure the called for the most sweeping, aggressive tenant landlord promptly returns the security deposit. • Includes a wide variety of protections for protections in state history. I’m confident the measure passed today is the strongest possible tenants during the eviction process, including set of reforms that the Legislature was able to strengthening protections against retaliatory pass and are a major step forward for tenants evictions. • Strengthens and makes permanent the across New York.” Meanwhile John H. Banks, president of the Real system that protects tenants in buildings that owners seek to convert into co-ops or condos. Estate Board of New York, stated the following: The changes enacted by the new legislation are “The harmful impact of this legislation will be profound for New York City’s economic future. clearly designed to protect tenants and to reverse There are many losers, including small property the benefits that landlords have benefitted owners, contractors, as well as tenants. This from over the past few decades. The question legislation will keep rent lower for some, but also is whether landlords will suffer decreased cash significantly diminish housing quality and lead flow, which will lead to underinvestment in rental to less tax revenue to pay for vital government properties and negatively affect the housing services. It will worsen the City’s housing stock. The limitation on rental income will cause crisis. The construction of future affordable building valuations to decrease and become less units will slow, if not end altogether, the housing attractive investments. Additionally, now that vacancy rate will worsen and nothing will have landlords are limited in the amount they can raise been done to make it easier for those who rents to offset increased spending on building improvements, many fear that living conditions struggle to pay their rent.” In response, landlords are challenging this new in such buildings will start to degrade. We will legislation in court. Two landlord trade groups have to wait and see what actually happens to recently initiated a lawsuit in federal court against the real estate market as these new regulations New York City; The Rent Guidelines Board and are implemented, as well as the outcome of the the state agency that has authority over rent- pending lawsuits filed by the landlord groups. Citrin Cooperman can assist landlords in regulated apartments. The lawsuit alleges that the legislation violates the 14th Amendment due navigating through these new regulations in process clause and the takings clause of the Fifth determining possible effects on their real estate Amendment. Their goal is to dismantle the entire investments. rent stabilization system. The lawsuit may be heading to the Supreme Court, which could take ABOUT THE AUTHORS Mark Mottel, a tax partner in Citrin years, assuming the Court agrees to hear the case. Until that happens, landlords will have to Cooperman’s White Plains office, brings more abide by the new rules which are now in effect. than 30 years of experience to his clients. These rules apply to both rent-controlled and He specializes in real estate taxation and rent stabilized apartments. Most of the current sophisticated tax planning for businesses and housing stock is rent stabilized, as the original high net worth individuals. Mark’s real estate rent-controlled units are older and have, over expertise includes property operators and time, as the families pass away, been converted developers who own residential apartment to market rate. Rent increases for rent stabilized buildings, shopping centers, and office units are determined by the rent guidelines board. buildings. He also serves clients in other service Notably, the new regulations are permanent. businesses including, law, consulting, health Previously, the laws needed to be voted on to care, and public relations. Mark can be reached be extended every four-eight years. Also, the at mmottel@citrincooperman.com. Frank Romano is an audit partner in Citrin Act removes the geographical restrictions on the applicability of the rent stabilization laws, Cooperman’s White Plains office, with more than allowing any municipality that otherwise meets 15 years of experience providing accounting, the statutory requirements (e.g., less than 5% audit, tax, and business consulting services. His vacancy in the housing stock to be regulated) clients include an array of businesses in various to opt into rent stabilization. Therefore, these industries, including real estate, restaurants, regulations apply statewide and are not limited manufacturing, and distribution. Frank can be reached at fromano@citrincooperman.com. to NYC. Citrin Cooperman is a full-service accounting and Major tenant protection provisions include the advisory firm with 15 domestic and international following (not a comprehensive list): • Previously, landlords were able to increase locations. Visit us at citrincooperman.com.
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“But tax reform and dealing with the unions are still things (Gov. Ned Lamont) needs to address in a meaningful way.” An agreement reached in July with SEBAC that Lamont said represents “significant strides that are stabilizing our state’s finances and addressing our fixed costs” is “a step in the right direction,” Rose said. Connecticut’s infrastructure was the one big surprise Rose found when researching the book. “I did not know how bad it was,” he said. “All the consulting firms agree that our roads and bridges are absolutely the worst in the country.” As for Lamont’s controversial plan to return tolls to Connecticut’s highways to help pay for those needed improvements, which once appeared to have support from the governor’s fellow Democrats as well as the general public, Rose said momentum appears to have, at best, stalled.
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Meyzen, are co-owners and have run the restaurant since 1993. The criminal complaint describes several alleged schemes. In 2013, the Meyzens borrowed $155,000 from a niece, Judy Smith of Fort Worth, Texas. The loan was secured by a mortgage. In 2017, a document was submitted over the internet to the Westchester County Clerk by “Bobbie Meyzen,” purportedly signed by Smith and a Texas notary, stating that the loan had been paid. The loan had not been paid off, Smith stated in a lawsuit last year, and the signatures were forgeries. In 2015, the Meyzens were looking for new financing, according to the criminal complaint. Barbara Meyzen allegedly gave doctored bank statements to nine potential lenders, changing negative account balances to positive balances and removing information on bounced checks. In 2017, a Stamford woman who was a friend of Barbara Meyzen and a frequent customer of La Crémaillère, entrusted Meyzen with her American Express card number to automatically bill for meals. Meyzen allegedly used it to buy $80,000 worth of fruits, vegetables, cheeses and other goods. When her friend confronted Meyzen, she said it was a mistake and promised to fix the problem. She allegedly gave the woman two checks on the restaurant’s bank
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The governor didn’t do himself any favors by “flip-flopping on the issue,” Rose said, referring to Lamont’s change from tolling only trucks to all vehicles. “The governor has to be very sensitive to the tolls question. It’s counter to what most
account, totaling $32,000. They bounced. Meyzen Family Realty Associates LLC, owner of the farmhouse and 3.75-acre property, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September 2018, declaring $2.8 million in assets and $1.45 million in liabilities. La Crémaillère Restaurant Corp. filed for Chapter 11 in April, declaring $1.4 million in assets and more than $2 million in liabilities. Two days after filing the restaurant bankruptcy, Barbara Meyzen opened a new bank account in her name and diverted more than $40,000 in restaurant credit card receipts to the account, according to the criminal complaint. She allegedly opened another account with a White Plains bank, in the name of Honey Bee Farm LLC, and diverted more restaurant funds to the account. This past May, Barbara Meyzen allegedly gave the U.S. trustee misleading information about insurance coverage on the property, when she knew that the insurance had been canceled for nonpayment. Federal prosecutors accused her of identity theft, wire fraud, mail fraud, credit card fraud, concealing a debtor’s property and making false statements to investigators. According to a bankruptcy court document filed June 21, Meyzen Realty had “repeatedly provided fraudulent documents
people want in Connecticut. And the public is perfectly justified in wondering whether that money (up to $800 million in annual revenue, according to Lamont) will really be kept in the so-called ‘lockbox’ for the Special Transportation Fund,
or if it will somehow be diverted to cover other costs, as has happened in the past.” With the Legislature having failed to vote on tolls during its regular session, Lamont has called for a special session to consider the issue. Though he posited such a session could take place in July during an address to the Business Council of Fairfield County earlier this summer, no such plans have been formally announced. “There’s a growing feeling that tolls are not the panacea that the Democrats claim it will be,” Rose said. The professor also calls for a revitalization of Connecticut’s cities, “which are in terrible shape, no question about it.” Lacking what he called “major cities,” Rose said the state’s midsized cities may not be what members of the younger generation are looking for. “My own students represent an urban population that doesn’t want to get a house and live in the suburbs,” he said, “and that, along with
our not being more hospitable to businesses and the taxes, are what’s driving people leaving the state.” Rose pointed to a recent survey conducted by the Connecticut Economic Research Center that found 47% of respondents saying they’d likely move out of the state within the next five years. Regarding the election, Rose said that while he did not interview Lamont or Republican challenger Bob Stefanowski for his book, he served as a panelist at three of the debates held before the Nov. 6 election. “I wondered why ... someone would want to be governor of Connecticut, given the number of problems plaguing the state,” he said of the initial field of 20. Up to the eve of the election, Rose said, he was uncertain which candidate would be elected. As to whether his next endeavor will be writing about the 2020 presidential election, Rose laughed. “It’s time for me to take a little break from writing,” he said.
and asserted her Fifth Amendment right not to testify. Just a few weeks ago, things were looking brighter for La Crémaillère. The restaurant’s bankruptcy attorney had hired business broker Silvio Benedetto to find a buyer. He had queried numerous French restaurants in the region, such as Le Provençal Bistro in Mamaroneck, Bistro Versailles in Greenwich and La Panetiere in Rye. He contacted potential buyers such as Martha Stewart, Mario Batali and Joseph Bastianich. He consulted with wine merchants such as Zachys and Acker Merrall & Condit. “French restaurants are not doing well and many are for sale,”
Benedetto stated in a July 17 report. “Most of the prospects I offered the restaurant to felt the price was out of line, as is the location nestled in back country.” He considered breaking the sale into three options: wine cellar, real estate and the business. He estimated the wine cellar, valued at nearly $1.3 million in La Crémaillère’s Chapter 11 petition, was worth $250,000 to $360,000. The real estate could fetch $2.1 million to $2.6 million. The restaurant could command $250,000 to $300,000. Total price, he estimated, could be $3.5 million to $3.8 million. Ray Balidemaj, owner and chef of Alba’s Restaurant in Port Chester, offered $2.5 million. He demanded a 60-day due diligence period to inspect the property and he proposed a Sept. 1 closing. He wanted to execute a purchase “as expeditiously as possible.” “This letter constitutes a mere expression of interest,” he stated, “and does not represent a binding offer.” He signed the document July 17 and it was submitted to the bankruptcy court on July 19. It had not been signed yet by the Meyzens. Four days later, Barbara Meyzen, 57, of Redding, Connecticut, was arrested. She was released from custody on a $250,000 bond. The following day a bankruptcy judge approved the appointment of a trustee to manage the bankrupted companies.
La Crémaillère restaurant. Image via Google Maps.
to Celtic Bank.” Celtic had loaned $900,500 to Meyzen Realty in 2013. The realty company had told the bank that it had a payment plan for state taxes and was up to date with payments. But the documents provided to the bank were allegedly altered, and according to a state tax official, the restaurant has had five installment payment agreements and defaulted on every one. The state Department of Taxation and Finance filed a $520,022 claim against La Crémaillère on July 15. When Barbara Meyzen was questioned at a bankruptcy creditor’s meeting on June 10 about the tax payment plan and loan from her niece, she declined to answer
Dermatology Associates of Western Connecticut marks 40 years with new leadership, new location BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN kzimmerman@westfairinc.com
L
ike most things, dermatology has come a long way over the past four decades. “The advances in immunology have created a lot of new medical therapies and there have been a number of improvements in therapy for psoriasis, which is a very common problem,” said Dr. Laurence Sibrack, founder in 1979 of Dermatology Associates of Western Connecticut (DAWC). “And the cosmetic advances have really blossomed over the last 25 years.” Also changing is the leadership of the firm. Sibrack splits his year between practicing in the county and living in Naples, Florida, — “my title is ‘I’m getting older,’ ” he joked — while Dr. Alicia Zalka, who had been DAWC’s president for a dozen years, recently stepped down in favor of Dr. Jeffrey Knispel. “I wanted to focus more on patients and less on the political aspects” of the business, said Zalka, who remains a partner with Knispel, Dr. Beth Buscher and Dr. Kimberly Eickhorst. “It was a natural evolution.” Sibrack indicated the same was true for him, as he segued from president and managing partner to simply an employee in 2007. The practice has grown significantly since its beginnings 40 years ago at 57 North St. in Danbury. “I had been working part time at a practice in Westport,” Sibrack said, “and I was looking for a city that had opportunities in dermatology. I called several internists and primary care doctors in the Danbury area, and found they were eager to have a new dermatology practice. It was a pretty good reception from the medi-
cal community, which saw the need for a new specialist in the community.” Danbury at the time was experiencing not only growth in population, but also significant corporate growth, he said. “Union Carbide was here, Boehringer Ingelheim (in Ridgefield), and there was a lot of soft corporate growth in northern Fairfield County as well.” Seven years later, DAWC moved to 73 Sand Pit Road in Danbury and, over the years, expanded into New Milford, Ridgefield and Southbury. After 35 years at Sand Pit, the Danbury operation moved in May to 170 Mount Pleasant Road in Newtown. “We were looking for more space at a state-ofthe-art location,” Zalka explained. “We’re always expanding and we were enamored with this new building, which was built to our specifications.” In addition to seeing patients, the 8,000-squarefoot Newtown office houses all of the practice’s administrative employees and serves as DAWC’s hub. “A lot of our clinical staff and our doctors (eight M.D.s, a physician assistant and a medical aesthetician) travel to all our different offices,” she said. “It’s like a traveling Broadway production.” The firm’s most recent hires are Dr. Caroline LaRosa and advanced practice nurse Maja Matwiejczuk. Zalka joined the practice in 1995, having completed her medical internship at Yale, where Sibrack has been on the faculty since 1979. “I talked with my colleagues at Yale, who spoke very highly of him and his practice,” she recalled. “They were looking for help and when I interviewed, we liked each other immediately.”
Zalka remains a clinical attending physician at the New Haven school’s Department of Dermatology. Zalka and Sibrack said the dermatology field has changed dramatically since DAWC began. “Dr. Peter Heald, who retired last year, was instrumental in bringing immunology expertise to the practice,” Sibrack said. “That really helped us grow.” “When I came here, we did not have any lasers,” Zalka added. “We had to rent one. Now we have our own and we do quite a bit of laser work.” DAWC also added its own pathology lab and Mohs unit. The latter, headed by Eickhorst, refers to microscopically controlled surgery used to treat common types of skin cancer and is named after its developer, Frederic E. Mohs. The practice has also expanded its cosmetic offerings, Zalka said. “We only did a little bit of laser procedures when I started, which grew into collagen fillers,” she said. Botox — approved for medical use in 1987 and for cosmetic use in 2002 — revolutionized the industry, Zalka said, noting that it had become a billion-dollar industry by 2006. The firm’s addition of aesthetician Crissy Dowling in 2016 has allowed it to offer a full range of skincare services, ranging from facials to eyelash tinting, Zalka noted. DAWC now attracts a full array of patients, Sibrack said. “We see all age groups, from pediatric to geriatric and everything in between,” he said. As to whether more locations are being planned, Sibrack said, “Not at the moment. We’ve got Newtown up to speed, and we’re adding more space in Southbury.”
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AUGUST 5, 2019
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Seth Block’s photographic odyssey BY PHIL HALL phall@westfairinc.com
S
eth Block’s full-time career as a photographer is relatively recent, but it’s been a long time in the making. “As a business, it started six or seven years ago,” he said, referring to his Fairfield-based Seth Block Photography. “But I’ve been taking pictures since I was 10 years old, so it goes back 50 years. I’ve always taken tons of pictures. When I was in the Navy, I was the unofficial ship’s photographer. I’ve also been collecting Nikon camera equipment for a long time. I took a couple of photography courses in college — and it was one of the courses where I got an A.”
Despite his love of photography, Block pointed his career path in a different direction. “I spent 24 years in the textile industry,” he continued. “I started as a clerk and worked my way up to president. I retired out of that business by choice and decided to do some consulting.” Yet the appeal of the camera never abated, and Block began to seek out work as an event photographer. A serendipitous meeting with a cash-strapped client redirected him back into his original passion. “There was a family having a life event. Someone recommended her to me,” he recalled. “I spoke to them. They could not afford the thousands of dollars that another photographer quoted. So, I said, ‘What’s your bud-
Seth Block showing off several of his cameras and lenses. Photo by Phil Hall.
get?’ And she told me what her budget was and I said, ‘That’s fine.’ They had a great party and the pictures were great.” Thanks to word-ofmouth marketing, Block gained a reputation for being effective in both a cost and results consideration. “People started saying, ‘This guy’s work is unbelievable and he doesn’t gouge you,’ ” he added. “I don’t have a traditional studio and associated over-
Thanks to word-of-mouth marketing, Block gained a reputation for being effective in both a cost and results consideration.
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head, and that’s one of the reasons why I am able to do that. I’m not trying to undercut anybody, but I am trying to do something that’s right and fair.” Seth Block Photography spans a gamut of assignments, ranging from headshots to events, human and pet portraiture. He has also been called on to photograph valuables for estate planning, insurance purposes and photo restoration projects. Block added that he has been hired for architectural projects. “That’s what interests me: how do you take something that looks benign and make it look interesting?” he said. The challenge of capturing people on camera is always at hand. “I’m not really big into posed pictures,” he admitted. “Some people are uncomfortable being photographed, so there is a tendency to get what looks like a plastic smile — it just doesn’t look good. I do a lot of candid shots, capturing moments and people communicating with each other.” Block also avoids calling attention to himself during his event shoots in order to, as he puts it, “blend in” with his environment. “It’s
akin to listening to good music — you’re not listening to the equipment. You’re listening to the music,” he said. “You shouldn’t see the photographer.” An avid kayaker and cyclist, Block also brings his camera when he is pursuing his outdoor sports. He has sold prints of his nature photography, with a shot taken on a Thimble Islands trip of what he described as a “bashful bunny” being among his most popular. “About a dozen people have that because they really love that picture,” he said. Block happily recalled his childhood when he would take pictures on film and send them off in mailers to be developed by a processing lab. He admitted being a late embracer of digital photography, holding back from buying the new technology until he felt all the kinks were ironed out. In his ideal world, Block advocated the union of today’s digital cameras with the specialized Nikon lenses from the 1980s and 1990s when many were hand-ground and polished by artisans. “Pro digital cameras ... are machines,” he said. “The complexity is enormous. The manual I have for one of my cameras is 1,100 pages long. But if you have these modern cameras with the older lenses, you’re getting the best glass with the most complex machine. This combination brings out every nuance that the glass can bring you.” When he’s not taking photographs, Block also provides photo restoration services and one-on-one instructions for aspiring shutterbugs. But if there is one thing that intrigues Block, it is the phenomenon that anyone with a smartphone can be a photographer. “I’ve been to events where there are no photographers. There are just people with their phones,” he lamented. “And I’m like, ‘Oh my God, has the world really changed that much?’ ”
ugus Dea d l i ne i s A
t 26
CELEBRATING A GENERATION By 2020, millennials will represent half of the workforce in the world. Many individuals from this generation are coming of age and establishing their place in society. The awards celebrate this new era in the workforce and recognize some individuals who are leaving their footprints in the technology and business communities of Westchester and Fairfield. NOMINATION REQUIREMENTS: • Living and/or working in Fairfield or Westchester counties • Born between 1981 - 1996 • Candidate must not have won the competition previously All nominations will be reviewed by our panel of judges. The nominees that best fit the criteria will be honored at a cocktail reception and awards presentation.
AWARD CATEGORIES: Changemakers, Business Entrepreneur, Culinary Arts, Digital Media, Education, Economic Development, Journalism, Fashion, Film, Financial Services, Healthcare, Hospitality, Innovation, Law, Music, Social Entrepreneur, Real Estate, Engineering and Technology
For information, contact: Tracey Vitale at tvitale@westfairinc.com. For sponsorships, contact: Marcia Pflug at mpflug@wfpromote.com or 203-733-4545.
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PRESENTING SPONSOR:
SUPPORTERS:
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AUGUST 5, 2019
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Housatonic Habitat for Humanity reaps rewards from retail operation BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN kzimmerman@westfairinc.com
M
ost people recognize Habitat for Humanity as the nonprofit that brings together various resources to build affordable housing in low-income areas. But that is hardly the whole story, according to Fran Normann, executive director of Housatonic Habitat for Humanity. “We are transitioning our business from being a charity thrift shop to a nonprofit retail business,” Normann said at the Danbury organization’s headquarters at 51 Austin St. “Habitat International was looking for a good vehicle for its affiliates to raise more funds for building homes, and that’s where ReStore came from.” The Danbury branch’s ReStore ended its fiscal year on June 30 with $542,000 in resales of donated home improvement items, including furniture, appliances and building materials. “We have systems in place to work with not only individuals and local companies, but also big-box sellers in the area,” Normann said. According to Habitat for Humanity International, 16% to 18% of Americans shop at a thrift store in a year, and about 12% to 15% shop in consignment stores, slightly lower than major department stores and apparel stores, but higher than malls. Thrift and consignment shop sales increased 50% from 2007 to 2017, while sales at discount department stores decreased by 50% and department store sales decreased by 25%. ReStores in the U.S. contributed $123 million into its communities in 2018, off of nearly $485.8 million in gross revenue. Sales per square foot have increased from $29.66 in fiscal year 2014 to $49.99 in fiscal year 2018. Normann said that when Housatonic’s ReStore began about 10 years ago, “We started with the same kind
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An assortment of furniture for sale at the Housatonic Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Danbury.
of view as maybe a church might do with a thrift shop in its basement.” Since then it has morphed into a 10,000-square-foot facility with a truck, forklift and a part-time staff of 12 who focus on customer-facing and sales jobs. “We’re definitely not in Kansas anymore,” Normann laughed. “We’re not just working out of a garage or basement.” About 20 additional people volunteer to do most of the moving of inventory, Normann said. “We look up every piece we bring in and gauge what it might cost in the general market and price it accordingly,” usually at significantly less than the retail price. “Sometimes a piece might require a little repair, some tightening of a chair’s legs, to make sure it’s in good shape. We don’t put any junk on the floor,” she continued.
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“Anything electronic like a dishwasher we make sure is in good working order.” The branch also accepts all kinds of vehicles, including cars, trucks, RVs, vans, SUVs, boats and motorcycles. All proceeds go to Habitat’s mission of building affordable housing in the greater Danbury area. “Our core business is construction and community development,” Normann said. “We can provide mortgages to the people we sell homes to, working with certain loan originators including Newtown Savings Bank, which is our mortgage-servicing partner.” She said that when speaking to groups in past years, when she asked if anyone had visited the ReStore, “one or two people would raise their hands. Now probably half of them have been here.” Housatonic conducts
niche marketing through social media, advertising and other outlets to get the word out, as well as meeting with chambers of commerce and other business development groups. It also holds quarterly “lunch and learn” confabs with the Northern Fairfield County Association of Realtors (NFCAR) and the Ridgefield Board of Realtors Inc. (RBOR). “They have their finger on the pulse of the community,” Normann said of the Realtors. “They have been very important for us.” Another fundraising program, “Wrapping for Habitat,” involves wrapping gifts at the Macy’s in the Danbury Fair Mall every December. Last year some 300 people wrapped about 5,000 gifts, she said. Similar efforts are conducted during Mother’s Day and other gift-giving holidays. This past spring, over 6,000
Macy’s customers donated to Housatonic during its Round-Up campaign, wherein customers can round up their purchases to the next dollar amount. The need for affordable housing in the Danbury area is underscored by Housatonic’s recent Out of Reach report, which determined the fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the greater Danbury area to be $1,583, the second-highest in the state, behind the greater Stamford area. A household would have to earn $63,320 a year to afford the fair market rent. However, the average renter in the Danbury area earns $46,590 and can only afford $1,165 a month in rent, or less than the $1,253 it costs to rent a one-bedroom apartment. A minimum-wage worker would have to log 121 hours — the equivalent of
three full-time jobs — a week to afford a two-bedroom apartment, while the average renter would have to work 54 hours for the same apartment. “Affordable housing is in such a crisis in this state,” Normann said. “We’ve done a good job in the past, but if we’re going to continue to grow in the future, we have to make a real dent in affordable housing by being more aggressive.” Housatonic Habitat is debuting monthly DIY classes beginning in August, where area crafters will demonstrate how to repurpose and reuse furniture. “These are creative people who can help people keep their costs down by showing them how they can maximize what they have, or what they’re buying from ReStore,” she said. The first class will be held on-site Aug. 3 and feature Kristin Crump, owner of Foxtrot Home in Ridgefield, who routinely salvages old architectural pieces and furniture for herself and her business. “I’ve made corbels into bookends for myself and clients,” said Crump, who will utilize ReStore inventory during her class. “I take remnant tile and create decoupage coasters and trivets. I also love to decorate with old windows, taking salvage antique leaded glass windows to create wall art. The craftsmanship that goes into homes and furnishings built over a hundred years ago is exquisite and tells a story.” Other DIY classes will be led by Teresa Dorritia, who will demonstrate how to paint headboards on Nov. 2, and Angela Gallo, owner of The Parfumerie Store in Danbury, on Feb. 1, showing how to make sachets and room fresheners by mixing scents. And on Sept. 21, the organization will bring together a number of local artists and Ridgefield’s Nod Hill Brewery for “Arts and Drafts,” a wide-ranging fundraising event being held at the Danbury Elks Lodge.
A new sun shines on Monroe’s news front BY PHIL HALL phall@westfairinc.com
W
hen Bill Bittar was considering a name for his new hyperlocal news site covering the town of Monroe, he had a problem. He briefly ran a similar site in 2014 under the name All About Monroe and wanted to revive it, but he neglected to renew the corresponding URL that now belongs to a makeup company celebrating screen icon Marilyn Monroe. He then decided to christen the new endeavor as the Monroe Sun, but there was another issue: the name Monroe Sun also belongs to a bluegrass band in Nashville that claimed the MonroeSun.com domain. Bittar’s solution: the news site was named The Monroe Sun. “I sort of like the ‘The’ in it,” he laughed. The Monroe Sun is the latest chapter in Bittar’s association with Monroebased news coverage. “I grew up in town and the very first article I wrote outside of school was as a freelancer for the Monroe Courier,” he said. “I went on to freelance for the Courier after college. I was the Monroe-Easton reporter for the Connecticut Post and later became the Courier editor.” Bittar also started the Monroe Patch in 2010 when AOL operated that hyperlocal news network, but was laid off in 2014 with nearly three-quarters of the Patch staff. His All About Monroe startup was shelved when he received a full-time job offer from the Waterbury Republican-American, but he still rued his site’s too-early demise. “I always thought, ‘Man, if I had more time, I could’ve made this work,’ ” he recalled. Although Bittar enjoyed being a reporter at the Republican-American, he found himself feeling “sad about the way the industry was going.” He was particularly unhappy last October
Bill Bittar, founder and publisher/editor of The Monroe Sun. Photo by Phil Hall.
when the HAN Network announced it was shutting down the Monroe Courier. “My town that I grew up in wouldn’t have a paper anymore,” Bittar complained, voicing his concern to his wife Jennifer, who reminded him of All About Monroe. “My wife and I are in a better place now financially and she told me, ‘pursue your dream — go for it.’ ” The Monroe Sun went live on July 15, with Bittar announcing its debut in a YouTube comedy video where he played a journalist who is found near death in a “news desert” — actually, a local quarry — and resuscitated with the launch of the new site. That video generated more than 1,000 views in its first week online. The Monroe Police Department added its own PR push, highlighting the news of Bittar’s project on its Facebook page. And speaking of Facebook, Bittar posted his own photograph as the profile picture on The Monroe Sun’s Facebook page. “I want it to be more of a personal relationship where they know who I am, and have it as an ongoing community conversation,” he said. “I am in a good position. It is helpful that I know the town and people know me.” While Monroe has approximately 20,000 residents, Bittar insisted that maintaining a town-specific news source was important despite its small population. “A daily newspaper like the Connecticut Post covers some things, but the staff is more skeletal than it used to be and they have to make
choices over what is the big story,” he said. “You lose the everyday news that people want to know. They want to read about their neighbors and what the kids won academically and in sports. That small-town local reporting is lost as the newspapers close.” As a one-man operation, Bittar works seven days a week on all duties, from writing to site maintenance to setting up email updates for readers. Local residents provided him with breaking news — word about a Sunday night house fire came via a Facebook connection — and he has arranged to meet every Monday morning with First Selectman Kenneth Kellogg. One thing Bittar does not have is advertising, noting that he wanted to focus on building content and readership. “People have come forward to help and make recommendations for ad sales,” he said. “I hope to have ads up by September or October, but I am not sure how long it will take to start bringing money in.” In its first week online, The Monroe Sun chalked up 6,805 page views with a 62.8% bounce rate and an average session duration of 1 minute and 23 seconds. “And I haven’t had a real huge story happening,” Bittar added. As this endeavor progresses, Bittar wants to bring in collaborators to help keep Monroe residents in the know. “I hope to give myself a break and, if it brings in money, get some freelance help,” he said.
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AUGUST 5, 2019
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AsK Andi Close the deal Lots of activities but not enough closes. Lots of leads, just have to light a �ire to get going faster to turn leads into work. How do we do that? THOUGHTS OF THE DAY: Good news is you have opportunities coming in the door. Should you be closing the leads you have in front of you? Do you understand your clients’
needs and how well are you doing at conveying that understanding? Is this the right time for your client to buy, and what can you do about adjusting the timing? One of the things that holds back a lot of sales organizations is not having enough leads to work with. Sounds like that’s not the problem here. Which is terrific. A strong pipeline of opportunities coming to the sales organization is like gold waiting to be mined. Now help your sales organization figure out how to tell the difference between good
leads and not-so-good ones, between leads that should close now and ones that shouldn’t be counted on to close anytime soon. Look for deals that are delayed but can benefit from nurturing until they’re ready to close. Start with a script of questions that your salespeople are required to put to prospects and to which they are to get answers. • What’s your ideal time frame and why that timing? • How much depends on this sale? • How will any changes in customer needs,
A FAMILY FUN DAY IN THE PARK!
Don’t miss the party on the weekend of Saturday, August 10 and Sunday, August 11, 2019. Putnam County Wine & Food Fest returns for its straight 9th year! A Tasting ticket gets you a souvenir tasting glass, program guide, sampling of ciders, spirits and wines. Rock to the beat of live music while dining on food as well as shopping at the various vendors. You can also have a cold glass of beer in the Beer Garden sponsored by Manhattan Beer. Face painting and more for the kiddies.
AUGUST 10 & 11, 2019 11am - 6 pm Saturday | 11am - 5 pm Sunday Mayor’s Park, 61 Fair Street, Cold Spring, NY One Day Wine Tasting: $20 advance,$30 at door One Day Designated Driver: $10
Get tickets at:
PUTNAMCOUNTYWINEFEST.COM For Vendors/Volunteers/Sponsors call 800-557-4185, ext. 3, info@putnamcountywinefest.com
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the economy or your company’s situation impact your decision to purchase? • Who else needs to be involved in decision-making on this purchase, how will they get involved and what other commitments on their plates might get in the way of them paying attention to this deal? • If you saw a way to move up the timetable on making this purchase, what would motivate you to do that? • How long before the lack of making this purchase impacts the company’s performance and profits? Understanding the client’s urgency and necessity related to making a purchase is critical. If it’s not urgent and not necessary, the salespeople have a lot more work to do to keep this deal front and center and move it to close. Attempt to proceed to close by asking how well the solution fits the client’s needs and listening carefully to any objections. Make sure everyone involved in the decision sees it the same way as your contact, that you don’t get misled by one person who doesn’t represent the views of the buying group overall. Deal with objections thoroughly and carefully, but also be alert for deals that are more wishes than reality. Sometimes it’s more important to walk away and put time in elsewhere on another deal that shows more promise. Deals that are urgent in the clients’ eyes should get closed right away. Don’t make things complicated. Avoid throwing up roadblocks or creating obstacles to closing. Once the client admits there’s a fit, ask for the sale. On each outstanding deal, ask your salespeople to find out if the client’s timeline matches their estimate of when the deal might close. Have them check if there’s any misunderstanding on timing. Tell your sales folks to look for any mismatch in expectations about whether and how this deal might, or might not, happen. Encourage your salespeople to get the truth about what’s happening, even if it’s not good news. Put every opportunity into a spreadsheet where you can keep track of all of your outstanding opportunities. Look at which salespeople are good at forecasting, which salespeople are good at setting accurate close dates and which ones are overpromising and underdelivering. Put your focus on helping them to better understand what’s going on and how to either close more deals or let go of ones that have little or no hope. BOOK RECOMMENDATION: “The Lost Art of Closing: Winning the Ten Commitments That Drive Sales,” by Anthony Iannarino. Andi Gray is president of Strategy Leaders Inc., StrategyLeaders.com, a business-consulting firm that teaches companies how to double revenue and triple profits in repetitive growth cycles. Have a question for AskAndi? Wondering how Strategy Leaders can help your business thrive? Call or email for a free consultation and diagnostics at 877-238-3535 or AskAndi@StrategyLeaders. com. Check out our library of business advice articles at AskAndi.com.
FOCUS ON
REAL ESTATE FAIRFIELD COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL
Houlihan Lawrence: Commercial real estate ‘relatively stable’ in Fairfield County BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN kzimmerman@westfairinc.com Declining unemployment and a general stabilization of leasing rates are significant factors in Fairfield County’s commercial real estate sector, according to Houlihan Lawrence’s commercial market report for the second quarter. Average office rents in the county have remained “relatively stable” for the last three quarters while vacancy has improved, a sign that fundamentals have regained positive momentum. Cited as an example of investor confidence in Fairfield’s more urban markets was the June acquisition by Philadelphia real estate investment adviser Rubenstein Partners of the 12-story, approximately 450,000-square-foot Class A office building at 600 Washington Blvd. in
Stamford. Built in 2009 to serve as the U.S. headquarters of the Royal Bank of Scotland — whose investment banking subsidiary, NatWest Markets, was the seller — the building had seen a significant exodus of workers over the past few years as RBS conducted a series of layoffs. Houlihan touted the selling price of approximately $366 per square foot as particularly attractive, considering 2019 replacement costs. “Buildings close to transportation infrastructure and offering ample amenities such as 600 Washington are attracting investment capital targeting steady and predictable returns,” the report noted. “From a tenant standpoint, location and amenities make these buildings attractive to companies expanding into the region or relocating within.”
The building is about 85% occupied with other tenants, including UBS and Bank of America. Rubenstein plans to convert underutilized areas within the building into additional office space. Fairfield County retail in aggregate was marked by existing retail tenants closing a notable number of shops, according to Costar data. “Challenges continue, and available data reflects a mix of move-out dates,” Houlihan stated. “Lease rates also weakened during the quarter in response to increased space availability. New concepts continue to be actively leasing space, but their take-up activity has not been sufficiently large to bring the market into balance.” In Greenwich, an improved lease rate struc-
The RBS building in Stamford.
» HOULIHAN LAWRENCE
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Houlihan Lawrence—
ture that benefits tenants has resulted in a tangible occupancy improvement. “Recovery of leasing volume continues signaling that fundamentals are now on a better footing,” Houlihan said. With Fairfield landlords accepting declines in rental rates to hold on to occupancy, leasing volume continues to be healthier and vacancy declines have followed, the report added. At the same time, rapid shifts in consumer preferences and retail purchase habits are continuing to impact the market, meaning that, “at the present time, stability appears hard to attain.” CBRE said in July that, following a first quarter that saw 725,000 square feet in leasing activity, just 308,000 square feet were leased in the second quarter, the low-
est quarterly total for leasing activity in the county CBRE had tracked since the first quarter of 2013. After a strong first quarter, Greenwich retail owners have again increased their rent flexibility in order to retain and attract tenants, according to Houlihan. “Despite historical stability,” it said, “Fairfield retail at large is struggling to stabilize.” The pace of investment sales transactions weakened substantially during the quarter. Even with slightly lower interest rates, international trade disputes and other economic headwinds have weakened investor confidence. As a result, investors and financing partners have been “underwriting current and future real estate investment cash flows with the perspective that a downcycle may manifest itself anytime,” the report said. Ongoing concerns about the health of the economy
and Connecticut’s political and budgetary troubles have all played roles in declining investor enthusiasm. Even so, there were some notable transactions in the county, including Manhattan-based Storage Deluxe’s purchase from Citizens Capital Group of a 62,000-square-foot commercial property at 370 W. Main St. in Stamford for $5.5 million, or about $93 per square foot, in March. The new owner plans to reposition the property as a CubeSmart self-storage facility with 60,000 square feet and more than 500 units with the remaining 2,000 square feet maintained as retail space. The transformation is expected to be completed by the end of the summer. The report also touted the continuing improvement in Fairfield County’s unemployment rate. The positive unemployment trend supports “a solid economic foundation for real estate assets,” the report said.
370 W. Main St. in Stamford.
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1157 Route 311 Patterson, NY Events@RentaParty.com (845) 225-9200 / (203) 730-2222
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Good Things WILD BEES AND OTHER POLLINATING INSECTS DECLINE, RAISING CONCERN ABOUT FOOD SUPPLIES
John Creeden
WHITBY SCHOOL NAMES INTERIM HEAD OF SCHOOL The Whitby School Board of Trustees announced the appointment of John “Jack” Creeden, Ph.D., as the school’s interim head of school. The appointment, effective July 15 to June 30, 2021, follows the successful completion of a comprehensive search in which Creeden distinguished himself from an extensive pool of highly qualified and impressive candidates. Creeden comes to Whitby with more than three decades of experience in independent school leadership, teaching, governance and strategic planning. He was most recently head of school at Chadwick School, a highly regarded independent K-12 school in California. Previously, he was president of School Year Abroad (SYA), where he was responsible for the leadership and administration of the program’s one-year language immersion program at four schools in China, France, Italy and Spain. Founded in 1958, the Whitby School, located on Lake Avenue in Greenwich, is an independent, coeducational day school for students 18 months through grade 8.
Many Fairfield County homeowners are concerned about the environmental risks and consequences of a shrinking supply of pollinating insects here and elsewhere in the world. They are also confused, however, about what they should do in their own yards and gardens to counteract the problem, according to a new “Pollinator Fears and Facts Survey” released by the Aspetuck Land Trust. The decline of wild bees and other insects that pollinate fruits and vegetables
places $577 billion of annual crop production at risk around the world, according to a United Nations Sustainable Development report released in May by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. The report warns “that nature is declining globally at rates unprecedented in human history — and the rate of species extinctions is accelerating, with grave impacts on people around the world now likely.” More than half of the 311 survey par-
ticipants of Aspetuck Land Trust members and supporters said they were open to planting more native plants to attract birds, butterflies and insects. About one out of three respondents said they favored using natural herbicides and pesticides instead of traditional chemicals, said David Brant, executive director of ALT, an open space conservation group that has protected more than 1,800 acres in Easton, Fairfield, Weston and Westport since its founding in 1966.
FREE JAZZ FRIDAYS AT FAIRFIELD MUSEUM
WESTPORT ARTS CENTER RE-NAMED AS MOCA WESTPORT The Westport Arts Center will begin a new chapter in its history Sept. 22 when it opens its new doors at 19 Newtown Turnpike after 50 years of connecting an entire community around a love of the arts. The high-quality of programming in recent years has brought both locally celebrated and globally renowned artists and their work to the center. The board of directors and Executive Director Amanda Innes seek to further nurture Westport’s reputation as a thriving, creative community by offering a true arts destination in the area. The grand opening of the organization’s new home will feature two seminal works from prolific artist Yayoi Kusama, and an allnew immersive education experience called The Academy will also launch in September. Opening Weekend will be a series of events hosted for VIPs, members, neighbors, friends and the general public from Thursday, Sept. 19 to Sunday, Sept. 22. Entry is free to all members and $12 per person for all nonmembers.
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The Fairfield Museum’s summer concert series Jazz Fridays presents free performances every Friday in August from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on the patio of the museum, located at 370 Beach Road in Fairfield. Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic, chairs or blankets and enjoy the talented
regional jazz artists and ensembles. The concerts will take place rain or shine. In case of inclement weather, the performances will move indoors. Jazz Fridays is sponsored by Bank of America and the Connecticut Office of the Arts, with thanks to Alan and Sylvia
Neigher and WPKN. Jazz Fridays artists include Brian Torff, the Jim Clark Quartet, the Nicole Pasternak Trio, Jen Durkin and her jazz ensemble and the Chris Coogan Quartet. For more information, visit Fairfieldhistory.org.
CHARTER REALTY & DEVELOPMENT EXPANDS HEALTH CARE SPACE REPRESENTATION Charter Realty & Development Corp. in Westport announced that Craig Gambardella has joined its brokerage team and will concentrate on expanding health care tenant and retail owner representation. The delivery of health care is evolving daily and is driven by convenience, technology, integrated care and patient outcomes. Gambardella works with medical clients throughout the tri-state area and specializes in developing real estate strategies to support health care organizations looking to best serve their patients. He also represents owners looking to attract health care organizations to their properties. Prior to joining Charter Realty, Gambardella worked for a health care startup and was responsible for business development.
LMMM’S FLEA MARKET The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum (LMMM) in Norwalk will hold its 12th annual Old-Fashioned Flea Market on Sunday, Sept. 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will offer flea-market enthusiasts some of the best deals in Connecticut and an opportunity to hunt, bargain and buy at more than 70 booths selling antiques, repurposed furniture, collectibles, jewelry, crafts, household items, clothing, toys and specialty farm-to-table items. The mansion will manage a White Elephant table, highlighting items generously donated by supporters and offered to the public for as little as $1. Trendy food trucks will include Cousins Maine Lobster, recently featured on the ABC television show “Shark Tank”; The Chamo, serving Venezuelan beach cuisine; and Lucky Dog Food Truck featuring specialty hot dogs, while a classic and antique car show featuring the Connecticut Seaport Car Club will entertain shoppers of all ages. The event is chaired by LMMM volunteer and antiques dealer Steve Balser who has been a flea-market vendor for the past 20 years. edibles and other treasures. Everyone is bound to find something that makes their day!” The museum will be open for $5 mini-tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and its shop will be open for business and feature new merchandise and a broad selection of gift ideas. Vendor spaces are 10x16 feet and cost $75 per space. Food vendor booths are $150. The deadline for reservations is Sept. 1. Vendors wishing to reserve a space or purchase an ad in the program booklet distributed to all visitors should email info@lockwoodmathewsmansion.com or call 203-838-9799, ext. 4.
PALACE THEATRE BRINGS BROADWAY TO STAMFORD
Laurie Smith
NEW AGENT AT HOULIHAN LAWRENCE GREENWICH Houlihan Lawrence has announced that Laurie Smith, a 35-year industry veteran, has joined its Greenwich office. She was most recently with the Tamar Lurie Group at Coldwell Banker in Greenwich. For more than 20 years, Smith has distinguished herself as a results-driven real estate agent and relocation expert to Greenwich clients. Originally from Pennsylvania, Smith is a member of the Indian Harbor Yacht Club and is an active volunteer for St. Lawrence University and several nonprofits, including the Alzheimer’s Association.
DANCE RESIDENCY AT STEPPING STONES WITH AILEYDANCE ARTS Campers will be twisting and turning on the dance floor at Stepping Stones Museum for Children, located at 3043 West Ave. in Norwalk, during a special AileyDance Kids One-Week Dance Residency. From Aug. 19 to Aug. 23, teaching artists from the world-renowned Ailey Arts in Education program will be at the award-winning children’s museum for a five-day camp experience that features hip-hop and West-African dance classes. The AileyDance Kids One-Week Dance Residency presents a unique summer camp program for children who love to dance from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., for children ages 5 to 7 years old and ages 8 to 11 years old. Space is limited to 30 children in each age group. Tuition is $175 for the week for each member child and $200 for the week for each nonmember child. For more information or to register, call 203-899-0606, ext. 0 or visit steppingstonesmuseum.org/ Ailey.
Information for these features has been submitted by the subjects or their delegates.
“In the Heights” assistant choreographer Luis Salgado leads a group of aspiring young performers in choreography at The Palace Theatre’s Triple Threat Performer Intensive.
Under the direction of Luis Salgado, assistant choreographer of the Tony Award-winning “In the Heights” on Broadway and choreographer for Nickelodeon, students in The Palace Theatre’s Triple Threat Performer Intensive immersed themselves in the exciting process of acting, singing and dancing. Designed to encompass the diverse components of musical theater, the intensive focused on
the making of art with a purpose as part of The Palace’s Arts Education program. Classes were led by Salgado and a select group of experienced New York artists from his company, Salgado Productions. Students engaged in master classes exploring the disciplines of acting, singing and dancing (musical theater, body percussion, drumming, hiphop, Latin fusion and more). At the end
of the intensive, students came away with a deeper understanding of how to successfully integrate song, dance and character interpretation within a musical theater piece, using all tools to support their journey as an actor to communicate their character’s central truth. The Palace Theatre, located at 61 Atlantic St. in Stamford, is a 1,580-seat theater dedicated to performing arts of all genres.
WINNER OF BANK’S FIRSTPRIZE $AVINGS ACCOUNT DRAWING
BOTANICAL CENTER AIMS TO BRING BALANCE IN LIFE Greenwich Botanical Center (GBC) is hosting an August schedule of programs featuring Greenwich experts who will share their wisdom and best practices for bringing life into balance while accessing environmental assets of the town. For youth and adults, GBC’s outreach and environmental programming support horticulture, conservation and the arts in Fairfield and Westchester counties. Its summer schedule highlights the importance of connecting to the environment for life balance and wellness. Some of the programs include: • Pre-school environmental teacher and Cos Cob native Laurel McArdle Scarlata leads a new outdoor nature immersion program for ages 3 to 7. • Through GBC Young Explorers, Alicia Pipher presents kid-friendly art history lessons for ages 4-10. • Greenwich expert Donna Bunte, teaches Qigong on Fridays at 10 a.m. She has been practicing Chinese medicine, acupuncture and nutrition for 20 years. • Riverside resident Helena Svedin, a certified yoga teacher and positive psychology coach offers yoga classes and coaching sessions. • Chef Geoff Lazlo brings his Farm-to-Table Dinner series to his hometown Greenwich with elegant four-course dinners. “Funds raised through programming make it possible for our entire community to connect with the environment, which is vital to health and wellbeing,” said Meg McAuley Kaicher, GBC board president. Ticket prices for some programs start at $5. For more information and time schedules visit https://greenwichbotanicalcenter.org. Established in 1957, Greenwich Botanical Center (GBC) is a member-based nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to promoting horticulture, conservation and the arts through educational programs, outreach activities, and special events.
VENDORS’ EARLYBIRD DISCOUNT FOR HOLIDAY MARKET
Stamford-based First County Bank recently announced the winners of the FirstPrize $avings account $1,000 drawing. They are Rosa Ceron and Maritza Ariza Flores of Stamford. FirstPrize $avings is a savings account with a cash
prize drawing component to promote personal savings. With each eligible deposit of $25 or more, the account holder earns an entry into a drawing for a $1,000 prize. The drawing occurs four times per calendar year.
First County Bank officials from left: Edens Fleurizard, branch manager; Bob Granata, president and COO; Rosa Ceron, winner; and Willard Miley, director of retail banking.
The Fairfield Museum and the Fairfield Chapter of the National Charity League will hold their sixth annual Holiday Pop-Up Market on Saturday, Nov. 23 and Sunday, Nov. 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Market takes place at the Fairfield Museum, 370 Beach Road and has become a much-anticipated tradition in the community. Crafts persons and business owners are invited take part. Space is limited and tables will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. An early-bird booking special is running through Aug. 5. Contact the Fairfield Museum at 203-259-1598 or learn more and register online at Fairfieldhistory. org/events/2019-pop-up-market/2019-11-23/.
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Facts & Figures BUILDING PERMITS Commercial 78 Elm Street LLC, Bridgeport, contractor for 78 Elm Street LLC. Tenant fit-up at 80 Elm St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $32,000. Filed May 17. A&L Contractors, Waterbury, contractor for YMCA. Replace cabinets and sinks at 790 Central Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $24,000. Filed May 16. A Preferred Construction, Bridgeport, contractor for Center for Justice. Remove and install new bathtubs at 485 Laurel Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $4,500. Filed May 24. A Team Contracting LLC, Bridgeport, contractor for Firestone Capital. Fit-up for Subway restaurant at 930 Main St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $110,802. Filed May 23. Howard Gardner, Bridgeport, contractor for Kam Wong. Remodel grocery store at 256 Wade St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $12,000. Filed May 24. Iranbo Inc., Northvale, New Jersey, contractor for Cell Tower Lease Acquisition LLC. Remove and replace antennas at 1330 Chopsey Hill, Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $25,000. Filed May 14. OC Roofing LLC, Bridgeport, contractor for HOCAP Comp. Replace roof at 144 Island Brook Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $15,950. Filed May 21.
Items appearing in the Fairfield County Business Journal’s On The Record section are compiled from various sources, including public records made available to the media by federal, state and municipal agencies and the court system. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of this information, no liability is assumed for errors or omissions. In the case of legal action, the records cited are open to public scrutiny and should be inspected before any action is taken.
SAC Wireless, Chicago, Illinois, contractor for Cell Tower Lease Acquisition LLC. Remove and replace antennas at 1491 Central Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $26,000. Filed May 16. Schimonti Construction, Ridgefield, contractor for Brookside LLC. Renovate Marshall’s interior at 4487 Main St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $130,000. Filed May 16. Trascend Wireless, Mahwah, New Jersey, contractor for University of Bridgeport. Install generator on steel platform at 126 Park Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $69,186. Filed May 24.
Residential 70 Ranch Drive LLC, Bridgeport, contractor for 70 Ranch Drive LLC. Add shower to bathroom at 70 Ranch Drive, Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $500. Filed May 22. A&L Contractors, Waterbury, contractor for family justice space. Replace windows at 485 Laurel Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $13,000. Filed May 24. ADR & Son, Shelton, contractor for Jorge Rivera. Alter kitchen, bedroom and bathroom at 29 Daniel Drive, Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $8,000. Filed May 16. Alcraft Inc., New Haven, contractor for John Bright. Replace roof at 38 Rusling Place, Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $10,000. Filed May 17. Alcraft Inc., New Haven, contractor for Nora Henry. Replace roof at 1978 North Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $15,000. Filed May 17. Aran, John, Shelton, contractor for Joel Francis. Repair wall framing and siding at 49 White St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $4,000. Filed May 21. City Wide Contractors, Oxford, contractor for Ramon Rivera. Replace rear deck at 547 Clark St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $8,500. Filed May 24.
Bob Rozycki c/o Westfair Communications Inc. 701 Westchester Ave, Suite 100 J White Plains, N.Y. 10604-3407 Phone: 694-3600 • Fax: 694-3699
AUGUST 5, 2019
CMSA, Waterbury, contractor for Jeffrey Rodriguez. Replace windows, kitchen cabinets and drywall at 160 Hawthorne St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $10,000. Filed May 22. CNSA Inc., Waterbury, contractor for Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust. Renovate deck at 1755 Stratford Ave. Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $10,000. Filed May 14. Conexca LLC, New Fairfield, contractor for Emerson Santos. Construct rear dormer and new bathroom at 525 Jewett Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $10,000. Filed May 14. Exquisite, Bridgeport, contractor for Marcel Rosiclair. Replace roof at 745 Lincoln Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $7,249. Filed May 23. Forst, Ralph, Bridgeport, contractor for Ralph Forst. Foundation demo at 420 Courtland Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $15,000. Filed May 17. Garian Property Maintenance, Milford, contractor for Freddie Mac. Replace roof at 1222 Chopsey Hill Road, Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $4,060. Filed May 16. Gomez, Oscar, Bridgeport, contractor for Oscar Gomez. Re-roof garage at 146 Alexander Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $1,000. Filed May 23. Gonzalez, Dannys, Bridgeport, contractor for Dannys Gonzalez. Build deck with stairs at 174 Alfred St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $5,500. Filed May 24. The Home Depot USA, Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, contractor for Mary Jane McEneaney. Replace roof, attic insulation and windows at 501 Lake Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $19,171. Filed May 15. The Home Depot USA, Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, contractor for Sharon Dominici. Replace windows at 321 Grovers Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $3,280. Filed May 16. The Home Depot USA, Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, contractor for Esther Santana. Replace windows at 38 Gilmore St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $4,128. Filed May 16.
Questions and comments regarding this section should be directed to:
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The Home Depot USA, Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, contractor for Luwanda Williams. Replace windows at 183 Parrott Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $1,188. Filed May 23. The Home Depot USA, Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, contractor for Barbara Litrop. Replace windows at 16 Oakdale St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $7,221. Filed May 23. Jose de Jesus, Bridgeport, contractor for Shoe Girl LLC. Remodel bathrooms and kitchens at 81 Aldine Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $16,500. Filed May 21. MFXA Construction, Bridgeport, contractor for Kayon and Donald Paul. Alter kitchen, bedroom and bathroom at 100 Pearl St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $10,000. Filed May 16. Muralles, Guilver, Bridgeport, contractor for Guilver Muralles. Replace roof and windows, remodel kitchen and finish basement at 159 Vincellette St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $21,560. Filed May 23. Perez Auto and Sales, Bridgeport, contractor for Strobro Knowlton LLC. Repair vehicle facility at 72 Knowlton St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $6,000. Filed May 21. PG Home Improvement LLC, Trumbull, contractor for 99 Trumbull Ave LLC. Rebuild second floor and roof at 99 Trumbull Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $32,500. Filed May 21. Posigen CT LLC, Bridgeport, contractor for Ramiro Buendia. Structural reinforcement for solar panel installation at 305 Alexander St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $1,000. Filed May 16. Ramirez Contractors, Bridgeport, contractor for Orlando Vicens. Build a second-story deck at 54 Ashley St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $14,000. Filed May 22. Rocha-Valeriano, Joaquin, Bridgeport, contractor for Joaquin Rocha-Valeriano. Renovate bathroom at 96 Texas Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $1,200. Filed May 15.
Rocken Concepts, Bridgeport, contractor for Bart Becker. Alter kitchen at 516 W. Taft Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $5,000. Filed May 22. Rodriguez, Angel, Bridgeport, contractor for Angel Rodriguez. Finish basement and re-roof 21 Harvey St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $4,700. Filed May 21. Smith, Fitzroy, Fairfield, contractor for Nabeel Khan. Preform painting, roofing and siding at 88 Blue Ridge Road, Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $9,000. Filed May 24. SS Enterprise, Bridgeport, contractor for SS Enterprise. Replace windows and renovate two bathrooms at 56 Louisiana Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $3,000. Filed May 22. St. Peters Roman Catholic Church, Bridgeport, contractor for Father John J. Gomez. Prepare for a private party at 695 Colorado Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $100. Filed May 15. Tic Tac General Construction, Waterbury, contractor for Juan Lopez. Repair roof and interior ceiling at 770 Grand St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $8,572. Filed May 24. Universal Windows, Fairfield, contractor for Maida Mayernick. Replace windows at 40 Hale Terrace, Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $2,700. Filed May 16. Universal Windows, Fairfield, contractor for Emily Bartz. Replace windows at 158 Louisiana Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $800. Filed May 20. Valdeci, Dona, Bridgeport, contractor for Dona Valdeci. Construct dormer at 211 Danton St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $8,000. Filed May 23. Valencia, Leonardo, Bridgeport, contractor for Leonardo Valencia. Re-roof 74 E. Pasadena Place, Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $3,200. Filed May 16.
Valley Roofing and Siding, Ansonia, contractor for Muckle Holdings LLC. Replace roof at 152 Deacon St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $12,300. Filed May 16.
COURT CASES Bridgeport Superior Court Campfield, Rasha, Bridgeport. Filed by The Hertz Corp., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Plaintiff’s attorney: Solomon and Solomon PC, Albany, New York. Action: The plaintiff entered into a rental agreement with the defendant for a vehicle. The defendant was involved in an accident and the plaintiff’s vehicle was damaged. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief as the court deems appropriate. Case no. FBT-CV-19-6084918-S. Filed April 9. Capozziello, Ryan, et al, Fairfield. Filed by Allison Loder, Greensboro, Georgia. Plaintiff’s attorney: Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder PC, Bridgeport. Action: The plaintiff suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendant and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief as the court deems appropriate. Case no. FBT-CV-19-6085327-S. Filed April 24. Gonsalves, Ronald, Lake Worth, Florida. Filed by Anthony Gonsalves, Oakland Park, Florida. Plaintiff’s attorney: Riccio Frank J Law Offices of LLC, Bridgeport. Action: The plaintiff received a promissory payment note from the defendant, in which the defendant promised to pay back to the plaintiff. The defendant failed to fulfill the terms of the note and attempts by the plaintiff to collect have been unsuccessful. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief as the court deems appropriate. Case no. FBT-CV-196084932-S. Filed April 9.
Facts & Figures Simpson, Adrian, Bridgeport. Filed by Credit Acceptance Corp., Southfield, Michigan. Plaintiff’s attorney: Nair & Levin Law Offices of PC, Bloomfield. Action: The plaintiff was assigned a retail installment contract from the defendant who paid various monthly installments due pursuant to the contract and defaulted on the remaining payments due. The plaintiff seeks attorney fees, monetary damages and is less than $15,000. Case no. FBT-CV-196086101-S. Filed May 15. Vaiana, Paula, Stratford. Filed by The United Illuminating Company, New Haven. Plaintiff’s attorney: Nair & Levin Law Offices of PC, Bloomfield. Action: The plaintiff provided electric utility service to defendant who has failed to pay the plaintiff the amount due. Case no. FBT-CV19-6085438-S. Filed April 29.
Danbury Superior Court Acocella, Andrew J., et al, Redding. Filed by Wells Fargo Bank NA, Frederick, Maryland. Plaintiff’s attorney: McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce LLC, Hartford. Action: The plaintiff is the owner of the defendants’ mortgage for which the defendants have defaulted and failed to pay the plaintiff the amount due. The plaintiff claims foreclosure of the mortgage, possession of the mortgage premises, monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief as the court deems appropriate. Case no. DBD-CV19-6030821-S. Filed April 15. Bradley, Scott M., et al, Hartford. Filed by US Bank National Association, Owensboro, Kentucky. Plaintiff’s attorney: Bendett & Mchugh PC, Farmington. Action: The plaintiff was assigned the defendants’ mortgage for which they have defaulted and failed to pay the plaintiff the amount due. The plaintiff claims foreclosure of the mortgage, possession of the mortgage premises, monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief as the court deems appropriate. Case no. DBD-CV-19-6031303-S. Filed May 13.
Goffredo Sr., Paul A., et al, Danbury. Filed by Lakeview Loan Servicing LLC, Troy, Michigan. Plaintiff’s attorney: Bendett & McHugh PC, Farmington. Action: The plaintiff was assigned the defendants’ mortgage for which they defaulted and have failed to pay the plaintiff the amount due. The plaintiff claims foreclosure of the mortgage, possession of the mortgage premises, monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief as the court deems appropriate. Case no. DBD-CV-19-6031344-S. Filed May 16. McCallum, Jonathan, Newtown. Filed by Bushwick Metals LLC, Shelton. Plaintiff’s attorney: Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP, Waterbury. Action: The plaintiff is a company that specializes in warehousing, processing and distributing metals. The defendant, a former employee, of the plaintiff allegedly used confidential information to his own advantage and started negotiations with specific customers and for particular parts. Plaintiff learned that defendant had accepted an offer of employment with a competitor. As a result, the plaintiff suffered economic damages and seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief as the court deems appropriate. Case no. DBD-CV19-6031269-S. Filed May 8. Umeh, Kevin G., et al, Gaylordsville. Filed by Savings Bank of Danbury, Danbury. Plaintiff’s attorney: Christopher Gerard Winans, Danbury. Action: The plaintiff is the owner of the defendants’ mortgage, which they defaulted upon and failed to pay the plaintiff the amount due. The plaintiff claims foreclosure of the mortgage, possession of the mortgage premises, monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief as the court deems appropriate. Case no. DBD-CV-19-6031589-S. Filed May 29.
Stamford Superior Court
DEEDS
City Carting, Inc., et al, East Hartford. Filed by Sharon Fera, Norwalk. Plaintiff’s attorney: Wocl Leydon LLC, Stamford. Action: The plaintiff suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendants and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief as the court deems appropriate. Case no. FST-CV-19-6041834-S. Filed May 24.
Commercial
Joyce, Timothy, et al, Bethel. Filed by Nicole Barstow, Norwalk. Plaintiff’s attorney: PaPCsy Janosov Roche, Norwalk. Action: The plaintiff suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendants and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief as the court deems appropriate. Case no. FST-CV-19-6042147-S. Filed June 10. Pelgrift, Victoria, et al, Greenwich. Filed by Michael Labieniec, Newtown. Plaintiff’s attorney: Frank Thomas Canace, Plantsville. Action: The plaintiff suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendants and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief as the court deems appropriate. Case no. FST-CV-19-6041451-S. Filed May 8. Shen, Ryan, et al, Stamford. Filed by Jean Alexis, Norwalk. Plaintiff’s attorney: Kernan Scully & Mcdonald LLP, Waterbury. Action: The plaintiff suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendants and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief as the court deems appropriate. Case no. FST-CV-19-6041503-S. Filed May 9.
Soundview and Cliff LLC, Darien. Seller: Michael Siladi, Wilton. Property: Lot 3, Map 260, Norwalk. Amount: $460,000. Filed May 17.
21 VBA LLC, Weston. Seller: John A. Fabrizio and Robert A. Fabrizio, Norwalk. Property: 21 Van Buren Ave. Norwalk. Amount: $460,000. Filed May 15.
Soundview and Cliff LLC, Darien. Seller: Michael Siladi, Wilton. Property: Lots 1 and 2, Soundview Ave., Norwalk. Amount: $1,065,000. Filed May 17.
5 Star Holdings LLC, New Rochelle, New York. Seller: Fannie Mae, Dallas, Texas. Property: 79-81 Weber Ave., Bridgeport. Amount: $165,375. Filed May 6.
Spring Hill Avenue LLC, Westport. Seller: Barbara Howard, Norwalk. Property: 2 Spring Hill Ave., Unit 9, Norwalk. Amount: $200,000. Filed May 16.
58 Lincoln LLC, Norwalk. Seller: Antoinette Giglio, Norwalk. Property: 58 Lincoln Ave., Norwalk. Amount: $347,500. Filed May 13.
Vahora, Memuna and Yasmin Vahora, Norwalk. Seller: Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Salt Lake City, Utah. Property: 6 Catalpa St., Norwalk. Amount: $321,000. Filed May 14.
Douglas, Hamilton, Norwalk. Seller: Two Saint James Place LLC, Norwalk. Property: Lots A and B, Map13880. Norwalk. Amount: $1,415,000. Filed May 15. Fox Properties LLC, Bridgeport. Seller: Peter T. Opert, Orange. Property: 35 Beachview Ave., Bridgeport. Amount: $184,000. Filed May 6. Huang, Hai and Wei Zhang, Darien. Seller: MTGLQ Investors LP, Irvine, California. Property: 40 Old Rock Lane, Norwalk. Amount: $865,000. Filed May 14. JP LLC, New York, New York. Seller: Sengbun Ing and Ngim Chaing Ing, Fairfield. Property: 289, 291,293,295 Pequannock St., Bridgeport. Amount: $135,000. Filed May 6. Kalunian, Adam and Valerie Kalunian, Norwalk. Seller: Valdemar LLC, Norwalk. Property: Lot 31, Hazel St., Norwalk. Amount: $345,000. Filed May 16. Munoz Ramos, Miguel A., Stamford. Seller: Hedgerow Properties LLC, Weston. Property: 1165 Reservoir Ave., Bridgeport. Amount: $180,000. Filed May 6. Nationstar Mortgage LLC, Coppell, Texas. Seller: Jean M. Desmond, Norwalk. Property: 30 Richmond Hill Road, Norwalk. Amount: $369,472. Filed May 15.
West Main Group LLC, Norwalk. Seller: GMSG Properties LLC, Norwalk. Property: 2 W. Main St., Norwalk. Amount: $453,000. Filed May 15. West Main Group LLC, Norwalk. Seller: GMSG Properties LLC, Norwalk. Property: 127 Main St., Norwalk. Amount: $633,000. Filed May 15. West Main Group LLC, Norwalk. Seller: GMSG Properties LLC, Norwalk. Property: 131 Main St., Norwalk. Amount: $714,000. Filed May 15.
Residential Beltre, Luis M., Richmond Hill, New York. Seller: Dhanmatie Sookhoo, Bridgeport. Property: 6 Armstrong Place, Bridgeport. Amount: $240,000. Filed May 6. Berisha, Lindon and Hana Berisha, Norwalk. Seller: Margherita Tucciarone, Norwalk. Property: 17 Harvann Road, Norwalk. Amount: $439,000. Filed May 22. Brown, Glennard and Malika Brown, Norwalk. Seller: Jacob Henry Fried, Norwalk. Property: 6 Silvermine Ave., Unit A2, Norwalk. Amount: $230,000. Filed May 16. Canfield, Thomas E. Danbury. Seller: Patty L. Engenito, Daniel Island, South Carolina. Property: 20 Valley View Drive, Norwalk. Amount: $415,000. Filed May 14.
FCBJ
Cavell, Marc J. and Michelle L. Cavell, Norwalk. Seller: Kevin Liberatore, Norwalk. Property: 28 Pequot Drive, Norwalk. Amount: $860,000. Filed May 16. Chenini, Carlos, et al, Norwalk. Seller: Johnny Ray Griggs and Brenda P. Griggs, Norwalk. Property: 61 Lexington Ave., Norwalk. Amount: $408,000. Filed May 23. Cmiel, Richard and Casey Cmiel, Norwalk. Seller: Stanley O. Sikorski Jr., Norwalk. Property: 50 Aiken St., Unit 436, Norwalk. Amount: $265,000. Filed May 16. Conti, Betsy C., Norwalk. Seller: Frank A. Hutchinson and Annie Mae Hutchinson, Norwalk. Property: 11 Brookhill Lane, Norwalk. Amount: $458,750. Filed May 15. Crumpton, Shawndell, Corona, New York. Seller: Danielle M. Lenois, New York, New York. Property: 2773 Fairfield Ave., Unit 6, Bridgeport. Amount: $120,000. Filed May 6. Duran, A. Wellington, Norwalk. Seller: Nadiya Hreshchuk, Norwalk. Property: Unit 18, Sutton Place Condominium, Norwalk. Amount: $154,000. Filed May 14. Fayerweather, Linda, Norwalk. Seller: Regina V. Kuzmanich, Norwalk. Property: Lot 19, Map 778, Norwalk. Amount: $459,900. Filed May 20. Filiberto, Jennifer, Norwalk. Seller: Julia D. Tema Cantacessi, et al. Norwalk. Property: 21 Amundsen St., Norwalk. Amount: $500,000. Filed May 22. Flores, Francisco and Carlos Eduardo Flores, Norwalk. Seller: Samuel Lopez and Janet Lopez, Norwalk. Property: 34 Cedar Crest Place, Norwalk. Amount: $371,000. Filed May 15. Frishman, Marcie, Norwalk. Seller: Betsy Conti, Norwalk. Property: 254 Sunrise Hill Court, Unit N109, Norwalk. Amount: $365,000. Filed May 14.
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Facts & Figures Giraldo, Randy and Kristen Giraldo, Darien. Seller: Mario Manna and Carlye Manna, Darien. Property: 15 Pine Point Road, Unit 35, Norwalk. Amount: $90,000. Filed May 21. Honig, Ira and Barbara A. Honig, Greenwich. Seller: Valerie A. Rocco, Norwalk. Property: Unit 2M, Nor-West Condominium, Norwalk. Amount: $190,100. Filed May 14. Klein, Frederick A. and Jill G. Klein, Norwalk. Seller: E. Nikolas Tavlarios and Maria L. Tavlarios, Norwalk. Property: 26 Indian Spring Road, Norwalk. Amount: $1,490,000. Filed May 23. Lauro, Amanda Elizabeth, Bridgeport. Seller: Angela Reichel, Bridgeport. Property: 462 Glendale Ave., Unit 16, Bridgeport. Amount: $107,000. Filed May 6. Li, Ganghu and Tina Cui, Norwalk. Seller: Jennifer Webb, Norwalk. Property: 11 Garfield St., Norwalk. Amount: $369,900. Filed May 21. Liscinsky, Brett, Norwalk. Seller: Melissa Slattery, New Canaan. Property: 11 Talmadge Place, Norwalk. Amount: $325,000. Filed May 23. Liu, Xing Wu and Xiu Zhen Chen, Maspeth, New York. Seller: US National Association, Coppell, Texas. Property: 35 Hillwood Place, Norwalk. Amount: $291,375. Filed May 23. McFate, Clifton J., Norwalk. Seller: Cynthia Khammmouch, Norwalk. Property: Unit 21, Horizon Townhouse Condominium, Norwalk. Amount: $260,000. Filed May 13. McPadden, Shaena Christine, Norwalk. Seller: James S. Denham, Norwalk. Property: 10 Ann St., Unit 205, Norwalk. Amount: $435,000. Filed May 22. Mena, Octavio and Elvia N. Garcia Diaz, Norwalk. Seller: Paula A. Restrepo and Mauricio Gomez, Norwalk. Property: 70 N. Taylor Ave., Norwalk. Amount: $380,000. Filed May 13.
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Merturi, Mario, Norwalk. Seller: Fannie Mae, Dallas, Texas. Property: 8 Oakwood Ave., Unit A4, Norwalk. Amount: $224,454. Filed May 20. Mills, Travis and Sharon Mills, Bronx, New York. Seller: Nobles Estates LLC, Brooklyn, New York. Property: 1153 Iranistan Ave., Bridgeport. Amount: $340,000. Filed May 6. Moricette, Nelson, Stamford. Seller: Gleniss H. Flynn, Norwalk. Property: 14 Frances Ave., Norwalk. Amount: $368,500. Filed May 13. Murafa, Igor, et al, Stamford. Seller: Fannie Mae, Norwalk. Property: 21 Spring Hill Ave., Unit J, Norwalk. Amount: $295,000. Filed May 23. Nagurney, Mary Beth, Stamford. Seller: Daniel K. Kochanowicz and Jennifer M. Cochanowicz, Norwalk. Property: Unit 232, Rolling Ridge Condominium, No.3, Norwalk. Amount: $260,900. Filed May 14. Orozco-Gonzalez, Luis E., New Rochelle, New York. Seller: Emilio Recchia and Dorothy Recchia, Norwalk. Property: 77 N. Taylor Ave., Norwalk. Amount: $395,000. Filed May 23. Ramirez, Liana, Norwalk. Seller: Jeffery Cohen, Norwalk. Property: 25 Grand St., Unit 266, Norwalk. Amount: $212,000. Filed May 17. Ramsey, Crystal A. and Ronald C. Ramsey, Norwalk. Seller: Gregory M. Merigiliano, Norwalk. Property: 73 Fillow Ridge, Norwalk. Amount: $215, 000. Filed May 15. Ruth, Vivian, Stamford. Seller: Juliet B. Stauffer, East Norwalk. Property: 29 Old Saugatuck Road, East Norwalk. Amount: $700,000. Filed May 21. Sanchez Jr. Juan F. and Marco A. Sanchez Cardenas and Irma Cardenas Sandoval de Sanchez, Norwalk. Seller: Saul Gedeon, Norwalk. Property: 23 Heather Lane, Norwalk. Amount: $353,500. Filed May 23.
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Schor, Marshall and Susan Schor, Katonah, New York. Seller: Maria Menares, Norwalk. Property: 208 Flax Hill Road, Unit 3, Norwalk. Amount: $195,100. Filed May 16.
Drennen, William Gregory, et al. Creditor: JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, Columbus, Ohio. Property: Lot 4, Map 7596, Greenwich. Mortgage default. Filed June 3.
Ceesay, Amie, Fairfield. $17,174, in favor of Discover Bank, New Albany, Ohio, by Schreiber Law LLC, Salem, New Hampshire. Property: 111 Judd St., Fairfield. Filed July 15.
Morrison, Sophia, Bridgeport. $3,086, in favor of Credit Management Corp., Westbrook, by John N. Rich, Westbrook. Property: 112 Emerald St., Bridgeport. Filed May 21.
Stankevich, Stefan D. and Meghan V. Stankevich, Stamford. Seller: William NG. Norwalk. Property: 55 Marlin Drive, Norwalk. Amount: $430,000. Filed May 16.
Escalante, Alexander, et al. Creditor: HSBC Bank USA, National Association, Laurel, New Jersey. Property: 194 Newtown Ave., Norwalk. Mortgage default. Filed July 25.
Cores, Marie, Bridgeport. $1,377, in favor of TD Bank USA NA, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, by the Law Offices of Howard Lee Schiff PC, East Hartford. Property: 415 Salem St., Bridgeport. Filed May 22.
Robinson, Jerry, Bridgeport. $1,467, in favor of Cavalry SPV I LLC, Valhalla, New York, by Schreiber / Cohen LLC, Salem, New Hampshire. Property: 132 School St., Naugatuck. Filed May 21.
Turshen, Sharon, Norwalk. Seller: Sharon Turshen and Ira Turshen, Norwalk. Property: Lot 5B, Map 8120. Norwalk. Amount: $1. Filed May 21.
Henriques, Mary T., et al, Creditor: Federal National Mortgage Association, Coppell, Texas. Property: 1663 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield. Mortgage default. Filed June 26.
Daniels, Marcia, Bridgeport. $11,313, in favor of Discover Bank, New Albany, Ohio, by Schreiber / Cohen LLC, Salem, New Hampshire. Property: 129 Route 165, Preston. Filed May 22.
Serrano, Andrea, Bridgeport. $2,587, in favor of Cavalry SPV I LLC, Valhalla, New York, by Tobin & Marohn, Meriden. Property: 70 Bennett St., Bridgeport. Filed June 11.
Heussner, James, et al. Creditor: Citibank NA, O’Fallon, Montana. Property: 10 Platt St., Unit 7, Norwalk. Mortgage default. Filed July 25.
Dossous, Dieudele, Bridgeport. $1,612, in favor of Cavalry SPV I LLC, Valhalla, New York, by Tobin & Marohn, Meriden. Property: 2612 North Ave., Unit E18, Bridgeport. Filed June 11.
Vales, Marco, Yonkers, New York. Seller: Maria O. Diaz, Stamford. Property: 76 Gillies Lane, Unit 8-5, Norwalk. Amount: $295,000. Filed May 20. Youngsaye, Ryan and Vivian Lai, Norwalk. Seller: Jakob Metzler and Courtney F. Metzler, Norwalk. Property: 4 Kensett Ridge, Norwalk. Amount: $705,000. Filed May 23. Zakrzewski, Magdalena, Norwalk. Seller: Ladd Bruce Osborne, Norwalk. Property: 4 Stephen Mather Road, Norwalk. Amount: $80,000. Filed May 22.
FORECLOSURES Berry, Christopher, et al. Creditor: Eastern Savings Bank, FSB, Greenwich. Property: Unit 3K, Putnam Hill Apartments Inc., Greenwich. Mortgage default. Filed May 17.
Koch, Victoria, et al. Creditor: Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, Salt Lake City, Utah. Property: 2 Random Road, Greenwich. Mortgage default. Filed June 10. Morrison, Alexander P, and Annabel Morrison, Creditor: Citizens Bank, NA, Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Property: Hawlwood Lane, Greenwich. Mortgage default. Filed July 11. Oudheusden, Peter S., et al. Creditor: JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, Columbus, Ohio. Property: 93 Cutler Road, Greenwich. Mortgage default. Filed April 30.
Buckenmaier, Bruce, et al, Creditor: Wilmington Savings Fund Society. Chicago, Illinois. Property: 162-164 Marlborough Terrace, Fairfield. Mortgage default. Filed July 26.
Taylor, James and Catherine Taylor, Creditor: Deutsche Bank National Trust Co., Salt Lake City, Utah. Property: 54 Catamount Road, Fairfield. Mortgage default. Filed Julio 10.
Charles, Wilmer, et al. Creditor: Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, Coppell, Texas. Property: 13 Hill St., Norwalk. Mortgage default. Filed July 22.
Wilson, Gary W. and Celeste J. Wilson, Creditor: US Bank National Association, St. Paul, Minnesota. Property: 12 Irvine Road, Old Greenwich. Mortgage default. Filed May 1.
Desquiron, Nathalie, et al. Creditor: Putnam Hill Apartments Inc., Greenwich. Property: 1 Putnam Hill Unit 4F, Greenwich. Mortgage default. Filed June 17.
JUDGMENTS Aparicio-Munoz, Suyapa, Bridgeport. $999, in favor of Midland Funding LLC, San Diego, California, by Schreiber / Cohen LLC, Salem, New Hampshire. Property: 146 Gem Ave., Bridgeport. Filed May 21.
Gonzalez, Ezequiel, Bridgeport. $2,294, in favor of Cavalry SPV I LLC, Valhalla, New York, by Tobin & Marohn, Meriden. Property: 197 Roger Williams Road, Bridgeport. Filed June 11. Gonzalez, Marilyn, Bridgeport. $3,558, in favor of Cavalry SPV I LLC, Valhalla, New York, by Schreiber / Cohen LLC, Salem, New Hampshire. Property: 374 Taft Ave., Bridgeport. Filed May 22. Keller, Richard, Greenwich, $225,000, in favor of Beth Keller, Greenwich, by Halloran & Sage LLP, Hartford. Property: 15 Echo Lane, Greenwich. Filed July 18. Lopez, Americo, Bridgeport. $1,888, in favor of Hop Energy LLC, Bridgeport, by William G. Reveley, Tolland. Property: 189 Tremont Ave., Bridgeport. Filed June 12. Mattai, Janak, Bridgeport. $2,314, in favor of Discover Bank, New Albany, Ohio, by Schreiber / Cohen LLC, Salem, New Hampshire. Property: 39 Acorn St., Bridgeport. Filed May 21. Merced, Ramon, Bridgeport. $2,655, in favor of Cavalry SPV I LLC, Valhalla, New York, by Schreiber / Cohen LLC, Salem, New Hampshire. Property: 985 Noble Ave., Bridgeport. Filed May 21.
Snyder, Gail M, Fairfield. $7,833, in favor of Discover Bank, New Albany, Ohio, by Schreiber Law LLC, Salem, New Hampshire. Property: 5 Greenlawn Drive, Fairfield. Filed July 15.
LIENS Federal Tax Liens Filed Ali, Mujibur, 21 McClurg Ave., Stamford. $13,510, civil proceeding tax. Filed April 9. Bartlett, Nicholas, P.O. Box 342, Stamford. $12,449, civil proceeding tax. Filed April 29. Berus, Ashley P., 78 Gordon St., Stamford. $59,226, civil proceeding tax. Filed April 23. Betts Landscaping LLC, P.O. Box 110391, Stamford. $15,971, civil proceeding tax. Filed April 1. Bowman, Bryson K., 101 Washington Blvd., Unit 314, Stamford. $2,397, civil proceeding tax. Filed April 4. Chmura. Krzysztof, 32 Noble St., Stamford. $16,611, civil proceeding tax. Filed April 23. Colonial Investment Management LLC and Mezzapelle & associates LLC, 700 Canal St., Stamford. $20,484, civil proceeding tax. Filed March 28.
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AUGUST 5, 2019
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Facts & Figures Czebiniak, Ronald W., 18 Home Cottage, Stamford. $9,684, civil proceeding tax. Filed April 23.
Liu, Julius A. and Julie W. Bae, 16 Woodley Road, Stamford. $5,054, civil proceeding tax. Filed April 29.
Team Design and Decoration Inc., 110 Towne St., Unit 108, Stamford. $15,246, civil proceeding tax. Filed April 23.
Ericsson, John, 124 Lawn Ave., Stamford. $14,421, civil proceeding tax. Filed April 9.
Liu, Julius A., 16 Woodley Road, Stamford. $9,495, civil proceeding tax. Filed April 29.
Town Center Barbers Inc., 100 Greyrock Place, Stamford. $3,871, civil proceeding tax. Filed April 1.
Eydelman, Alex and Stamford Office Cleaning Inc., 53 Heritage Lane, Stamford. $10,877, civil proceeding tax. Filed April 26.
Lorch, Edward and Giovanna L. Lorch, 123 Brook Run Lane, Stamford. $56,356, civil proceeding tax. Filed April 23.
Fontano, Sean R., 121 Towne St., Stamford. $7,400, civil proceeding tax. Filed April 23.
Lucky Leash Connecticut LLC, 119 Research Drive, Stamford. $6,178, civil proceeding tax. Filed April 29.
Henry, Vladjimir Marys, 91 Strawberry Hill Ave., Apt. 822, Stamford. $21,182, civil proceeding tax. Filed April 23.
McQuillan, Louise, and Kevin McQuillan, 49 Brooklawn Ave., Stamford. $2,190, civil proceeding tax. Filed April 5.
Hernandez, E. and R. Rivera Monterroza, 79 Virgil St., Apartment 1C, Stamford. $11,253, civil proceeding tax. Filed April 29.
Ortiz, Jesus, 38 Houston Terrace, Stamford. $79,555, civil proceeding tax. Filed April 29.
Kachaliy, Aliaksandr and Veranika Kachaliy, 1201 Washington Blvd., Apartment 322, Stamford. $44,387, civil proceeding tax. Filed March 28. Killian, Rebecca J., 66 Crystal Lake Road, Stamford. $18,440, civil proceeding tax. Filed April 9. Lacerenza, Angela, 48 Westover Lane, Stamford. $52,576, civil proceeding tax. Filed April 16. Leggio, Charles A. and Karen L. Leggio, 60 Quaker Ridge Road, Stamford. $47,653, civil proceeding tax. Filed April 23.
Pacheco, Carlos, 137 Wardwell St., Stamford. $43,551, civil proceeding tax. Filed April 23. Reliable Care LLC, 1 Bank St., Suite 405, Stamford. $2,591, civil proceeding tax. Filed April 12. Robinson, Brian T., 180 Glenbrook Road, Apartment 21, Stamford. $16,182, civil proceeding tax. Filed April 29. Rodriguez, Joaquin, P.O. Box 123, Stamford. $23,747, civil proceeding tax. Filed April 23. Shaw, Jay A. and Miriam B. Shaw, 143 Hoyt St. Apt. 1E, Stamford. $21,364, civil proceeding tax. Filed March 28.
Vasquez, Miguel, 11 Soundview Ave., Stamford. $13,132, civil proceeding tax. Filed April 29. Yin, Stella and Sanford J. Sexer, 596 Glenbrook Road, Apt.12, Stamford. $101,248, civil proceeding tax. Filed April 23. Yohannes, Asmait T., 150 Southfield Ave., Apartment 1226, Stamford. $11,454, civil proceeding tax. Filed March 28.
Mechanic’s Liens Katerra Construction LLC, Stamford. Filed by JWC Steel Co., by Andrew Jarosz. Property: 38 Tresser Blvd., Stamford. Amount: $6,115. Filed Feb. 12. Stamford Building, I LLC, Stamford. Filed by James Farrell Construction LLC, by James Farrell. Property: Unit 2, The Stamford Urban Condominium, Stamford. Amount: $1,285,306. Filed March 13. Stamford Media Village, Stamford. Filed by Sunbelt Rentals Inc., by Lisa Westhoven. Property: 860 Canal St., Stamford. Amount: $52,626. Filed March 13.
Vice President, Portfolio Management (with Specialization) (WorldQuant, LLC / Old Greenwich, CT). Dvlp & dploy systmatc invstmnt strtgies across a vriety of asset classes & glbl markts. Reqs Bach or highr in Computatnl Engnrng, Computatn for Dsign & Optmizatn, or in other dirctly rltd quntitatv field & 2 yrs exp in job offered or 2 yrs exp as Regionl Resrch Directr & Deputy Gneral Mngr, Regionl Rsearch Dirctr, VP of Rsearch, Sr Invstmnt Sftware Rsearchr, &/or Invstmnt Sftware Rsearchr, or in simlar positn(s) in quntitatv rsearch & trding w/ fnancial invstmnt mgmt cmpny. Bkgd in educ, traing, or exp must incl exp w/ quntitatv rsearch & provn perfrmnce metrics; mthmaticl maturity, incl anlysis, linear algbra, logic, prbabilty, statistcs, & algrthms; advncd statistcl modelng tchniques, incl machine learnng & rgression; excllnt coding skills in C++ & Python. Send resumes to Sandra.DiCairano@worldquant.com; ref job title in subjct line.
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Stamford Phase Four JV LLC, Boston, Massachusetts. Filed by Kelley Brothers Hardware Corp., by Ken Whitney. Property: Phase Four the Trinity Stamford PSW Condominium. Stamford. Amount: $99,719, Filed Feb. 21.
Ferguson, Sharon C., et al, Bridgeport. Filed by Benanti & Associates, Stamford, for People’s United Bank NA. Property: 326 Seaview Ave., Bridgeport. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed May 1.
Kabir, Mohammed, et al, Stamford. Filed by Bendett & McHugh PC, Farmington, for US Bank National Association. Property: 45 Woodmere Road, Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed May 3.
UB Stamford Limited Partnership, Stamford. Filed by Camsan Inc., by Thomas Sanseverino. Property: 2351 Summer St., Stamford. Amount: $31,397. Filed Feb. 8.
Ferguson Sr., William E., et al, Bridgeport. Filed by McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce LLC, Hartford, for US Bank National Association. Property: 245 Harlem Ave., Bridgeport. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed April 29.
McLaren, Donya, et al, Stamford. Filed by Ackerly & Ward, Stamford, for the Stamford Water Pollution Control Authority, Property: 7 Jessup St., Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed May 6.
Gifford, Lee, et al, Bridgeport. Filed by O’Connell, Attmore & Morris LLC, Hartford, for Bayview Loan Servicing LLC. Property: 1515-1525 Stratford Ave., Bridgeport. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed April 29.
McManus, Dorothy H., et al, Bridgeport. Filed by The Marcus Law Firm, North Branford, for Tower Fund Services as Custodian for Fig CT13, LLC. Property: 79 Earl Ave., Bridgeport. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed April 30.
LIS PENDENS Allen, Lenford L., Stamford. Filed by McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce LLC, Hartford, for PennyMac Loan Services LLC. Property: 16 Saxon Court, Stamford. Action: foreclose defendant’s mortgage. Filed May 3. Baptista Jr., John, et al, Bridgeport. Filed by Marinosci Law Group PC, Warwick, for JP Morgan Mortgage Acquisition Corp. Property: Unit 45 Foxledge Condominium, Bridgeport. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed April 29. Bass, Mark, et al, Bridgeport. Filed by the Law Office of Juda J. Epstein, Bridgeport, for Cazenovia Creek Funding I, LLC. Property: 3200 Park Ave., Unit 5E-1, Bridgeport. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed April 30. Bernhard, Eric A., et al, Stamford. Filed by Bendett & McHugh PC, Farmington, for Wells Fargo Bank NA. Property: 192 Big Oak Road, Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed May 3. Crowley, John, et al, Stamford. Filed by Ackerly & Ward, Stamford, for the Stamford Water Pollution Control Authority, Property: 17 Buena Vista St., Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed May 6. CT Commons LLC, et al, Bridgeport. Filed by the Law Office of Juda J. Epstein, Bridgeport, for the Water Pollution Control Authority for the city of Bridgeport. Property: 1610-1612 Iranistan Ave., Bridgeport. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed April 29.
Guity, Abelardo, et al, Bridgeport. Filed by The Marcus Law Firm, North Branford, for the Water Pollution Control Authority for the city of Bridgeport. Property: 2830 Putnam St., Bridgeport. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed April 30. Hudson, Norma H., et al, Stamford. Filed by Ackerly & Ward, Stamford, for the Stamford Water Pollution Control Authority, Property: 22 Wilson St., Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed May 6. Izaguirre, Rigoberto, et al, Stamford. Filed by McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce LLC, Hartford, for Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. Property: 49 Williard Terrace, Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed May 6. James, Louis J., et al, Bridgeport. Filed by Bendett & McHugh PC, Farmington, for US Bank National Association. Property: 84 Velvet St., Bridgeport. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed May 1. Johnson, Chiyezhath A., et al, Stamford. Filed by Ackerly & Ward, Stamford, for the Stamford Water Pollution Control Authority, Property: 138 Fourth St., Stamford. Action: foreclose defendant’s mortgage. Filed May 6. Julia, Concepcion, Bridgeport. Filed by Bender, Anderson and Barba PC, North Haven, for The Success Villages Apartments Inc. Property: 242 Court D, Building 57, Apt. 242, Bridgeport. Action: foreclose defendant’s mortgage. Filed May 1.
McManus, Dorothy H., et al, Bridgeport. Filed by The Marcus Law Firm, North Branford, for Tower Fund Services as Custodian for Fig CT13, LLC. Property: 55 Gustave St., Bridgeport. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed April 30. McManus, Dorothy H., et al, Bridgeport. Filed by The Marcus Law Firm, North Branford, for Tower Fund Services as Custodian for Fig CT13, LLC. Property: 89-99 Earl Ave., Bridgeport. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed April 30. Morales, Juan C., et al, Stamford. Filed by Ackerly & Ward, Stamford, for Stamford Water Pollution Control Authority, Property: 10 Meadow Park Ave. West, Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed May 6. Random Properties Acquisition Corporation III, Bridgeport. Filed by the Law Office of Juda J. Epstein, Bridgeport, for the Water Pollution Control Authority for the city of Bridgeport. Property: 406-410 Gregory St., Bridgeport. Action: foreclose defendant’s mortgage. Filed April 29. Riley, Paul, et al, Bridgeport. Filed by Milford Law LLC, Milford, for US Bank National Association. Property: 43 Remington St., No. A5, Bridgeport. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed April 30.
Facts & Figures Valencia Island LLC, et al, Bridgeport. Filed by the Law Office of Juda J. Epstein, Bridgeport, for Grover’s Common Condominium II Association Inc. Property: 74 Circular Ave., Unit 2B, Bridgeport. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed April 29. Zukowsky, Suzanne M., et al, Stamford. Filed by McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce LLC, Hartford, for PHH Mortgage Corp. Property: 11 Saint Charles Ave., Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed May 3.
LEASES Andrade de Oliveira, Alex, by Nicole C. Sousa. Landlord: Crespo Law Firm LLC, Bridgeport. Property: 735 Ruth St., Bridgeport. Term: 7 years, commenced June 26, 2019. Filed July 1. Lopez, Salomon, by Marylou Weeks. Landlord: Success Village Apartments Inc, Bridgeport. Property: 100 Court D, Building 24, Apartment 347, Bridgeport. Term: 35 years, commenced June 25, 2019. Filed July 1.
Labaze, Romelin E. and Jasmine Labaze, Bridgeport, by Jason Morytko. Lender: Warshaw Capital LLC, 2777 Summer St., Suite 306, Stamford. Property: 172 Harbor Ave., Bridgeport. Amount: $200,790. Filed April 1. McCrimmon, Patricia L., Bridgeport, by David J. Bisceglia. Lender: Chartered Bank, 2035 Limestone Road, Wilmington, Delaware. Property: 165 Village Lane, Bridgeport. Amount: $145,000. Filed April 2. McNamara, Sarah, Bridgeport, by Peter Ambrose. Lender: JPMorgan Chase Bank NA, 1111 Polaris Pkwy., Columbus, Ohio. Property: 568 Brewster St., Bridgeport. Amount: $71,920. Filed April 1. Morse, Damion, Bridgeport, by N/A. Lender: United Bank., 1645 Ellington Road, South Windsor. Property: 86 Wentworth St., Bridgeport. Amount: $284,648. Filed April 2.
Stewart, Tiffona F. and Donald O. Conyer Jr., Bridgeport, by Jerome Pagter. Lender: American Internet Mortgage Inc., 4121 Camino del Rio South, San Diego, California. Property: 61 Hope St., Bridgeport. Amount: $189,750. Filed April 1. Villalta Sr., Mario Arturo, Bridgeport, by Cheryl A. Rodriguez. Lender: Total Mortgage Services LLC, 185 Plains Road, Milford. Property: 2016 North Ave., Bridgeport. Amount: $276,750. Filed April 1. Walker, Roxanne A. and Terrence D. Ward, Bridgeport, by N/A. Lender: Envoy Mortgage LTD, 10496Katy Freeway, Suite 250, Houston, Texas. Property: 63-67 Pearl Harbor Place, Bridgeport. Amount: $204,250. Filed April 1.
NEW BUSINESSES
Navarro, Sherwin and Rocky Figueroa, Bridgeport, by Peter Ambrose. Lender: People’s United Bank, National Association, 850 Main St., Bridgeport. Property: 495 Hawley Ave., Bridgeport. Amount: $150,350. Filed April 1.
VO Distillery Co., 175 Greenwich St., New York, New York 10007, c/o Diageo Americas Supply, Inc. Filed May 14.
Betha, Harini and Bhaskara Rao Giduthuri, Bridgeport, by James C. Tsui. Lender: United Wholesale Mortgage, 585 S. Boulevard East, Pontiac, Michigan. Property: 26 Belmont Ave., Bridgeport. Amount: $153,750. Filed April 1.
Olivares Barquero, Edgar, Bridgeport, by Corinne M. Abbott. Lender: Homebridge Financial Services Inc., 194 Wood Avenue South, Ninth floor, Iselin, New Jersey. Property: 1276 Laurel Ave., Bridgeport. Amount: $257,744. Filed April 2.
Captain Morgan Co., 175 Greenwich St., New York, New York 10007, c/o Diageo Beer Company USA. Filed May 14.
Danek-Medynska, Grace, Bridgeport, by Jeffrey L. Meyers. Lender: United Wholesale Mortgage, 585 S. Boulevard East, Pontiac, Michigan. Property: 109 Louisiana Ave., Bridgeport. Amount: $73,950. Filed April 1.
Reddy, Charisse, Bridgeport, by Ryan P. Kelly. Lender: Total Mortgage Services LLC, 185 Plains Road, Milford. Property: 132 Aldine Ave., Bridgeport. Amount: $176,739. Filed April 1.
MORTGAGES
Jack, Giselle N. and Jose E. Cortez, Bridgeport, by Anthony E. Monelli. Lender: E Mortgage Management LLC, 3 Executive Campus, Suite 520, Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Property: 394 Platt St. Bridgeport. Amount: $274,928. Filed April 1. Kirton, Dominique W., Bridgeport, by Maribeth Browne Goulden. Lender: JPMorgan Chase Bank NA, 1111 Polaris Pkwy., Columbus, Ohio. Property: 90 Hamilton St., No. 8, Bridgeport. Amount: $64,000. Filed April 2.
Rio, Valeria and Jose Rio, Bridgeport, by Kellie Ann Vazzano. Lender: Prime Lending, a Plains Capital Co., 18111 Preston Road, Suite 900, Dallas, Texas. Property: 129 Ashton St., Bridgeport. Amount: $186,080. Filed April 1. Sezer, Sam, Bridgeport, by Rex E. Gustafson. Lender: Fairfield County Bank, 150 Danbury Road, Ridgefield. Property: 3225 Madison Ave., Unit 13, Bridgeport. Amount: $116,000. Filed April 1.
Califresca Cocktail C., 175 Greenwich St., New York, New York 10007, c/o Diageo Beer Company USA. Filed May 14.
Diageo Brewing Co., 175 Greenwich St., New York, New York 10007, c/o Diageo Beer Company USA. Filed May 14. Diageo Brewing Co., 175 Greenwich St., New York, New York 10007, c/o Diageo Beer Company USA. Filed May 14. Diageo USA, 175 Greenwich St., New York, New York 10007, c/o Diageo Beer Company USA. Filed May 14. Diageo-Guinness USA, 175 Greenwich St., New York, New York 10007, c/o Diageo Beer Company USA. Filed May 14. Exclusive Nail by Rous, 79 Houston Terrace, Stamford 06902, c/o Rosana Pelaez. Filed May 15. Framesun Construction LLC, 1295 Riverbank Road, Stamford 06903, c/o Augustine Fayomi. Filed May 15.
Guinness & Co., 175 Greenwich St., New York, New York 10007, c/o Diageo Beer Company USA. Filed May 14. Julia’s Skillfull Cleaners/ Cleaning, 26 Main St., Apartment 10G, Stamford 06901. c/o Julia Roman. Filed May 15. Kidz Room, 870 E. Main St., Stamford 06901, c/o Karol A. Mejia. Filed May 15. Lovely Shine Cleaning Services, 39 Glenbrook Road, Stamford 06902, c/o Sharon Guy. Filed May 15. Slate Distilling Company, 175 Greenwich St., New York, New York 10007, c/o Diageo Americas Supply, Inc. Filed May 15. Smirnoff Co., 175 Greenwich St., New York, New York 10007, c/o Diageo Americas Supply, Inc. Filed May 15. Smithwick’s And Sons Ireland, 175 Greenwich St., New York, New York 10007, c/o Diageo Beer Company USA. Filed May 14. Smithwick’s And Sons Ireland, 175 Greenwich St., New York, New York 10007, c/o Diageo Americas Supply, Inc. Filed May 15. Smithwick’s and Sons, 175 Greenwich St., New York, New York 10007, c/o Diageo Beer Company USA. Filed May 14. Smithwick’s And Sons, 175 Greenwich St., New York, New York 10007, c/o Diageo Americas Supply, Inc. Filed May 15. Suite Pierre Smirnoff FLS, 175 Greenwich St., New York, New York 10007, c/o Diageo Beer Company USA. Filed May 15. Suite Pierre Smirnoff FLS, 175 Greenwich St., New York, New York 10007, c/o Diageo Americas Supply, Inc. Filed May 15. Stitzel-Weller Distillery, 175 Greenwich St., New York, New York 10007, c/o Diageo Americas Supply, Inc. Filed May 15. Stitzel-Weller Distilling Co., 175 Greenwich St., New York, New York 10007, c/o Diageo Americas Supply, Inc. Filed May 15.
Studebaker Distilling Co., 175 Greenwich St., New York, New York 10007, c/o Diageo Americas Supply, Inc. Filed May 15. T.H.L. Distilling Co., 175 Greenwich St., New York, New York 10007, c/o Diageo Americas Supply, Inc. Filed May 15. T.H.L. Whiskey Co., 175 Greenwich St., New York, New York 10007, c/o Diageo Americas Supply, Inc. Filed May 15. The Smirnoff Co., 175 Greenwich St., New York, New York 10007, c/o Diageo Beer Company USA. Filed May 15. United Water Restoration of Fairfield, 48 Union St., Unit 3A, Cos Cob 06807, c/o Robert Perry. Filed May 15.
PATENTS Approach for partially preserving music in the presence of intelligible speech. Patent no. 10,368,164 issued to James M. Kirsch, Salt Lake City, Utah; Ajay Iyer, Murray, Utah; Richard Allen Kreifeldt, South Jordan, Utah. Assigned to Harman, Stamford. Backlighting effect for package displays. Patent no. 10,366,634 issued to George A. Gibson, Fairport. Assigned to Xerox, Norwalk. Cable armor stop. Patent no. 10,367,344 issued to Lawrence J. Smith, Stamford. Assigned to Bridgeport Fittings Inc., Stratford. Dispensing applicator for fluids. Patent no. 10,363,405 issued to Jack W. Kaufman, Merrick; James Brown, Armonk. Assigned to Biomed Packaging Systems Inc., Norwalk. Endless belt comprising boron nitride nanotubes. Patent no. 10,365,597 issued to Jin Wu, Pittsford; Lin Ma, Pittsford. Assigned to Xerox, Norwak. Integrated motor and axle apparatus and method. Patent no. 10,363,813 issued to Timothy Richter, Erie, Pennsylvania; Patrick Jansen, Erie, Pennsylvania. Assigned to GE Global Sourcing LLC, Norwalk.
FCBJ
Screw-based retractor with expandable blades. Patent no. 10,363,022 issued to Mark Serokosz, New Fairfield; Eugene Avidano, Stratford; Dylan Freund, Southbury; David Boisvert, Southington. Assigned to Spine Wave Inc., Shelton. Sorting of devices for file distribution. Patent no. 10,366,086 issued to Paul Roberts Conlon, New York; Timothy Luke DioGuardi, Webster; Kenneth B. Schleede, Brockport; Yolanda R. Zhesnik, Webster. Assigned to Xerox, Norwalk. System and method for automated shop print system setup distribution. Patent no. 10,365,861 issued to David C. Robinson, Penfield; Raju Seetharam, Pittsford; Steven E. Haehn, Rochester; Jegan Joseph, Tamil Nadu, India. Assigned to Xerox, Norwalk. System and method for controlling a vehicle system. Patent no. 10,363,949 issued to Brian Nedward Meyer, Fairview, Pennsylvania, Harry Kirk Matthews Jr., Niskayuna; James D. Brooks, Niskayuna; Kristopher Ryan Smith, Melbourne, Florida. Assigned to GE Global Sourcing LLC, Norwalk. System and method for de-skewing substrates and laterally registering images on the substrates in a printer. Patent no. 10,363,756 issued to Paul J. McConville, Webster; Chu-Heng Liu, Penfield; Douglas K. Herrmann, Webster; Seemit Praharaj, Webster. Assigned to Xerox, Norwalk. System and method for digital audio conference workflow management. Patent no. 10,367,861 issued to Rudresha T. Shetty, Nivedita Nagar Mysore, India; Raghunandan Ghagarvale, Chitradurga Hiriyur, India. Assigned to Harman, Stamford. System, apparatus and method for sensing automation picking and stacking. Patent no. 10,364,117 issued to Paul N. Richards, Fairport; Rui Amorim, Fairport; Gaith O. Zayed, Ontario. Assigned to Xerox, Norwalk.
AUGUST 5, 2019
23
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