Fairfield County Business Journal 100118 by Westfair Business Journal

NED LAMONT: THE INTERVIEW

SUCCESSION PLANNING

PAGE

OCTOBER 1, 2018 | VOL. 54, No. 40

YOUR ONLY SOURCE FOR REGIONAL BUSINESS NEWS

Hospitals increasingly relying on donors to meet costs

Selling, not renting

BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN kzimmerman@westfairinc.com

RMS TRYING SOMETHING NEW WITH AINSLIE SQUARE DEVELOPMENT

Randy Salvatore. Photo by Kevin Zimmerman.

BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN kzimmerman@westfairinc.com

ith his Ainslie Square development in Stamford, RMS Cos. founder and CEO Randy Salvatore is taking something of a gamble. Not in the sense that he’s undertaking such a development, per se — the Stamford-based RMS has had plenty of projects in the city — but with the way he’s doing it: Ainslie Square’s 37 townhouses and 25 single-family detached houses are being marketed for sale, something Salvatore said flies in the face of what’s generally happening around the state. “There’s a lot of building going on in Stamford,” he said, “but there’s not much that’s for sale. It’s primarily a rental market in Connecticut in

westfaironline.com

general.” Salvatore said he was familiar with the 4.5-acre property at 159 Colonial Road adjacent to Congregation Agudath Sholom, but had assumed the synagogue had its own plans for the long-underused land — home to a school building and several baseball fields that “hadn’t been used for years.” As it turned out, the synagogue did have plans for the land: Selling it. “They did a very selective marketing effort,” Salvatore said. “They made it clear that it was very important that whatever came here be complementary to them.” RMS ultimately won approval last year with its $6.2 million offer. The school building was demolished over the winter, with construction beginning shortly afterward. » SELLING

ith ongoing cuts in government aid, hospitals and other health care organizations are increasingly looking to philanthropy to fund new facilities, services — and even personnel. “When I arrived here in the late ’90s, charitable contributions were a nice thing to have — an extra source of revenue that could provide for extra resources for the hospital,” said Steve Jakab, president of the Bridgeport Hospital Foundation. “Nineteen years later, philanthropy is a must-have. It’s a strategic, financial imperative for hospitals and health systems everywhere.” “Hospitals and health care systems are certainly feeling pressure from a lack of financial reimbursement,” Greenwich Hospital COO Diane Kelly said. “Often payments are delayed or are less than what the treatment or service cost us.” At issue are both Connecticut’s controversial hospital tax and the practices of the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), whose proposed changes to its 2019 physician fee schedule for Medicare would include a reduction in Medicare reimbursement for new drugs from wholesale acquisition cost, and alter the Merit-based Incentive Performance System. Such organizations as the American Medical Association, the American College of Rheumatology, the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American College of Physicians have objected to the CMS move to create a flat payment for all visits — regardless of the complexity of the case — by reducing four levels of office visits, along with their successively higher rates, into one flat rate. » HOSPITALS

Shelton’s Clearwater Industries marks 25 years in water treatment business BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN kzimmerman@westfairinc.com

MAIN OFFICE TELEPHONE 914-694-3600 OFFICE FAX 914-694-3699 EDITORIAL EMAIL bobr@westfairinc.com WRITE TO 3 Westchester Park Drive, Suite G7 White Plains, N.Y. 10604-3407

ow does one go about getting into the industrial water treatment trade — the not necessarily glamorous business of processing raw water and wastewater to meet tight quality specifications at companies of all sizes? “It was a job,” shrugged Alan Bader. One suspects that the plainspoken founder and president of Clearwater Industries is being overly humble. The Shelton firm just celebrated its 25th anniversary, growing steadily from Bader’s Trumbull home to its recently expanded 415 Bridgeport Ave. offices and warehouse, which now total about 9,000 square feet. Its high-profile customers include Sacred Heart and Harvard universities as well as 20 public school systems — including in Bridgeport, Darien and Greenwich — and a number of hospitals and office buildings. “Boiler inspections, backflow device testing, flushing — they can be pretty dirty, ugly jobs,” Bader said. “But we have a dedicated crew who gets the job done, works well together — and the fact that we’re still here means we’re doing something right.” Indeed, Bader said Clearwater’s revenue has been growing by about 10 percent over the past several years. “I used to dream about us being a million-dollar company,” he chuckled. “But we passed that a while ago.” Bader personally has been in the trade for about 40 years, having worked at Gotham Chemical after realizing that his future would not involve staying at Bader’s TV. That business — a fixture on Black Rock Turnpike in Fairfield for over 50 years — was run by his father, Samuel. “I thought I’d be the king of TV,” Bader said. “We got along as father and son, but when it came to being in business together — not so much.” Having studied chemistry in school, Bader got a job selling “industrial cleaners, degreasers, that kind of stuff” for another firm. He initially got involved with water treatment “as a sideline,” he said, until Gotham Chemical in Norwalk hired him. “I was beating down their door as their competitor,” he said, “so they decided it would be easier just to hire me.”

OCTOBER 1, 2018

FCBJ

Publisher Dee DelBello Managing Editor Bob Rozycki Associate Publisher Anne Jordan Group Associate Publisher Dan Viteri NEWS Copy and Video Editor • Peter Katz Bureau Chief • Kevin Zimmerman Web Editor • Joe Bebon Reporters • Ryan Deffenbaugh, Bill Heltzel, Phil Hall, Georgette Gouveia, Mary Shustack ART & PRODUCTION Creative Director Dan Viteri Art Director Sebastián Flores Art Director Kelsie Mania Digital Content Director Meghan McSharry

Alan Bader, founder and president of Clearwater Industries.

After about 10 years, however, Gotham ran into some legal troubles, Bader said, and he decided to go out on his own. “I was terrified,” he said. “By that time I had a family but no money. I was very fortunate to be able to get my first loan from my brother-in-law to basically pay our bills while I built the business.” Bringing some of his accounts along from Gotham — some of which Bader said remain with him to this day — allowed him to grow from storing empty chemical containers in a specially built space in his Trumbull home to the Bridgeport Avenue address. “It was a little rough at first,” he said. “Even my sister was pretty apprehensive — she told her husband not to loan me the money for what they were then calling the ‘Cockamamie Chemical Company.’ And it took a while — but here we are.” Family clearly continues to play a part at Clearwater. His wife, Pam, was originally in charge of

the office while Bader went on sales and service calls, “I eventually had to fire her,” he laughed. “Dealing with the business all day and then still having to face it at home was too much.” Bader’s son Seth works at Clearwater as manager of special projects and new construction. While the family patriarch said he’d like his daughter, Stephanie, to be a part of it as well, “she’s in Chicago and has made it clear that this isn’t for her.” As with most industries, technology in the water treatment field has continued to evolve. The firm maintains ongoing training for its 14 employees — many of whom have been there for 10 years or more — and is constantly on the lookout for new developments in the products and kinds of services it provides. It continues to maintain a strong relationship with supplier Eastern Technologies, Bader said, emphasizing that Clearwater doesn’t manufacture the industrial cleaning products it utilizes. “We’ve been fortunate in that we all work together and we all

have our own skill sets,” he said. “Some of our guys didn’t even know they had certain skill sets until the need arose.” Resolutely “old school” — he said he’s gotten used to how much business is done today by email rather than phone calls or in-person visits, but only grudgingly — Bader said he relies on the younger members of Clearwater’s team like Technical Director Stephen Ashbolt to stay abreast of many of the latest technological advances, personally preferring to focus on the big picture. He’s also a collector of old metal sign advertisements and of classic cars; several vintage Corvettes and a Firebird make their home in one of Clearwater’s warehouse spaces, joined not long ago by a Porsche. “I thought my wife would really like it,” he said of the latter. Rolling his eyes, he added, “It didn’t really work out that way.” As for his future at Clearwater, Bader said he has no plans to move on from what, after all, began as just “a job.” “I really love it,” he said.

ADVERTISING SALES Manager • Anne Jordan Metro Sales & Custom Publishing Director Barbara Hanlon Account Managers Lisa Cash, Patrice Sullivan Events Sales & Development • Marcia Pﬂug Events Manager • Tracey Vitale AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT & CIRCULATION Circulation Manager • Sylvia Sikoutris Telemarketing Director • Marcia Rudy ADMINISTRATION Contracted CFO Services Adornetto & Company L.L.C. Human Resources & Payroll Services APS PAYROLL Administrative Manager • Robin Costello

Fairﬁeld County Business Journal (USPS# 7100) is published Weekly, 52 times a year by Westfair Communications, Inc., 3 Westchester Park Drive, White Plains, NY 10604. Periodicals Postage rates paid at White Plains, NY, USA 10610. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Fairﬁeld County Business Journal: by Westfair Communications, Inc., 3 Westchester Park Drive, White Plains, NY 10604. Annual subscription $60; $2.50 per issue More than 40 percent of the Business Journal is printed on recycled newsprint. © 2018 Westfair Communications Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

A MEMBER OF

Trifecta

A of Leasing Opportunities

LOCATION • AMENITIES • VIEWS These rare leasing opportunities come with the winning combination of superior on-site amenities, commuter convenience and stunning views of the Mill River Park.

LEASED 7TH FLOOR – 23,800 SF

9TH FLOOR – 14,186 SF

• Centrally located with immediate access to I-95 and all downtown amenities

• 24-hour /7-day access and comprehensive security

• Private shuttle service to Stamford Transportation Center for Metro North, bus and Amtrak service

• Fiber optic connectivity

• Two-story atrium lobby with granite, wood and glass finishes

• Private terraces

Larry Kwiat (203) 363-2341 larry.kwiat@slgreen.com

RECKSONRE

@RECKSON_RE

• Indoor, secure parking garage • Full service café with outdoor dining • Outstanding views of Mill River

Willard Overlock (914) 872-4729 willard.overlock@slgreen.com

@RECKSON_RE

Robert Swierbut (914) 872-4744 robert.swierbut@slgreen.com

RECKSON.COM

RECKSONRE

FCBJ

OCTOBER 1, 2018

The Ned Lamont factor

s the Democratic nominee to be Connecticut’s next governor, Ned Lamont has promised to get the state’s fiscal house in order through a number of initiatives. That is a tall order, when staring down what’s predicted to be a $2 billion-plus deficit. Among the Greenwich resident’s proposals are expanding the $200 state income tax credit over three years; the base credit would grow from $200 to $300 while a “targeted relief” program for 315,000 of the poorest households would provide an average benefit of about $700. To grow jobs, Lamont proposed: • Eliminating the $250 business entity tax imposed every two years on many limited liability partnerships and corporations, as well as other small businesses that are not subject to the state’s corporation tax. • Exempting businesses with less than $10,000 in taxable personal property from municipal property taxation. • Reducing the state’s capital stock tax rate, which is currently the country’s highest at 0.31 percent. Lamont has repeatedly touted his experiences in business as a key qualification, maintaining that he understands both CEOs and labor. He managed the startup of Cablevision’s Fairfield County operations, and in the 1980s founded his own media company, Lamont Television Systems — later renamed Lamont Digital Systems — which was sold in 2015. But as most Connecticut residents are aware, Lamont is no political novice. In 2006, he successfully challenged incumbent U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman for the Democratic nomination — although Lieberman ultimately won re-election by running as an independent. Lamont also unsuccessfully challenged then-Stamford mayor Dannel Malloy to be the Democrats’ standard-bearer in the 2010

OCTOBER 1, 2018

that the governor was not invited to the LOB (Legislative Office Building) when they passed that budget, which was a lousy budget. The legislature, year after year, tinkers with the tax rate and thinks that’s enough.”

Ned Lamont

gubernatorial campaign. Lamont sat down with the Business Journal’s Kevin Zimmerman at New Canaan restaurant Rosie on Sept. 20 to discuss a variety of issues. In the first of two parts, the candidate talks about how he plans to strengthen the state’s economy, where he differs from his Republican opponent Bob Stefanowski, and why he wants to be Connecticut’s 89th governor. First off: Why do you want to be governor? “For the same reasons I did when I ran eight years ago. Connecticut was at a real crossroads then, just as it is now. We need somebody who’s willing to make the tough decisions to get our fiscal house in order. “On a more personal

FCBJ

note, this is where I started a business, met my wife and raised a family. A lot of people these days are saying, ‘To heck with it, I’m outta here.’ I take the opposite point of view. I want to stand up and turn things around.” That’s going to take some doing. The state could be facing a $2 billion budget deficit in fiscal year 2020, which some say could grow by $1.5 million by fiscal 2023. You and Mr. Stefanowski have both maintained that tax cuts are at least a part of the answer, but how do you make up for that lost revenue? “Bob Stefanowski’s plan isn’t to cut the income tax, but to eliminate it — which would cut $10 billion to

We need somebody who’s willing to make the tough decisions to get our fiscal house in order.

$11 billion out of our budget. That’s up to 60 percent of our $20 billion budget. I have some very specific tax cuts that we can pay for. (See “to grow jobs” section in introduction.) Something like the business entity tax is just a hassle for business owners that they don’t need. And getting rid of it isn’t going to solve our problems by itself. But it’s a part of my cutting out the underbrush. “When you’re in a hole like we are, you have to stop digging. Stefanowski’s plan would grow that hole five-to-six fold.” I take it you are not a fan of the bipartisan budget that the state legislature passed earlier this year. “It’s important to note

What would your approach be? “What we have to do is go to where the money is — most of it is in three big buckets that we have some control over. I think those are where we can realize significant savings both in the near-term and the longterm. “First is health care. We should use our purchasing power like New Jersey has done with PBMs under Chris Christie. (Last year the New Jersey governor helped launch the nation’s first online auction to select a pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) to deliver prescription drug benefits to the state’s public employees. That effort is projected to save New Jersey taxpayers more than $1.5 billion over the next three years, without cuts in benefits.) We should look at that as a way of saving hundreds of millions of dollars while driving down some drug prices. “In Connec ticut, Medicaid is more likely to send people to nursing homes than allow them to go home. You’re looking at a third of the cost of that by letting them stay at home.” And the second bucket? “Pensions and the structural deficit we have there. There are some who blame the teachers — ‘They’re overpaid and underworked’ — which, first, is not a way to get anything done, and secondly it’s false. “If you have a 70-yearold teacher who’s worked for 35 years in a New Canaan public school, they’re counting on that pension — it’s the only thing they have to live on. So don’t blame her for what’s happening, which is what governors have been doing going back 50 years.

Citrin Cooperman Corner Estate Planning Uncertainty Under the TJCA BY HEATHER OBODA, CPA

HEATHER OBODA There’s a key element of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2018 (TCJA) that everyone seems to be talking about: estate planning. Under the TCJA, the estate tax exclusion amount has been raised significantly. A single person now has an $11,180,000 ($11M) lifetime exclusion and a married couple can have up to a $22,360,000 ($22M) exclusion. There have been many reactions to this element of the TCJA, many of which are misguided.

Chef Rosie Bonura talks with Ned Lamont at her namesake restaurant in New Canaan.

“I’ve been very clear — the teachers will be at the table, with me and business, to come up with a real financial solution that solves the friggin’ problem.” And that solution would include? “Our liabilities are going up faster than our assets right now. The Connecticut State Lottery is supposed to be for education, so let’s use that money to reduce our pension fund liabilities. We’re not solving that problem in a year, but if we spread (payments) out over a number of years, it would at least stabilize the problem.” And the third bucket? “Municipal aid and ECS (Educational Cost Sharing grants, the formula the state uses to send money directly to cities and towns). The Stefanowski plan would cut state aid to education to smithereens and would devastate our cities and our towns by cutting up to 80 percent

in some towns. That would result in hundreds of teachers fired, a great increase in the property tax, or some combination of both. “The first thing is to do no harm. We have 169 municipalities that cannot afford to continue subsidize inefficiencies. Sharing services is something I’d explore. Why do we need 169 tax collectors, or over 100 superintendents and deputy superintendents? We have more administrators outside of the classroom than we do teachers inside. “But the key is you don’t do it with a club. We need to work together to solve our problems.” In his ads and at the debates, Mr. Stefanowski has repeatedly cited your May interview with WPLR’s “Chaz & AJ Show,” where, when asked if you would raise taxes, you said, “Yes.” Can you explain what you meant? “What I said was, ‘Yeah,

we’ll look at some things.’ Specifically I would tax tractor-trailer trucks coming in and out of the state by electronic tolling, which would bring in $100 million. All of our neighboring states have some kind of tolls. What I’m proposing is something similar to what Rhode Island is doing, by limiting tolls to tractor-trailers. “The truckers don’t like it, but we need to do something — we have over 300 bridges that are in terrible shape. Look, you’ve got to pay your bills in life and the gas tax is not going to do it in this era of electric cars.” In the concluding part of our interview with Lamont next week, the candidate discusses the legalization of sports betting and the recreational use of marijuana, improving the state’s infrastructure, and his thoughts on Dan Malloy and Donald Trump — as well as more about his opponent Bob Stefanowski.

One reaction is for single taxpayers with estates under the $11M exclusion amount to assume that they don’t have to alter their plans. However, New York has different rules than the new federal law. New York has a “cliff,” not an exclusion, and for 2018 that cliff amount is $5,250,00 ($5M). It is called a cliff because, once you exceed $5M, you could be paying $2 of taxes to New York for every $1 over the cliff amount. Though New York’s transfer tax policy is expected to match the federal policy by January 1, 2019, the cliff amount will only go up to $5.6M at that time, the amount the federal exemption was expected to be indexed to for inflation, before the TJCA changed the federal exemption. Therefore, in cases where a New York estate is between $5.6M and $11.2M, planning is encouraged to mitigate state estate tax. If you don’t live in New York, you should educate yourself on your state’s rules. Even those who have already planned their estate should take another look at their will, as the new law will sunset in 2025, potentially leaving your estate at risk for a full decade. In the case of some older estate plans, many people still assume their assets will be distributed in a certain way, however, their wills may now be out of date. For example, take a married couple with $11M in assets in the husband’s name. Prior the TCJA, the couple left provisions in their will for a trust to be funded for their grandchildren at an amount not exceeding the generation skipping exemption (GST). This plan may have been sufficient when the exemption amount was $1M or $5M. If the husband were to pass now, the trust will receive the full $11M in assets and the surviving spouse will be left broke. So, be brave, open that wall safe, and review your will or revocable trust documents with your advisor to see if your original plan still upholds. In some cases, a surviving spouse chooses not to file because each spouse has below $11M in assets and together they are under the $22M exemption, assuming they avoid the transfer tax. However, this only holds true if an estate tax return has been filed electing for portability. Portability is when you use the decedent spouse’s unused estate tax exemption and

add it to the surviving spouse’s exemption. Unfortunately, portability is only a federal option, not applicable in New York. Many spouses have “I love you wills,” so that, when one spouse dies, the estate assets transfer to the surviving spouse. Some people don’t want to take the time or expense to file an estate tax return when the first spouse dies, but this could be a bad choice. What if the market sky rockets? What if you win the lotto? Or, more practically, what if you pass away after 2026 and your taxable estate is now $16M but the present estate tax provisions have sunset, and the estate tax exemption returns to $5M? Your estate will be paying tax on $11M, so your heirs would be receiving less money. Other reactions include taxpayers considering the option of using up as much of the $11,180,000 exclusion now, through gifting. Some are in favor of gifting to the younger generations, especially the $15,000 annual exclusion. The issue still outstanding with larger gifts is that the Treasury hasn’t yet given any guidance on what happens in 2026 after the estate tax provision sunsets and we go back to a lower exclusion amount. We also can’t forget that current provisions could also be altered or revoked with a change in the political administration, before the scheduled sunset date of 2025. Will the gifts over the $15,000 annual exclusion be required to be added back to the estate? If they are, you will be no worse off than if you never made the gift. If they are not, you removed a lot of assets from your estate. Gifting low-basis assets is another option that may not be prudent. When you gift assets, the recipient gets your carry-over basis. Under the TCJA, there is still a step up in basis at death, whether or not you have a taxable estate. As an example, if you have property you bought for $50,000 that is now worth $750,000, a gift would result in the recipient getting a basis in the asset of $50,000, but if the property were inherited, the basis would be $750,000, or the fair market value at the date of death. When the property is sold, the recipient would save $140,000 in income tax if they were to receive the property at your death, as opposed to receiving the gift during your lifetime. An option is to make your annual exclusion gifts, and to start thinking about what you are comfortable doing in terms of larger gifting. Remember, once you gift it away, you may not be able to get it back. In conclusion, don’t be penny wise and pound foolish. Take the time to review your documents, make educated decisions, and don’t get all of your advice from your friend, unless your friend is an estate planning professional.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Heather M. Oboda, CPA, is a tax director in Citrin Cooperman’s White Plains office and has nearly 20 years of accounting experience with a focus in trust and estates. Heather can be reached at 914.949.2990 or at hoboda@ citrincooperman.com. Citrin Cooperman is a full-service accounting and consulting firm with 10 locations throughout the East Coast. Visit us at citrincooperman.com.

FCBJ

OCTOBER 1, 2018

Selling—

Salvatore said that the houses are being completed with an eye to being occupied by the end of this year, while the townhouses should be completed by next summer. “Nine or 10 of the homes have already been sold,” he said. “We’re really excited about that velocity. “It’s a unique product,” being for sale rather than for rent, Salvatore continued. “There hasn’t been something like this being done in Stamford for over a decade.” He touted its location — “it’s near downtown, but it’s not in downtown, which is right down the street” — as a particular selling point. The townhouses’ prices start in the mid-$500,000s while the single-family homes are priced at $749,000 (three-bedroom) and $819,900 (four-bedroom) — though Salvatore said those numbers have already been changing. “We’ve been able to make two price increases in the past three weeks,” he said. “Interest is so strong — I haven’t seen it like this in

Hospitals—

Such changes would lower reimbursements for hospital outpatient department services to match rates set by the physician fee schedule for clinic visits. The changes would, according to CMS, “advance the agency’s priority of creating a patient-centered health care system by achieving greater price transparency, interoperability and significant burden reduction so that hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers can operate with better flexibility and patients have what they need to become active health care consumers.” Even before such changes were proposed — the Connecticut hospital tax is also being revised — Dr. John Murphy, president and CEO of the Western Connecticut Health Network told the Business Journal in

OCTOBER 1, 2018

a long time.” Designed as a “neighborhood within a neighborhood,” Ainslie Square will also feature a clubhouse containing a fitness center, meeting room and fireside lounge as well as an outdoor heated pool. Salvatore said that while RMS has a number of

projects around the state, it’s particularly bullish on Stamford. “The urbanization here has really been something to see,” he said. “You’re seeing it around the country now, but Stamford was one of the first in Connecticut to start down that road.” At the same time, he

continued, the city’s diversity has emerged as one of its strengths. “We’ve seen it here (at Ainslie Square),” he said. “We’ve been getting inquiries from everyone from millennials to empty nesters to first-time homebuyers and people with kids.” RMS expected such a

draw, he said, by providing diverse options at the property, consisting of 37 three-level townhouses, featuring three bedrooms and 3.5 baths totaling about 1,900 square feet; 10 four-bedroom, 3.5 bath single-family homes of approximately 3,000 square feet; and 15 three-bedroom, 2.5 bath single-family homes at 2,400 square feet. All homes come with a twocar garage. Salvatore noted that RMS’ commitment to Stamford also includes the 116 apartment units in the six-story building at 900 Washington Blvd. being leased to UConn Stamford students. “That’s really been a success for UConn, which makes it a success for Stamford,” he said. One of RMS’ main projects outside the county at the moment involves converting four vacant lots surrounding Hartford’s Dunkin’ Donuts Park into luxury housing and retail space. RMS’ successful refurbishment of that city’s Goodwin Hotel helped its Dunkin’ Donuts cause, Salvatore said.

That three-phase project, involving the construction of 800 apartments and 60,000 square feet of retail space, will cost just above $200 million, with most of the financing coming primarily from private funds. Salvatore noted that RMS is hardly alone in finding development projects around the state — which, he said, belies the popular impression that Connecticut as a whole is moribund. “There’s a confidence issue for Connecticut right now,” he said, “which has been a real obstacle in attracting some people and companies here. And that’s fueled by something like all the reporting there was about GE leaving Fairfield, which was what, 200 jobs? Meanwhile you have Infosys coming to Hartford and promising 1,000 jobs, but that doesn’t get the same kind of play.” “There are a lot of good things about Connecticut — it’s just that the story isn’t being told properly,” Salvatore said. “There isn’t a ‘real’ crisis here — it’s more of a public relations crisis.”

January that WCHN’s hospitals — Danbury, Norwalk and New Milford — collectively lost $80 million last year in Medicaid benefits that were not reimbursed, and that WCHN pays about $180 million a year in state taxes. “We are chronically under-reimbursed for our costs,” Jakab said. “That creates an operational gap for the hospital and over time those pressures have increased.” Thus has the need to rely on philanthropy grown. Fortunately for the hospitals, donors are stepping up. “We’re fortunate in that the communities we serve like to be a part of us reaching our goals,” Kelly said. “We’re always focused on fundraising,” added Noël Appel, chief development officer for the Greenwich Hospital Foundation. “And we have received almost unrestricted support in

receiving very valuable funding, which we then designate for where we see the greatest need.” “Fundraising has become a staple in CEOs’ conversations and meetings,” affirmed Grace Linhard, WCHN’s chief development officer. “And we’ve found that people who have supported the organization in the past are likely to continue to do so.” As for attracting new donors, Linhard said, “We’re always coming up with new and creative ways to engage the population” through a variety of events, direct mail and other means. “Priorities are key,” Linhard said. “Donors usually want to know what their money’s impact will be and more and more we let them know exactly what their donations are going to do.” Others, she said, “love Danbury Hospital so much

that they just tell us to do what we want. But those are becoming less and less the case.” While the results of some donations are obvious — such as the new Allison Family Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Bridgeport Hospital, a modernization of its existing NICU that will expand its patient area and improve its care for premature babies and their families — others are less so. “Donations can also go a long way toward helping us hire staff,” Linhard said, pointing to Ridgefield drugmaker Boehringer Ingelheim’s ongoing support for the outreach efforts of the Greater Danbury Community Care Team’s (CCT) peer engagement specialist. Since November 2017, the Danbury CCT’s peer engagement specialist has worked with more than 40 of the highest-risk CCT clients, Linhard said when

announcing Boehringer’s latest donation, $40,000, in September. Another byproduct of the new philanthropic reality for hospitals is the possibility of having certain projects funded entirely by donors. Such was the case with a new inpatient pediatric unit at Danbury and a pledge by the McGraw family — founders of global multimedia publishing company McGraw-Hill — of up to $3 million in a challenge gift to establish the McGraw Family Center for Advanced Learning at Norwalk Hospital. The $7 million NICU at Bridgeport was its first to be fully funded by philanthropists, Jakab said. “That was something that we started working on about three years ago, at the end of our fiscal year 2016. “Then when fiscal 2017 revenue was not what we’d hoped it would be,” he continued, “(Bridgeport

Hospital President and CEO) Bill Jennings and I had a conversation. The foundation had never assumed entire responsibility for a capital project of this magnitude — typically something like that comes from a cost-sharing approach with the hospital. But Bill and I finally agreed that this was the right project to try (funding with) this other approach.” Each of the hospitals said that donations look to be on the rise for the rest of this year and into 2019. “It’s amazing to me how vested and excited people are with the hospital and health system,” Kelly said. “People are continuing to be very generous with their time, their talent and — quite honestly — their treasure.” “Philanthropy is essential today to fulfill our mission to provide the highest quality care that we possibly can,” Jakab said.

FCBJ

WANT A TRUE HR PARTNER? Get the personalized guidance, ongoing compliance support and HR expertise your business needs to be successful for the long haul.

We get to know your company, help you identify obstacles and offer proven solutions. FULL-SERVICE HR

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

HR SOFTWARE

insperity.com | 203.920.0012

FCBJ

OCTOBER 1, 2018

Euphoria mixes commerce, community Entrepreneur’s Portable, Gourmet Food Concept Appeals to Health-Conscious Individuals Seeking Fast-Food Convenience A WOMEN’S BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL SUCCESS STORY: ERIN JERDE, FOUNDER AND CEO, CORNER HARVEST

ravelers rushing through the airport in search of a quick bite to eat before boarding often have little choice than the predictable array of fast-food chains with a dearth of healthy menu options. But as of September 2018, travelers at Newark Airport will be able to avail themselves of two vending kiosks offering fresh, gourmet jarred salads made by Stamford-based Corner Harvest. Corner Harvest is owned by 34-year-old Erin Jerde, a former nurse practitioner turned entrepreneur. She’s a health and fitness enthusiast who was inspired by a similar business she encountered while living abroad with her husband, Garett. “There were these incredible, nutritious salads in a jar that people could order for lunch and have delivered to their offices by bike. I loved the concept and couldn’t wait to bring something similar back home,” she said. When she returned to the states in the summer of 2017, Jerde turned to the Women’s Business Development Council for help with making her concept a reality. “I was getting into an industry that I wasn’t familiar with,” she said. “Accounting, marketing and building sales from scratch –it was all foreign to me.” Jerde, who was in her third trimester of pregnancy at the time, registered for the Council’s GPS (Guide to Plan for Success) class led by business counselor Carole Cheswick. “I learned so much about everything from finding an accountant to writing a business plan, finding food suppliers and how to set up my business structure. Carole was able to lay it out in a much clearer way than I could find in a book or by looking it up online.” Despite missing the last class of the GPS course because she was having a baby, she also became involved in the Women’s Business Development Council’s nine-week New Entrepreneur program and Jumpstart Your Business course. “The Women’s Business Development Council helped me determine which markets would have the largest potential demand for the product. It was a complete shift away from the markets I was originally intending to pursue,” she explained. Erin partnered with chef Marc Weber of Stamford’s “On the Marc” and Amos Bigler, executive chef at On The Marc to help create a menu and original dressings. Billed by the company as ‘Salad with a Twist,’ the chefs created six varieties of gourmet salads packed with a range of nutritious ingredients such as chickpeas, black beans, fresh beets, kale, sprouts, cracked wheat and more, all priced at

OCTOBER 1, 2018

FCBJ

Catherine Hornyak, owner of the new second-hand store Euphoria in Norwalk. Photo by Phil Hall.

BY PHIL HALL phall@westfairinc.com

T $10 to $11 per jar. Since formally launching in February of 2018, the brand has found incredible success in home and corporate deliveries for customers in Fairfield and Westchester counties and currently employs a staff of eight. “We’ve also tapped into coffee shops and specialty grocery stores and we’re in three locations of We Work in Manhattan,” Jerde said. She said that plans are underway to place more kiosks in airports, shopping malls and to expand their footprint in New York City. Corner Harvest is also targeting customers such as schools and universities, hospitals, country clubs, as well as catering for corporate events, food and music festivals and sports venues where a healthy, portable dining option is in demand. Her husband, Garett, is undeniably the biggest fan of his wife’s achievements. “Erin is 100 percent the brand; she personally lives the lifestyle she is promoting through her healthy meals. I attribute all of the growth to her hitting the pavement and knocking on doors, building trust with her clients and creating a fantastic product. It’s not easy to launch a new brand with a newborn, but she absolutely crushed that aspect.” “Erin shot for the moon,” he proudly said. “And she reached it.” The Women’s Business Development Council is a nonprofit providing the training, education and borrowing power necessary for women to launch and grow their businesses. For more information visit ctwbdc.org.

he latest entry in Norwalk’s retail scene is not found within the trendy parameters of SoNo or bordering the traffic-clogged thoroughfares of routes 1 and 7. Instead, it is a small store offering second-hand merchandise that is tucked away on a side street in the gritty, working-class Whistleville section of the city where retail outlets are few and far between. The new store is called Euphoria — perhaps an appropriate name, considering the selection of items packed into the snug 600-square-foot space. Since its opening Sept. 1, Euphoria has presented a happy mix of yesteryear’s pop culture and today’s items that are ready for another go-round. Clothing, furnishings and appliances share space with vintage toys, framed art, previously owned CDs and DVDs and what could only be described (for lack of a better word) as tchotchkes. An ebullient plastic Halloween pumpkin greets the visitors entering the 5 Mulvoy St. establishment while an Elvis Presley Christmas album and a trio of boxed G.I. Joe dolls from the Vietnam War era occupy places of honor on a shelf above the store’s front counter. And not unlike the merchandise, the store’s owner Catherine Hornyak is enjoying a second lease on life. “I had a very bad acci-

dent many years ago and I’ve had spinal stenosis and a lot of medical issues,” she explained. “But I persevered. I have three kids that are all grown and I wanted something for me now.” Hornyak’s lifelong interest in acquiring knickknacks and antiques helped build the store’s initial selection. Indeed, she expressed surprise that people know her for her collecting talents. “I’m always in a position where I am at someone’s house and people say, ‘Catherine, I don’t wear these clothes anymore — would you like to have them?’” she continued. “And I’m like, ‘Sure!’” Yet Hornyak doesn’t approach Euphoria from a total sense of commerce, but rather with a holistic appeal to community. Free coffee, tea and bottled water is served and a comfy couch enables shoppers to relax and chat with the highly personable proprietor. “I’ve had so many people come in and say, ‘You’re like an angel, we love to talk to you,’” she said. “People love coming in here — they feel it is a real homey atmosphere. I want them to feel comfortable that they can come in and talk to me. They can stay for hours — I don’t care, I’ve made a lot of connections.” And Hornyak is not shy about using her connections to help those whose needs extend beyond her inventory. She recalled meeting a young woman of very limited financial needs who received an apartment from the state

but lacked the means to furnish it. Hornyak made a few telephone calls to her circle and the young woman quickly had a bed delivered to her apartment. Word of Hornyak’s altruism has spread in the neighborhood and her good deeds are being fueled by those who adhere to the concept of paying it forward. “Now, I have people drop stuff at the door to help people, because they know I help people,” she said. “If people come to me and say, ‘If you can give me a little bit of a break,’ I can do it because I know what it’s like. Some people just can’t afford a lot.” But that’s not to say that Euphoria is a retailer of last resort for the cash-strapped. Hornyak has advertised the store on Craigslist, emphasizing its esoteric and eclectic offerings, and has welcomed visitors in search of something out of the ordinary. “The typical customer is like me and you,” she said. “They come in looking for they don’t know what, but they’re just happy to be able to find it. You can walk through and, believe me, you can find something. I’m not Walmart, but I have stuff from the old days. I have stuff that might remind you of your mother and your father. I have stuff that you had when you were a kid.” And if it that item is not in the store, Hornyak insisted that “I will actually help you find that item, and I won’t stop until I do.” If one item bedazzles shoppers, Hornyak observed, it’s her diverse selection of jewelry. “Everyone loves jewelry, even men,” she laughed. Hornyak is already preparing to expand Euphoria’s square footage by taking over a warehouse behind the store, which she said is double the current space. She is also planning a Halloween party of the neighborhood children, which she said would reinforce the sense of community that her retail outlet seeks to generate. “The reason I named it Euphoria is because it’s a happy state of mind,” she said.

ASK ANDI | Andi Gray

Building up proﬁt margins I don’t want lowmargin sales and don’t want to sell low-margin products. But it’s hard to turn down opportunities from clients that have work for us. THOUGHTS OF THE DAY: Take a look at your mix of business overall. Having a mix of prices and margins can be good for business. Figure out how much selling effort goes into getting a customer and what does low-margin work play in bringing in new customers. Find an alternative distribution route. Create a grid of all products and/or services that you sell, one column for revenue, one for gross profit dollars,

Andi Gray

one for gross profit percentage, plus columns for number of selling costs, new customers, total customers and percentage of total sales. Use this grid to analyze what’s going on in terms of quantity, price and profit. Carefully analyze all low-margin items to be sure you fully understand and have allocated all costs. Be sure that even your least profitable items contribute something toward the bottom line. Make sure that any

low-margin work that you decide to stick with is relatively easy to produce and has few, if any, variables. Control the margin by making this service or product “cookie-cutter” work — every item produced looks the same, is produced the same way and gets delivered the same way. Build up margin by creating an up-charge for customization and special handling. The same goes for rush jobs, items requested in smaller than normally offered quantities, alterations and outof-season orders. In other words, exceptions cost the buyer more and serve to drive more profit to your bottom line. Willingly and gladly supply the kid-glove special treatment that some customers desire. Make them pay extra for it. Offer buyers combination packages by putting a low-margin item together

with a high-margin item. Consider slightly discounting the package price, if necessary, to attract the middle-of-the-road buyer. In the process, get your average buyer to increase the overall size of the order, purchasing more quantity because they got a “deal.” Make sure your customers know you have more options to offer. When someone asks for or clicks on a low-margin item, be sure to show them something a bit more upscale and point out the enhancements of the higher-margin item. You never know when a customer will bite on something that they perceive to be a superior solution, even though they first contacted your company looking for a low-price option. Be sure to include selling costs when calculating the relative profit of each product or service that your com-

2018 giving back. is the year of

pany offers. It’s imperative that the low-margin products at a minimum cover their selling costs so that your company doesn’t take a loss. In some cases, owners have been surprised to find out that higher-margin services and products, with a demand for hand holding, don’t make much more than the lower-priced, lower-margin cookie-cutter items. Take a look at the role your low-margin items play in bringing in new customers. As they say, variety is the spice of life. As long as you’re actually making a profit on every item that you sell, low-margin work can fill one or more needs, from acting as a loss leader to bring in new customers who want to test the waters to filling in revenue or profit hole, to keeping things busy in slow periods. Look for a wholesaler who might be willing to buy

your low-margin materials and resell them. Eliminate the cost of handling lower-volume, low-margin customers by making them someone else’s problem. Let the wholesaler figure out how to make money on the items. LOOKING FOR A GOOD BOOK? Try “Managing Customers for Profit: Strategies to Increase Profits and Build Loyalty” by V. Kumar. Andi Gray is president of Strate�y Leaders Inc., Strate�yLeaders.com, a business-consulting �irm that teaches companies how to double revenue and triple pro�its in repetitive growth cycles. Have a question for AskAndi? Wondering how Strate�y Leaders can help your business thrive? Call or email for a free consultation and diagnostics: 877-238-3535, AskAndi@ Strate�yLeaders.com.

Let us review the accepted proposal for your organization’s last fundraiser or corporate event so we can provide a competitive proposal for your next event. We will donate a gift certificate for $150 to Sam’s of Gedney Way as a thank you for the opportunity. FOR NON-PROFITS: If we cater this year’s

fundraiser, we will donate 5% back in auction items or catering upgrades. FOR CORPORATIONS: If we cater this

year’s corporate event, we will donate 5% back in auction items or catering upgrades to your charity of choice.

N Y H O S P I TA L I T Y G R O U P

A grand way to celebrate

CONTACT David Pellon • david@nyhgroup.com 914.949.3543 • www.caperberryevents.com/nyhgroup

FCBJ

OCTOBER 1, 2018

DO YOU KNOW A MILLENNIAL WHO CAN CHANGE THE WORLD? PRESENTED BY:

Millennials, the largest segment of the workforce, are critical for future economic growth and innovative platforms. Nominate an exceptional millennial* who can change the world in the following categories:

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT • GREEN • INNOVATION • “MILLIPRENEUR” (ENTREPRENEUR) • CREATIVE • TECHNOLOGY • MEDICAL • NONPROFIT • FINANCE BRONZE SPONSORS:

*Living or working in Fairfield or Westchester counties, age 21-34

A CALL FOR NOMINATIONS Nomination Deadline:

OCTOBER 16 SUPPORTERS:

NOMINATE AT:

westfaironline.com/events

Awards Reception:

NOVEMBER 13 For event info, contact: Tracey Vitale at tvitale@westfairinc.com or 914-358-0762 For sponsorship inquiries, contact: Marcia Pflug at mpflug@wfpromote.com or 203-733-4545

OCTOBER 1, 2018

FCBJ

DECD acknowledges errors in report about job creation, tax credits BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN kzimmerman@westfairinc.com

onnecticut Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Catherine Smith has acknowledged and apologized for the DECD’s inaccurate and unsupported information about job creation and tax credits. The inaccuracies in the DECD’s 2017 Annual Report — uncovered by state auditors and reported in April — included overstating the number of jobs created and retained, misreporting information, failing to collect certain required information and reporting estimates

Catherine Smith

that were off by tens of millions of dollars. “This is an unacceptable level of errors,” Smith told members of the General Assembly’s appropriations; commerce; and finance, revenue and bonding committees on Sept 25. “Not acceptable to any of us from DECD and certainly not acceptable to the legislature, so we will find a way to make this better.” While Smith said that Connecticut is “seeing very positive results from the programs we have,” she said DECD and the Gov. Dannel Malloy administration “again apologize for the small errors.” The auditors found that those errors included DECD understating tax credits relat-

ed to investments in industrial sites by $71 million; exaggerating total credits earned by $14.9 million; understating film production infrastructure tax credits issued by $7.2 million; and overstating film and digital media production tax credits issued by about $1 million. DECD also understated the amount of assistance to manufacturers by $73.8 million in its portfolio by failing to include 14 projects, according to the audit. Smith said DECD is in the midst of installing new technology to be more consistently correct, as part of the misreporting was due to some data inaccuracies in the organization’s financial system.

Personal income up 4.2 percent

age earners in Connecticut and New York ranked average nationwide in personal income growth during the second quarter, according to data by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The personal income in the two states grew at an annual rate of 4.2 percent in the second quarter. Among all 50 states, Connecticut ranked 22nd and New York placed 23rd. Texas led the nation with a 6 percent growth rate in the second quarter, while Washington trailed far behind with a 1.6 percent rate. Within the New England region, Connecticut and Maine tied with a 4.2 percent personal income growth rate, but the region averaged 3 percent due to weaker growth rates in Vermont, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. New York, which was placed in the Mideast region by the BEA, tied with Delaware for the highest rate in a geographic corridor that averaged 3.7 percent. — Phil Hall

NEWS NOON

YOUR TECHNICAL EXPERT

Consultative Services Corporate AV is your offsite technical expert, ensuring that you’re getting the right service at a fair price.

YOUR TRUSTED REPRESENTATIVE

Collaboration Services Corporate AV is there for you — in person — because audio and visual components are crucial to the success of your event.

YOUR TEAM

Comprehensive Audiovisual Production Services Corporate AV will take the stress and worry out of event planning. Leave the AV Production to us.

Celebrating our 33rd year, we are experts in audiovisual production for live events. We provide cutting-edge audio, video and streaming, lighting, and staging solutions for corporate, healthcare and non-profit sectors. Eliminate the guess-work. We know it must be perfect. Trust Corporate AV to produce and execute the seamless and impressive event you need — time and time again.

FCBJ

OCTOBER 1, 2018

‘Who’s Next?’ to take over a business PRESENTED BY:

BY PETER KATZ pkatz@westfairinc.com

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER westfaironline.com/events

MENTORS THAT HAVE INSPIRED LEADERSHIP WHEN: October 2 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (LUNCH INCLUDED)

WHERE: THE OSBORN 101 Theall Road, Rye

GOLD SPONSOR:

How to succeed and lead ◆ Learn to take risks Take responsibility ◆ Reap the benefits ◆ Own what you create

“THE PERFECT MIX: EVERYTHING I KNOW ABOUT LEADERSHIP I LEARNED AS A BARTENDER” Find out from our keynoter, author Helen Rothberg

Professor of Strategy, Marist College, Consultant, Leadership, Trainer PANELISTS INCLUDE:

SILVER SPONSOR:

SUPPORTERS:

MARCY BERMAN-GOLDSTEIN, MD

HOLLY MITCHELL, B.F.A.

I Am More Scarsdale, Co-Founder Board-Certified Radiologist, Specializing in Women’s Imaging

CEO, CPW Dentistry and Founder of the LeadWell Network

FRAN PASTORE

DANIEL TRUST

Chief Executive Officer Women’s Business Development Council

Daniel Trust President & CEO Daniel Trust Foundation

For more information or sponsorship inquiries, contact Barbara Hanlon at bhanlon@westfairinc.com or 914-358-0766. For more event information or questions, contact Tracey Vitale at tvitale@westfairinc.com or 914-358-0762.

OCTOBER 1, 2018

FCBJ

wners of closely held businesses need to start planning five or even 10 years in advance if they hope to avoid complications when it’s time to turn the business over to other family members or maximize value for a sale to outsiders, according to experts who participated in a Sept. 25 event covering business succession strategies. The forum “Who’s Next?” was designed to help business owners understand what they need to do to prepare to exit their businesses. “Historically, when you would ask business owners what do they expect to do with the business it was about a 50/50 mix — give it to the family or move it on to someone in the family or sell it to outsiders,” said Andi Gray, founder of the consulting firm Strategy Leaders Inc. Gray was the keynote speaker and moderator of a panel featuring Joseph R. Bodan, a partner at accounting firm PKF O’Connor Davies; Nicholas S. Marra, senior vice president and regional manager for Webster Bank; and Gregory W. Kearney, senior vice president and financial consultant at Webster Bank. Gray noted that what actually happened was not always what the owners had intended: only about 15 percent of businesses actually got to the second-generation family members and about 5 percent subsequently got to the third generation. “While 50 percent thought they were going to get the family engaged, it didn’t happen so much,” she said. Gray cited figures from the Estate Planning Institute that about 20 to 30 percent of the businesses going to market actually are selling right now. Bodan suggested that how the business is structured can make a difference in its attractiveness to potential buyers. He said that consideration should be given to being an “S” corporation because you don’t know whether the deal is going to be selling assets or stock and you might be able to avoid the double taxation that can come from being a “C” corporation. Where small-business owners hurt themselves is in not surrounding themselves with the “right” people who have needed expertise, according to Marra. “The right people change as your business changes. There’s no one right person that’s gonna take you from inception to selling, but the key to the equation is in paying for the right information when you need it to be successful,” he said. In Kearney’s view, “Business owners actually have to sit down with a licensed planner or somebody that they’re comfortable with to go through what is it that they want from the business. Do they need a cash flow? What is it they want to go to beneficiaries? Do they just want to leave a legacy? Do they want to leave

money to charity? Do they want to minimize estate taxes? How to you take assets out of an illiquid business? How do you turn that into a cash flow down the road, through trusts, etc.?” “Information is the key,” Marra said. “That idea of game planning and goal setting has to start sooner (rather) than later. By the time you’re ready to sell, it’s too late. There are too many things that have to fall into place and then it becomes more luck than skill, and I for one don’t want to depend on luck. I’d rather know where I’m headed and what that outcome’s gonna be.” The presenting sponsors of the noontime event held at the Whitby Castle in Rye were Webster Bank and Westfair Communications, publisher of the Westchester and Fairfield County Business Journals and WAG magazine.

Photos by Sebastián Flores. 1. Laura Donovan and Eddie Monroy 2. Joseph Bodan, Nicholas Marra, Andi Gray and Gregory Kearney 3. Megan Lucas and Merin Joseph 4. Robert Rosenberg and Mellany Bagtas 5. Alice Fratus-Nodel and John Yankovich 6. Nicholas Marra, John Guy, Shari Miller, Nick Parisi, and Mike Traynor

TECH TALK

10 Ways To Protect Your Business From A Cyber Attack

Did you know that cybercrime is a 1.5 trillion-dollar industry? Yes, I called it an industry, sad but true and everyone is a target. As an executive, the onus falls on you to ensure that the proper safeguards are in place. This is a daunting task when attacks are coming from every direction. Vulnerabilities include mobile devices, PC's, servers, cloud applications, email, websites, control systems (IoT) and last but not least humans. Unfortunately, there’s no magic bullet. Defense in depth is the best strategy and achieved through a layered approach. A multitude of tools must be utilized to mitigate threats from multiple attack vectors. I’ve put together a list of safeguards that should be on your radar.

Did you know?

1 in 5

Small businesses will suffer a cyber breach this year.

81%

Of all breaches happen to small and mediumsized businesses.

97%

Of breaches could have been prevented with today’s technology.

1. SECURITY ASSESSMENT It's important to establish a baseline and close existing vulnerabilities. When was your last assessment? Get a certified cybersecurity professional to do this on a routine basis.

8. WEB SECURITY Internet security is a race against time. Use web security products to detect threats as they emerge on the internet and blocks them within seconds – before they reach the user.

2. EMAIL SECURITY Secure your email with enhanced security features. Basic antispam is not enough.

9. ENCRYPTION Enable hard drive encryption and encrypted file systems whenever possible. The goal is to encrypt files at rest, in motion (think file transfer) and especially on laptops.

3. PASSWORD SECURITY Apply security policies on your network. Examples: Deny or limit USB file storage access, enable enhanced password policies, set user screen timeouts, and limit user access.

Leonard Galati

4. SECURITY AWARENESS TRAINING Utilize services to train your users - often! Teach them about data security, email attacks, and your policies and procedures. The HUMAN FIREWALL is one of your biggest weak spots.

6. DARK WEB RESEARCH Utilize a Dark Web scanning service. Knowing in realtime what passwords and accounts have been posted on the Dark Web will allow you to be proactive in preventing a data breach.

5. ADVANCED ENDPOINT SECURITY Protect your computers and data from malware, viruses, and cyber-attacks with advanced endpoint security. Regular Antivirus won’t cut it anymore. Today's latest technology can even rollback a ransomware attack.

7. SIEM (SECURITY INCIDENT & EVENT MANAGEMENT) Use a SIEM product to collect logs from machines and network devices, review data, correlate data with threat intelligence feeds, and deliver actionable intelligence to thwart attacks.

10. BACKUP & DISASTER RECOVERY Backup local and offsite to the cloud. Include in your DR plan a way to spin up servers and access data in the event of a disaster. Test backups often.

If you would like to learn more about implementing these safeguards: http://www.cyberteam.us/contact-us or call 914-417-4814. Leonard Galati is a CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) and the CEO of CYBERTEAM a Westchester based IT Services & Cybersecurity company servicing Westchester and Fairfield Counties.

FCBJ

OCTOBER 1, 2018

BUSINESS TO BUSINESS NETWORKING, BUSINESS SHOWCASE, PRIZES AND MORE! EXPO | 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | No Admission Fee | Bring Your Business Cards LUNCH PROGRAM | 12:00 Noon - 1:30 p.m. Navigating Our Increasingly Digital World FEATURING NITIN J. MHATRE

Executive Vice President, Head of Community Banking Webster Bank and Webster Financial Corporation (NYSE: WBS) Pre-Registration Required: BRBC Members: $35 | General Admission: $50

AFTER HOURS NETWORKING & COCKTAILS | 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Sponsored by: Ashcroft, Berchem Moses, and R.C. Bigelow Incorporated Pre-Registration Required: BRBC Members: $15 | General Admission $25 Exhibitors include: All Business Categories from Advertising, Arts and Entertainment to Energy, Finance, Manufacturing, and Technology. And, yes businesses looking to hire!

OCTOBER 1, 2018

FCBJ

CONTRIBUTING WRITER | Ronald B. Hegt

The Devil is in the Details: What Will Make or Break the QBI Deduction — Part 2

n Part 1 of this article, we discussed the definitions of which businesses qualified for the new 20 percent business deduction (Qualified Business Income or QBI) and which service businesses do not (Specified Service Trades or Businesses or SSTB). Part 2 will take a little deeper dive into what will make or break the deduction. The computation of the new deduction is simple enough on its face. Taxpayers who have income from a qualified business are entitled to deduct the lower of 20 percent of the income allocated to them or 50 percent of their share of wages paid to all employees of the business. For businesses that are capital intensive with low payroll (think real estate) an alternative to the 50 percent test can be used, where that limit is replaced with a limitation based on a combination of 25 percent of wages plus 2.5 percent of the original cost of most property used in the trade or business. For taxpayers with multiple business interests, each business stands on its own for purposes of the limitation computations and the resulting separate computations are combined in determining the deduction. Losses from one business will reduce the overall benefit from profitable businesses. For a married couple filing a joint return, the 50% percent wage test (as well as the alternative test) is not applicable for any year in which their taxable income is $315,000 or less. In addition, at that income level, the 20 percent deduction is available to all flow-through businesses, regardless of whether or not they are an SSTB. This special set of rules phases out over the next $100,000 of income and is completely phased out when taxable income reaches $415,000. For all other taxpayers, the income limits are $157,500 and $207,500, respectively.

Wages for these purposes are defined as wages paid and reported by the employer on W-2s to employees of the trade or business. It also includes wages paid to employees by a professional employer organization or another organization that is paying the payroll to a business’ common law employees. In short, wages count for the entity that is the common law employer. Wages do not include guaranteed payments made to partners, nor payments to a sole proprietor from their business. Of note is the compliance rule that says wages will not count unless W-2s are actually prepared and filed annually. These rules put many S corporations at an advantage over the same business that is operated through a partnership, since wages paid to the owner of an S corporation will qualify for the 50 percent test. For example, assuming the phase-in rules do not apply, if an S corporation shows a $100,000 profit and has only paid $45,000 of wages, all of which were paid to the owners, the deduction will be the lower of 20 percent of $100,000 ($20,000) or 50 percent of $45,000 ($22,500), resulting in a reduction of taxable income of $20,000. If the same business was operated as a partnership and $45,000 of guaranteed payments were paid to the partners, the guaranteed payments would not count as wages and therefore there would be no deduction available. Without regulatory relief, a taxpayer with multiple businesses, where one has large payroll and the other has a large profit, would be at a disadvantage since the wage base of one could not be used in the testing for the other. The regulations provide an optional way for taxpayers to elect to aggregate qualifying businesses into one, for purposes of computing the deduc-

tion. Eligible businesses include those that are 50 percent or more owned by the same person or group of persons, and satisfy two of the following tests: provide services or products that are the same or customarily offered together, share facilities or share significant centralized business elements, or operate in coordination with or in reliance on each other. Once the 50 percent ownership test is met, any owner may elect to aggregate business interests on their return. For example, if A owns 50 percent of partnerships X, Y and Z and B owns 10 percent of X and Y, B can elect to aggregate his interests in X and Y since someone in the group owns at least 50 percent of them. Once the aggregation election is made, both the 20 percent and 50 percent tests are computed at the combined level and must be handled that way going forward. The test of whether a trade or business is a QBI or an SSTB is not an all-or-nothing test. If a trade or business has less than $25 million in gross receipts for the year, it will not be treated as an SSTB if less than 10 percent of the business receipts are attributable to the performance of services in one of the disqualified fields listed earlier. If gross receipts exceed $25 million, the test is reduced to 5 percent. This de minimus rule presents an opportunity for certain businesses wherein the services provided are a mixture of both disqualified and qualified services. Take, for example, a company with $20 million of annual revenue that derives $18.5 million from the sale of manufacturing equipment and $1.5 million from consulting, installation and training services. Since the company derives less than 10 percent of its income from consulting services, these services will not be counted as an SSTB.

FINAL PLANNING THOUGHTS

Early on, many practitioners thought that an SSTB (such as a law firm or accounting firm) could form a related entity and transfer all of the non-SSTB back office operations (billing, payroll, human resources,

maintenance, etc.) to it. By segregating these services into a new entity and providing them at a profit, the thought was that some of the otherwise nonqualifying profits could be shifted to a QBI entity to create an eligible deduction. The regulations prohibit that, in

whole or in part, for any two entities that are 50 percent or more owned by the same individuals. This model would still work to the extent the management company is providing services to noncontrolled businesses. Earlier we pointed out 19

» » DETAILS

Join the Movement. October

Westport

Walk to Defeat ALS Sherwood Island State Park

FCBJ

OCTOBER 1, 2018

Do you want to open your own business? Do you have a business you want to grow and expand? Take classes thisfall falltotogrow growyour your business. business. Take classes this Women-owned businesses are growing at an astounding 5x faster rate than male owned Women-owned businesses arethe growing at in anConnecticut astoundingalone, 2.5x faster rate than male owned businesses nationally. Over past year 125,000 women-owned businesses nationally. Over the past year in Connecticut alone, 125,000 women-owned businesses generated $16.5 billion in sales. businesses generated $16.5 billion in sales. It is more critical than ever that women entrepreneurs, a bright spot in Connecticut’s It is economy, more critical ever resources that women entrepreneurs, bright spot in Connecticut’s havethan the right to start and operateabusinesses. economy, have the right resources to start and operate businesses. For twenty years the Women’s Business Development Council has been leading the way for this effort in Connecticut by providing women with entrepreneurial training, financial education and access to capital. Sign-up today to be a part of our community To learn more and take classes with the Women’s Business Development Council of women-owned businesses in Connecticut. please visit: www.ctwbdc.org

To learn more and take classes with the Women’s Business Development Council please visit www.ctwbdc.org.

10x11.5_WBDC_Westfair_Ad.indd 1

OCTOBER 1, 2018

FCBJ

9/14/18 6:13 PM

CONTRIBUTING WRITER | Norman G. Grill

Beware the new tax code’s fringe beneﬁts’ limitations

his year, many businesses will begin enjoying substantial tax relief under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). For 2018 and beyond, the top corporate tax rate has been slashed from 35 percent to 21 percent. And qualifying pass-through entities (partnerships, S corporations, LLCs and sole proprietorships) are entitled to deduct up to 20 percent of their business income. At the same time, however, the law offsets some of these tax savings with new deduction limits for certain fringe benefits, including employer-provided meals, entertainment and transportation. To fully understand the TCJA’s impact on your business, it’s critical to evaluate the deductibility of these benefits.

MEALS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Prior to the TCJA, taxpayers were generally permitted to deduct 50 percent of business-related meal and entertainment expenses. The act retains the 50 percent deduction for business meals (including employee meals while traveling), but it eliminates most deductions for 1) activities considered entertainment, amusement or recreation, 2) membership dues for clubs organized for business, pleasure, recreation or other social purposes, or 3) facilities (or portions thereof) used regarding the above — though exceptions exist. (See sidebar “Meals and entertainment: What’s still deductible?”) In some cases, the line between deductible meals and nondeductible entertainment may be blurred. For example, is the separate cost of a meal at a sporting event deductible if substantial business is discussed? Further guidance may be necessary to answer that question. The TCJA also limits (and eventually eliminates) deductions for

employer-provided meals that previously were fully deductible as “de minimis” or “for the convenience of the employer” fringe benefits. These include meals provided so employees can work overtime, meals furnished on or near the employer’s premises and certain expenses associated with operating on-premises eating facilities. The act reduces these deductions to 50 percent through 2025 and then eliminates them altogether. It doesn’t affect the exclusion of these benefits from employees’ income, however.

TRANSPORTATION BENEFITS

Prior to the TCJA, employers were permitted to deduct the expense of qualified transportation fringe benefits (QTFBs) and employees could exclude these benefits from their wages, up to a monthly cap. QTFBs include qualified van pools, qualified parking at or near the workplace, transit passes, and qualified bicycle commuting reimbursements. Employers could also arrange for employees to purchase QTFBs with pretax dollars through salary reductions. The TCJA disallows employer deductions for expenses, payments or reimbursements for 1) QTFBs and 2) employee travel between home and work, except as necessary to ensure employee safety. According to a recently revised IRS publication, deductions are disallowed whether benefits are paid directly, through a bona fide reimbursement arrangement or through a compensation reduction agreement. Employees may continue to exclude QTFBs (other than bicycle reimbursements) from their wages (up to $260 per month in 2018). The $20-per-month exclusion for qualified bicycle commuting reimbursements is suspended from

MEALS AND ENTERTAINMENT: WHAT’S STILL DEDUCTIBLE?

Norm G. Grill

2018 through 2025. During that time, employers may deduct those reimbursements. Beginning January 1, 2026, bicycle reimbursements will be nondeductible by employers and excludable from employees’ wages.

NEXT STEPS

All businesses should review their benefits programs and expense reimbursement policies with respect to these changes. Even if deductions have been reduced or eliminated, it may be possible to obtain a 100 percent deduction for meal or entertainment benefits by including them in employees’ wages. You might even consider raising employees’ compensation to cover their tax increases. In addition to those discussed above, the TCJA also limits tax benefits for employee achievement awards, moving expenses and on-site gyms. Most businesses will likely continue to provide fringe benefits, regardless of deductibility, as an employee retention tool or, in the case of certain transportation benefits, because they’re required by local law. Nevertheless, it’s important to understand how the TCJA affects the tax costs associated with employee benefits and to modify your payroll and other systems to ensure that fringe benefit expenses are reported properly for tax purposes.

Norm Grill (N.Grill@ GRILL1.com) is managing partner of Grill & Partners, LLC (GRILL1.com), certi�ied public accountants and consultants to closely held companies and highnet-worth individuals, with of�ices in Fair�ield and Darien, 254-3880.

Although the TCJA limits deductions for many meal and entertainment expenses, several types of expenses remain fully or partially deductible: · Business meals and meals while traveling on business are 50 percent deductible. · Meals and entertainment treated as employee compensation or included in a nonemployee’s income are 100 percent deductible. · Expenses for recreational or social activities—such as holiday parties, picnics or other outings—are 100 percent deductible, provided they’re primarily for the benefit of employees other than officers, certain owners and highly compensated employees. · Meals and entertainment provided at employee or stockholder business meetings are deductible. The 50 percent limit applies to meals, but it appears that entertainment expenses are 100 percent deductible. · Expenses related to attendance at chamber of commerce or other business league meetings (other than membership dues) appear to be 100 percent deductible. This has been a brief treatment of what can be a complex subject. Consider discussing tax matters with a qualified professional.

People Working Together Employees are an important asset for all businesses. Schedule a complementary consultation to find out how Grandview HR Consulting can proactively help your business. Together, we will focus on identifying your specific Human Resources needs and formulating a solid plan that will positively impact your employee practices and business going forward.

Susanne Gallagher, President Grandview Human Resources Consulting LLC www.grandviewhrc.com susanne@grandviewhrc.com (914) 523-5726

104 Grandview Avenue | White Plains, NY 10605

FCBJ

OCTOBER 1, 2018

{KEY { If Knowledge is

POWER Speed is the

NOW AVAILABLE DIGITALLY

Bankruptcie

t Cas r u o C , s t i m r e P s, B u il di n g ,

e s, D

udgm J , s e r u eclo s eeds, For

ents

s, Lis e s a e ,L

Pe n

rtga o M , de ns

FCBJ RECORDS... HOURS OF RESEARCH DOWNLOAD YOURS NOW Visit westfaironline.com or contact

Audience Development Department | (914) 694-3600 18

OCTOBER 1, 2018

FCBJ

ew N , g es

i ne s u B

nts e t a s, P

Bridgeport Hospital chief to join Pa. health system BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN kzimmerman@westfairinc.com

illiam Jennings is leaving his positions as president and CEO of Bridgeport Hospital and executive vice president of Yale New Haven Health to become president and CEO of Reading (Pennsylvania) Hospital, effective Oct. 15. Named as Bridgeport’s interim CEO is Michael Ivy, the hospital’s chief medical officer since 2012 and deputy CMO of Yale New Haven Health since 2016. Ryan O’Connell will serve as interim CMO beginning in October. He has been vice president of performance and risk management for the last six years. “I was not looking to leave Fairfield County, Bridgeport Hospital or Yale New Haven Health,” Jennings told the Business Journal. “But this is an opportunity to help grow Reading Hospital and Tower Health, which is a nascent system that didn’t even exist a couple of years ago.” Tower Health was formed in October 2017 following Reading’s acquisition of five other eastern Pennsylvania hospitals from Community Health Systems. The Tower Health system includes 11,000 employees and 2,000 doctors working across 65 locations. Reading Hospital recently observed its 150th anniversary. Tower Health President and CEO Clint Matthews said that Reading Hospital will remain the flagship of the system. “Bill will provide the executive oversight to enhance existing services and to continue our relentless pursuit of excellence in all we do.” “They have an aggressive growth strategy,” Jennings noted, emphasizing that his move was the result of “a pull from Tower Health, not a push from Bridgeport Hospital. This is a significant growth opportunity for me.” Talks with Tower Health began over the past winter, Jennings said, adding that a critical component of his new role will be to take Reading’s “standard of care, tradition and vision and spread it to the other hospitals that were acquired by Reading Hospital.” Jennings called his eight years at Bridgeport “absolutely tremendous” in terms of revenue growth — an increase of 66 percent, to $25.7 million, over the course of his tenure, he said — quality of service and patient safety; the hospital has seen an 80 percent reduction in safety events over the past four years. The outgoing Bridgeport executive said that the facility’s physicians’ engagement scores are in the 92nd percentile, “which is almost unheard of.” “The cultural transformation (at Bridgeport) is probably what I’m most proud of,” Jennings continued. “The physicians, nurses and technicians all report a high level of job satisfaction, and I feel that definitely affects patient care. The patients can feel it.” Though he said he was not consulted about appointing a successor, Jennings praised the choice of Ivy, announced by Yale New Haven Health CEO Marna Borgstrom and Newman Marsilius III, chair of the hospital board of trustees. “Michael Ivy is supremely well qualified,”

Jennings said. “He’s so well known by the staff and medical staff alike, and trusted by those people. There will be no interruption in the hospital’s service and performance — I can’t think of anybody better.” For his part, Ivy said, “The journey Bill Jennings has taken us on for the last eight years has been remarkable. He truly transformed this organization through his unwavering commitment to patient-centered care and clinical quality. I will do my utmost to carry on the great strides forward that Bill’s leadership inspired.”

Details—

that wages paid to an S corporation owner would be counted toward the 50 percent of wages test. Keep in mind that paying wages to an owner of an S corporation can be used to increase the value of the deduction, even though it serves to reduce QBI. As long as the 50 percent wage test limit is lower than the 20 percent of net income limit, paying wages will increase the available deduction. While these regulations are in the proposed stage, the Treasury department is holding public hearings in mid-October and plans to issue final rules before next filing season begins. While the intent of the provision was to

give a tax benefit to flow-through business owners, to provide a break similar to the corporate rate cut, the simple concept has become extremely complicated and will be years before all the issues are resolved. Ronald B. Hegt is a tax partner at Citrin Cooperman with more than 40 years of experience in accounting and taxation. His area of expertise is in serving as the entrepreneurial tax and business adviser to middle-market entrepreneurs, their businesses and their families. He can be reached at 914-949-2990 or at rhegt@citrincooperman.com. Citrin Cooperman is a full-service accounting and consulting �irm with 10 locations on the East Coast. More at citrincooperman.com.

Gregory & Howe will be conducting a significant

DOT COMPLIANCE SYMPOSIUM Highest Level of Cyber Security + Professional (Human) Management

DAT E : OCTOBER 23, 2018

KE Y N OT E S P E A KE R

TIME: 9:30AM - 4:30PM

Richard P. Schweitzer, PLLC Attorney Schweitzer is the Legislative Counsel to the National Private Truck Council (NPTC). He regularly testifies before Congress on transportation issues and was named to the Board of Directors of the Unified Carrier Registration plan. Attorney Schweitzer will address the most recent changes to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations and answer attendees questions. Gain some valuable insight into the development in Washington that will impact your company.

LO C AT I O N : 3 CORPORATE DRIVE, SHELTON, CT 06484

Christopher Henry - Division Administrator FMCSA Administrator Henry will discuss recent changes to the FMCSA regulations as well as the most common causes for fine violations and Safety Interventions. There will be a Q&A session following the presentation.

George F. Howe, MA. George will present the historical development of drug and alcohol testing as well as the most recent developments, specifically the testing for Opioid and the legalization of Marijuana and Medical Marijuana.

Department of Motor Vehicles Officer Dave D’Ancicco from the School Bus/Student Transportation Vehicle (STV) Driver Operations will address compliance with the Connecticut General Statutes as well as the FMCSA regulations where applicable.

When it comes to Compliance, Gregory & Howe has you covered.

COST

Gregory & Howe Clients: $45.00 Non Gregory & Howe Clients: $55.00 Company Name__________________________________________

__________________________________________________________ Number of attendees __________________________________

PLEASE REMIT TO Gregory and Howe, Inc. 2 Corporate Drive, Suite 645 Shelton, CT 06484 PLEASE INVOICE ME

W W W . G R E G O R Y A N D H O W E . C O M Phone: 203-929-5750 • Fax: 203-944-0127

FCBJ

OCTOBER 1, 2018

THE LIST: Food and Beverage Companies

FAIRFIELD COUNTY

Ranked by year company established. Listed alphabetically in the event of a tie. Company name Address Phone number • Website

Year company established

Top executive Title

1901

Luis Fernandez and Antonio L. Contreras, co-presidents of ASR Group

Sugar refinery

1050 Buckingham St., Watertown, Conn. 06795 800-525-0070 • crystalrock.com

1914

Peter Baker President and CEO

Distributor of water, coffee and office supplies

2 South St., Mount Vernon, N.Y. 10522 914-667-8795 • lasquisita.com

1918

Joseph and Robert DeBenedictis, owners

Food production and distribution

Product line includes item such as beans, condiments, oils pasta, peppers and olives

333 Lordship Blvd., Stratford 06615 203-377-1440 • charmer-sunbelt.com

1933

John Parke President

Alcoholic beverage distributor

A wine and spirits distributor for the state of Connecticut, handling more than 3,000 on-premise and 1,125 off-premise accounts

1933

Dominick A. Bertoline President and chairman of the board

Alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverage distributor

Family-owned wholesaler of beers, malt liquors and nonalcoholic beverages, serving more than 2,300 accounts in New York's Putnam and Westchester counties

201 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield, Conn. 06825 888-244-3569 • bigelowtea.com

1945

Cindi Bigelow President and CEO

Tea blender, producer and distributor

Private, family-owned tea blender, producer and distributor

360 Hamilton Ave., White Plains, N.Y. 10601 914-681-4100 • heinekenusa.com

1946

Maggie Timoney President and CEO

Beverage importer and distributor

Brands include Heineken, Amstel, Newcastle, Dus Equis, and others

1964

Robert Cicarelli and Michael Cicarelli, co-owners

Vending and food-service company

Family-owned vending and food-service company serving businesses, school systems, universities, camps, country clubs and public facilities in Connecticut and New York

700 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, N.Y. 10577 914-253-3055 • pepsico.com

1965

Raymon Laguarta* Chairman and CEO

Food and beverage company

Manufactures, markets and distributes grain-based snack foods, beverages and other products

55 Hunter Lane, Elmsford, N.Y. 10523 914-846-2300 • drpeppersnapplegroup.com

1972

Larry D. Young President and CEO

Fruit juices and carbonated beverages

Manufacturer, producer and distributor of flavored fruit juices and carbonated beverages

900 Long Ridge Road, Building 2, Stamford, Conn. 06902 203-531-4100 • nestle-watersna.com

1976

Fernando Mercé President and CEO

Bottled water distributor

80 International Blvd., Brewster, N.Y. 10509 914-347-3131 • 845-940-1501 • aceendico.com

1982

William A. Endico, CEO Murray Hertzberg, president

Fine foods purveyor and distributor

5723 Route 22, Millerton, N.Y. 12546 888-427-6398 • harney.com

1983

Michael Harney President

Tea manufacturer, producer and distributor

Producer, manufacturer and distributor of tea products and tea accessories, treats and gifts

777 Westchester Ave., White Plains, N.Y. 10604

1986

Tomer Harpaz, CEO

Food producer and distributor

Products include hummus, guacamole, Greek yogurt dips, salsas and others

1994

Ruth L. Tedder President

Food ingredients supplier

Supplier of nutritional food items, including dried fruits and fruit formulates, fibers, food grade colors, hydrocollides/gums, inulin and sweeteners and other functional ingredients

1997

Deirdre Mahlan President, Diageo North America

Alcohol producer and distributor

International alcoholic beverage producer and distributor of spirits, beer and wine

Alcohol beverage representative and distributor

Alcohol consortium represents 6 breweries. Brands include O'Hara Irish Craft Beers, Paulaner, HackerPschorr, Fuller's Ales, Fruli, Furstenberg

ASR Group|Domino Sugar

Crystal Rock

La Squisita Food Corp.

Connecticut Distributors Inc.

1 Federal St., Yonkers, N.Y. 10705 914-963-2400 • dominosugar.com • asr-group.com

D. Bertoline & Sons Inc.

7 John Walsh Blvd., Peekskill, N.Y. 10566 914-737-0266 • dbertolineandsons.com

Bigelow

Heineken USA

Berkshire Food Inc.

PepsiCo

Snapple Distributors Inc.

11 Old Newtown Road, Danbury, Conn. 06810 203-792-3435 • bfoods.com

Nestlé Waters North America

Ace Endico Corp.

Harney & Sons Tea Corp.

Sabra Dipping Co. LLC 914-932-9000 • sabra.com

Pocantico Resources

Diageo North America

Type of business

55 Broadway, Tarrytown, N.Y. 10591 914-631-3545 • pocanticoresources.com 801 Main Ave., Norwalk, Conn. 06851 203-229-2100 • diageo.com

Paulaner USA LLC

2 Westchester Park Drive, Suite 201, White Plains, N.Y. 10604

2009

Steve Hauser President and CEO

914-908-6500 • paulanerphusa.com

Yonkers Brewing Co.

Charter Oak Brewing Co. LLC

Kraft Foods International Inc.

Danone North America

Description

Refining and packaging of granulated sugar and sweeteners, including confectioner's sugar and brown sugar and all-natural sweeteners; three refineries produce 2.2 million metric tons of sugar annually Home and office manufacturer and distributor of water, coffee, office supplies and other home and office refreshment products

Manufacturer, producer and distributor of water brands, including spring waters, purified, sparking and mineral waters Distributor of dairy, produce, meats, seafood, fine imported specialty products, paper and canned goods, serving New York's Westchester and Putnam counties

92 Main St., Yonkers, N.Y. 10701 914-226-8327 • yonkersbrewing.com

2010

John Rubbo, Nick Califano Founders

Alcohol producer and distributor

Local craft brewery delivering bottled and draft beer options to locations throughout New York City, Westchester and the Hudson Valley

39B Shelter Rock Road, Danbury 06810 203-616-5268 • charteroakbrewing.com

2011

P. Scott Vallely President

Craft beer brewery

Local craft brewery operation marketing premium, fresh beer in bottles and draft options

800 Westchester Ave., Rye Brook, N.Y. 10573 914-335-2500 • mendelezinternational.com

2012

John Cahill Executive chairman

Food manufacturer and distributor

Manufactures and markets snacks, beverages, cheeses and other packaged grocery products

2017

Emmanuel Faber Chairman and CEO

Food manufacturer and distributor

Brands include Activia, Dannon, Horizon, Oikos, Silk, Land O'Lakes and more.

1 Maple Ave., White Plains, N.Y. 10605

This list is a sampling of food and beverage companies with locations in the region. If you would like to include your company on our next list, please contact Peter Katz at pkatz@westfairinc.com. * Laguarta was due to replace Indra Nooyi effective Oct. 3, 2018.

OCTOBER 1, 2018

FCBJ

SPECIAL REPORT | Banking and Finance

Connecticut’s credit unions soldier on despite challenges BY PHIL HALL phall@westfairinc.com

here is good news and bad news in regard to Connecticut’s credit union market. First, the good news: Jill Nowacki, president and CEO of the Credit Union League of Connecticut, a trade association headquartered in Meriden, said membership in these nonprofit financial institutions is strengthening after a period of unsteadiness. “We’re growing,” Nowacki said. “We’ve moved over the last five years from a declining membership rate to a growing membership. We are now at around 900,000. Nationwide, one out of three people are members of a credit union. Here in Connecticut, it’s closer to one out of four.” Connecticut’s credit unions total just over $10 billion in assets, although the median asset size for these institutions is $20 million. While most offer an array of products and services, Nowacki pointed out that auto loans have been “the go-to product” for these institutions and many have focused on helping with vehicle financing for low-income borrowers. “In Connecticut, we don’t have the same source of public transportation as you could find in New York City or Boston, yet we have a large population who do not have access to affordable transportation and need to access jobs that are not necessarily on the bus line,” she said. “A big area of focus is used-car loans that are being made at reasonable rates for cars that won’t break down.” The bad news, however, involves the quantity of credit unions. According to Nowacki, the number of credit unions in the state has declined from 125 in 2013 to 95 today, with consolidation rather than closure soaking up the

Jill Nowacki, president and CEO of the Credit Union League of Connecticut. Photo by Phil Hall.

The Credit Union League of Connecticut, a statewide nonprofit trade association, is working with its member institutions on other hightech strategies to protect consumer data.

disappeared entities. She blamed much of the shrinkage on the federal regulatory regimen put into place on all financial institutions with the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010. Although the legislation was designed to address the conditions that led to the Great Recession, Nowacki argued that it created a one-size-fits-all regulatory blanket that covered both the Wall Street behemoths and the community-level credit union, with the latter struggling to keep up with onerous compliance requirements. “Those requirements are a lot of the reason why we are seeing the merger activity that we’re seeing,” she continued. “The industry started consolidating at a faster rate since 2008 and a lot of that can be attributed to the additional burden that was never intended for credit unions or smaller financial institutions,

but were trickled down because there was no way of separating that. A credit union with tight parameters and closed field for membership is not needing to be subject to the same regulations as JPMorgan. It is definitely a burden that has caused credit unions to have difficulty in serving their members as well as they would like to.” And the notion of starting new credit unions is not an easy strategy. Credit unions are limited in their membership based on place of residence or occupation. For example, some churches in the state have small credit unions for their parishioners. Unlike banks that can raise capital from a variety of sources, Nowacki said, a startup credit union can only be created with member money and then financed going forward through

its earnings. As a result, she said, there are relatively few de novo credit unions today — two of the most recent, the New York Police Department’s Finest Federal Credit Union and the Seneca Nation of Indians Federal Credit Union in Irving, New York, were chartered in 2015. “They are very specific niche-focused and serve groups that somehow have the capital in their membership from the beginning,” she said. Despite the challenges faced by Connecticut’s credit unions, they still have work that needs to be done. Nowacki stated that cybersecurity is a major concern and her trade group is working with the credit unions to keep the hackers out. “We have a cybersecurity network where we are bringing together the executives from credit unions to

FCBJ

work with the cybersecurity field on putting together best practices,” she said. “We’ve hosted and co-hosted events with law enforcement officials who work in cybersecurity to make sure that credit unions are getting education on what we’re seeing in the up-and-coming trends, not just with cybersecurity but also other crimes like ATM skimming.” The Credit Union League of Connecticut, a statewide nonprofit trade association, is working with its member institutions on other high-tech strategies to protect consumer data. “For example, we are studying how distributed ledger and blockchain may help members’ identities be better protected into the future,” Nowacki said. Also on the trade group’s calendar is the return of its’ two-year education program to help credit union executives master all aspects of managing their operations. Nowacki is also keeping an eye on the state and federal elections in order to better coordinate the next wave of 2019 outreach to legislators. “On a broad level, it’s our mission to make sure that credit unions are positioned so consumers can choose them as their financial choice,” she said. “We are ensuring the environment is well positioned for credit unions to preserve — in Hartford with the state’s Department of Banking and in Washington with the National Credit Union Administration and the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. We work on the advocacy side to keep credit union executives aware of what kind of changes and trends are happening in financial services, and we all work together collaboratively to better serve consumers.”

OCTOBER 1, 2018

SPECIAL REPORT | CONTRIBUTING WRITER | William Tommins

Four tactics to help attract and retain manufacturing talent

ttracting and retaining top talent for the manufacturing industry is more challenging than ever. Employment is up, U.S. unemployment is at a 10-year low (falling to 4.4 percent this year) and baby boomers are reaching retirement age and exiting the workforce. The global supply of high-skill workers is not keeping up with demand, and, according to the McKinsey Global Institute , there may be a potential shortage of more than 40 million high-skill workers by 2020. HR departments have shifted focus from salaried employees to filling hourly positions, which increasingly require problem-solving skills and technical expertise. Unfortunately, the manufacturing industry is suffering from a perception problem; eligible recruits fear layoffs, associate the industry with a “lower status stigma” and foresee superior career growth in other occupations. To mitigate these issues, companies must be creative in their appeals to the next

generation of manufacturing professionals. Here are some methods to help improve recruiting and retention.

DIFFERENTIATE

During recruitment, reinforce the fact that manufacturing jobs often pay better than other unskilled or semi-skilled labor positions. According to IndustryWeek, fastfood workers stand to make $10 to $15 an hour, while a new manufacturing employee could make $15 to $25 an hour. Even if the position isn’t something workers want long term, a role at the entry level will expose them to other areas of the business. If he or she commits to further training within the company, the individual has a chance to make even more. Make sure to express the potential growth opportunities in the interview process and reinforce the value of the hourly employee. Another area for differentiation is workplace culture. Articulate the improved safety

standards, collaborative environment and use of state-of-the-art technology in job descriptions. Also, reinforce that your company will provide ongoing education, including access to more in-depth training.

PARTNER WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS

Some companies are beginning to conduct focused outreach at local high schools, community colleges and technical schools. By working with in-school counselors, manufacturers can identify students with the skill set and desire to learn more about technical pursuits. Presenting at job fairs or “career days” can also help dispel myths regarding the nature of the work and build rapport with a younger audience. Another route is to offer sponsorships, internships and/or apprenticeships. Programs such as these provide a hands-on experience without the full commitment of employment. Candidates will have a better idea of on-the-job responsibilities and

employers can vet aptitude accordingly.

RE-EVALUATE BENEFITS

By 2020, millennials are expected to compose 50 percent of the global workforce, so they will have significant influence in the work experience. According to Ernst & Young, millennials are the generation most likely to change jobs, give up promotions or take a pay cut to have flexibility in their work. In order to attract this talent, manufacturers should reconsider paid-leave and scheduling policy. For example, Globe Manufacturing of Pittsfield, New Hampshire allows its firstshift employees to choose from start times between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. Although around 80 percent still choose to begin the day at 6 a.m., they report satisfaction with the freedom of choice. Other companies are offering shift-switching options; if you have to attend your child’s piano recital, for example, you have the option to swap shifts with another employee. Lastly, consider implementing flexible vacation. Rather than offering the entire company the same weeks off, allow employees to choose their leave.

UPDATE SOURCING TECHNOLOGY

Consider pairing with a partner firm that can provide modernized recruitment technology and expertise for your company. For example, many workers in the U.S. speak English as a second language. Some recruitment technologies offer multilingual career sites to ensure all information about the company and its jobs is understood correctly. A good partner will also help you consolidate your records and process; moving application materials to an online portal will help you keep track of strong candidates, easily search for records and even open new doors to improve the company’s profit by facilitating the collection of data supporting work opportunity tax credits (WOTC). Lastly, a technology partner will help you craft a social media strategy. More than 3 billion people around the world use social media each month, with nine in 10 of the users accessing preferred platforms via mobile devices . Work with experts to create mobile-friendly messaging as well as target your audience on social media in a low-cost manner. Recruiting the next generation of manufacturing workers won’t be an easy feat. But with a renewed approach to HR and talent management, the industry can find its future leaders. William Tommins is the market executive for Global Commercial Banking in the Southern New England/Westchester Region of Bank of America and serves as market president in southern Connecticut. He has 30 years of experience in the banking industry, and since 1988, held positions of increasing responsibility in Bank of America’s predecessor’s commercial banking units in Connecticut and Westchester County. He can be reached at William.r.tommins@baml.com.

OCTOBER 1, 2018

FCBJ

Facts & Figures ATTACHMENTS-FILED Kiley Jr., Gerard, et al., Stamford. Filed by John Kegan, Stamford. $92,000 in favor of Ring’s End Inc., Darien. Property: Lot 8, Map 4568, Stamford. Filed Aug. 22.

BUILDING PERMITS COMMERCIAL Burns, Ed, Bridgeport, contractor for self. Add a trailer to an existing single-family residence at 482 Housatonic Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $6,000. Filed Aug. 22.

John C. Landsiedel Construction Company Inc., contractor for Irving S. Goldblum. Convert an office space into a bakery in an existing commercial space at 390 Fairfield Ave., Stamford. Estimated cost: $7,633. Filed between Sept. 4 and Sept. 14. McPhee Electric LLC, contractor for Division 40 Richards LLC. Add new antennas onto the roof of an existing commercial space at 40 Richards Ave., Norwalk. Estimated cost: $9,810. Filed Aug. 27. Minos Painting & Cleaning Service, Bridgeport, contractor for Natale Silva. Perform an interior fit-out in an existing commercial space for a new tenant at 1628 Capital Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $4,000. Filed Aug. 28.

Deluca Construction Co., Stamford, contractor for Stamford Hospital. Renovate the security office in an existing commercial space at 1 Hospital Plaza, Stamford. Estimated cost: $2,270. Filed between Sept. 4 and Sept. 14.

Pustola & Associates, contractor for I Park Norwalk II LLC. Perform an interior fit-out in an existing commercial space for a new tenant at 761 Main Ave., Norwalk. Estimated cost: $15,400. Filed Aug. 27.

Excelsior Marshall LLC, Norwalk, contractor for self. Perform an interior fit-out in an existing commercial space for a new tenant at 10 Marshall St., Norwalk. Estimated cost: $40,000. Filed Sept. 13.

Samtay Inc., contractor for Janina Miller. Repair interior water damage to an existing commercial space at 116 Dean St., Stamford. Estimated cost: $35,000. Filed between Sept. 4 and Sept. 14.

Forstone Management Associates LLC, contractor for Forstone 750 LLC. Perform an interior fit-out in an existing commercial space for a new tenant at 750 E. Main St., Stamford. Estimated cost: $4,767. Filed between Sept. 4 and Sept. 14.

Signature Construction Group of Connecticut Inc., contractor for 300 Atlantic Street Owner LLC. Perform interior renovations in an existing commercial space at 300 Atlantic St., Stamford. Estimated cost: $8,800. Filed between Sept. 4 and Sept. 14.

Gesualdi Construction Inc., Stamford, contractor for Collins Myano Sub LLC. Reduce the interior of an existing commercial space to its core at 30 Myano Lane, Stamford. Estimated cost: $50,000. Filed between Sept. 4 and Sept. 14.

Town of Stamford, contractor for self. Install walls in an existing commercial space at 53 Strawberry Hill Lane, Stamford. Estimated cost: $5,000. Filed between Sept. 4 and Sept. 14. Westport Avenue Partners LLC, Norwalk, contractor for self. Perform an interior fit-out in an existing commercial space for a new tenant at 596 Westport Ave., Norwalk. Estimated cost: $1,000. Filed Aug. 28.

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. Questions and comments regarding this section should be directed to: Larry Miles c/o Westfair Communications Inc. 3 Westchester Park Drive, Suite G7 White Plains, N.Y. 10604-3407 Phone: 694-3600 • Fax: 694-3699

RESIDENTIAL A.W. Construction LLC, contractor for David J. Dusel. Add a three-seasons room to the foundation of an existing single-family residence at 5 Leatherwood Road, Norwalk. Estimated cost: $25,000. Filed Sept. 12. Best Connecticut Roofing, Meriden, contractor for Ray Anderson. Strip and reroof an existing single-family residence at 629-633 Colorado Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $12,000. Filed Aug. 27.

ON THE RECORD

Build Right Home Solutions, Cheshire, contractor for Iris Cuevas. Strip and reroof an existing single-family residence at 302 Palmetto Road, Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $7,000. Filed Aug. 27. Canessa Home Improvement Services LLC, Norwalk, contractor for Joseph L. Macri. Renovate the bathroom, basement, laundry room and siding in an existing single-family residence at 6 Brookside Court, Norwalk. Estimated cost: $80,000. Filed Sept. 11. Constantine Brothers Construction LLC, contractor for Thomas Marina. Strip and reroof an existing single-family residence at 6 Fullmar Lane, Norwalk. Estimated cost: $10,000. Filed Sept. 12. Connecticut Remodelers, Naugatuck, contractor for David Dixon. Strip and reroof an existing single-family residence at 170 Travis Drive, Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $7,881. Filed Aug. 27. DiIorio, Marisa and Joseph DiIorio, Fairfield, contractor for self. Finish a basement in an existing single-family residence with a playroom and full bathroom at 2433 Congress St., Fairfield. Estimated cost: $13,000. Filed Sept. 7.

Lower Rocks Road Associates, Norwalk, contractor for self. Pour the foundation for a new two-family two-story residence with a two-car garage and no decks at 10 Lower Rocks Lane, Norwalk. Estimated cost: $15,000. Filed Sept. 12.

Uva, Maria B. and Richard L. Uva, Danbury, contractor for self. Legalize an open deck on the property of an existing single-family residence at 8 Three Partners Road, Danbury. Estimated cost: $12,000. Filed Aug. 16.

Millstream Construction LLC, contractor for Regina V. Kuzmanich. Strip and reroof an existing single-family residence at 49 George Ave., Norwalk. Estimated cost: $4,000. Filed Aug. 27.

Vasilik, Vitaliy, contractor for Misra Mayank. Add to and alter an existing single-family residence at 31 Hazel St., Darien. Estimated cost: $450,000. Filed Aug. 17.

Montanaro, Michael, Trumbull, contractor for John Gibson and Nina Gibson. Add two dormer sheds to an existing single-family residence at 38 Woodland Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $63,650. Filed Aug. 28. Packman, Glenn A. and William M. Biggs, Norwalk, contractor for self. Install a free-standing fireplace at an existing single-family residence at 25 Hawthorne Drive, Norwalk. Estimated cost: $5,000. Filed Sept. 12. Porges, Stevens, Norwalk, contractor for self. Renovate the bathroom, wine cellar, laundry room and playroom in an existing single-family residence at 8 Parkview Road, Norwalk. Estimated cost: $62,925. Filed Aug. 27.

DiLorenzo Builders LLC, contractor for Carol Sue Yoder. Relocate the kitchen, master bathroom and bathroom in an existing single-family residence at 4 Skyview Lane, Norwalk. Estimated cost: $125,000. Filed Sept. 10.

Portcullis Partners LLC, contractor for Lindsey Harrison. Renovate the kitchen in an existing single-family residence at 5 Pond Ridge Road, Norwalk. Estimated cost: $110,000. Filed Sept. 13.

Eastman Bel Environmental LLC, contractor for Urbangreen Construction. Demolish an existing single-family residence at 232 Harvester Road, Fairfield. Estimated cost: $10,000. Filed Sept. 6.

Residential Resq LLC, contractor for Loretta Goeller Deming. Repair the car garage and foundation at an existing single-family residence at 8 Old Field Road, Norwalk. Estimated cost: $20,400. Filed Aug. 27.

Hriscu, Lionel D., contractor for First Class Properties LLC. Renovate the kitchen, bathroom, garage and basement in an existing single-family residence at 27 Ponus Ave., Norwalk. Estimated cost: $102,000. Filed Aug. 27.

Riga LLC, contractor for Nicholas Simon and Karen G. Simon. Strip and reroof an existing single-family residence at 179 W. Norwalk Road, Norwalk. Estimated cost: $8,345. Filed Sept. 13.

Huntington Rental Center, Shelton, contractor for St. Nicholas Antichian Orthodox Church. Add temporary tents to the property of an existing single-family residence at 5456 Park Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $1,200. Filed Aug. 27. John Roofing LLC, Bridgeport, contractor for Alejandro Merino. Strip and reroof an existing single-family residence at 480-482 Garfield Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $5,300. Filed Aug. 27.

Sears Home Improvement Products Inc., Rocky Hill, contractor for Carol Hayes. Install vinyl siding on an existing single-family residence at 19 Westmere Ave., Norwalk. Estimated cost: $19,887. Filed Aug. 29.

Vasyl, Ivonick, Danbury, contractor for self. Strip and reroof an existing single-family residence at 234-236 Salem St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $15,000. Filed Aug. 24. Vivint Solar Developer LLC, contractor for Leon A. Wilson. Add solar panels to the roof of an existing single-family residence at 19 Mills St., Norwalk. Estimated cost: $11,594. Filed Sept. 11. Wood, Jason, Seymour, contractor for Connecticut Realty Trust. Renovate the basement drainage system in an existing single-family residence at 120-148 Morgan Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $20,000. Filed Aug. 24.

COURT CASES The following court cases represent the allegations made by plaintiffs in the initial filings of civil lawsuits, and do not represent legally binding judgments made by the courts.

Bridgeport Superior Court 245-247 Madison Avenue LLC, Southbury. Filed by Efram Alvino, Bridgeport. Plaintiff’s attorney: Law Office of John Harrington LLC. Action: The plaintiff has brought this personal injury suit against the defendant alleging that his hand was hit by a falling window on property owned by the defendant and sustained injury. This dangerous condition was allegedly allowed to exist due to the negligence of the defendant and its employees in that they failed to properly supervise their common areas. The plaintiff claims monetary damages within the jurisdiction of the court. Case no. FBTCV18-6078583-S. Filed Sept. 10.

Sears Home Improvement Products Inc., Rocky Hill, contractor for Sharada Muthusubramanian. Remodel the master bathroom in an existing single-family residence at 25 Linden Heights, Unit 25, Norwalk. Estimated cost: $19,570. Filed Aug. 29.

FCBJ

2652 Fairfield Avenue LLC, Fairfield. Filed by the Water Pollution Control Authority, Bridgeport. Plaintiff’s attorney: Russell D. Liskov, Bridgeport. Action: The plaintiff has brought this breach of contract suit against the defendant alleging that it had failed to make timely payments to the plaintiff for a sewer-use bill. The plaintiff has declared the entire outstanding principal balance of $568 due and has made a demand for the balance, yet has not received payment. The plaintiff claims money damages and court costs. Case no. FBT-CV186078633-S. Filed Sept. 11. 30 Suggetts Lane LLC, Norwalk. Filed by the Water Pollution Control Authority, Bridgeport. Plaintiff’s attorney: Russell D. Liskov, Bridgeport. Action: The plaintiff has brought this breach of contract suit against the defendant alleging that it had failed to make timely payments to the plaintiff for a sewer-use bill. The plaintiff has declared the entire outstanding principal balance of $689 due and has made a demand for the balance, yet has not received payment. The plaintiff claims money damages and court costs. Case no. FBT-CV18-6078634-S. Filed Sept. 11. Academy Express LLC, et al., Hartford. Filed by Alexandra Galbaud, Bridgeport. Plaintiff’s attorney: Bruce J. Corrigan, Westport. Action: The plaintiff has brought this personal injury suit against the defendants alleging that she was hit by a car owned by the defendants and driven by an employee of the defendants during the course of their work. The defendants were allegedly negligent in that they operated their motor vehicle at an unreasonable rate of speed. The plaintiff claims monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interests and costs and such other relief as the court deems just and proper. Case no. FBT-CV18-6078707-S. Filed Sept. 12. Allstate Transportation Group LLC, Stamford. Filed by the Water Pollution Control Authority, Bridgeport. Plaintiff’s attorney: Russell D. Liskov, Bridgeport. Action: The plaintiff has brought this breach of contract suit against the defendant alleging that it had failed to make timely payments to the plaintiff for a sewer-use bill. The plaintiff has declared the entire outstanding principal balance of $665 due and has made a demand for the balance, yet has not received payment. The plaintiff claims money damages and court costs. Case no. FBT-CV186078636-S. Filed Sept. 11.

OCTOBER 1, 2018

Good Things Happening HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS POOL FUNDS FOR AWARD

Shawn Patch

Vincent Camarota Jr.

STAMFORD FAMILY YMCA NAMES NEW CEO

USB ADDS FINANCIAL ADVISER TO MONROE BRANCH

The Stamford Family YMCA has named Shawn Patch as its new CEO, effective Oct. 22. Patch will be responsible for taking the lead on the Y’s fundraising initiatives, staff development, increasing membership and will work to continue to develop youth and family programming. “During our search for a new CEO, we looked at candidates from throughout the country, but Shawn stood out among the rest. His energy and vision for the Stamford Family YMCA is exactly what we were looking for in a leader,” said Paul Macari, search committee chair of Stamford Family YMCA’s Board of Directors. “Shawn’s experience displays his ability to effectively manage staff, achieve and exceed fundraising goals and accomplish branch development and program expansion….” “I am thrilled to join the Stamford Family YMCA and the Stamford Community,” said Patch. “Coming back to the Northeast not only gives me the opportunity to be close to family and friends but I’m now able to apply my passion and nearly 30 years of experience to the Stamford community. I knew this was the place that I needed to be the minute I met the staff, volunteers and board members. They showed just incredible passion for all the members and they live the mission of the YMCA every day. I’m excited to be part of such a great team. Stamford, great things are coming to your YMCA, see ya soon.” Patch comes to the Y with 28 years of experience in the nonprofit world and 20 years of experience in a CEO role. He is currently employed with the YMCA of the Upper Pee Dee/ Sumter Family YMCA, where he has served as CEO for the past eight years. Previously he worked for the North Central Florida YMCA, and the YMCA of Greater Miami. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Slippery Rock University.

OCTOBER 1, 2018

Generation Impact, a newly formed program for girls in grades 9 to 12 throughout Fairfield County, is kicking off the school year with 40 members from schools in Greenwich, Stamford, Darien and Westport. The group hopes to recruit at least 60 more girls. Its goal is to reach 100 members who will donate $100 each to fund a $10,000 youth-focused grant to a deserving nonprofit organization in the community. Though the girls will work toward awarding a grant, Generation Impact’s mission is three-fold: introduce the next generation to the needs in the community, foster the spirit of philanthropy and empower girls to work together to make an impact in Fairfield County.

According to Isabel Allard, Greenwich Academy student and founder of Generation Impact: “Part of what we’re trying to do is not only give a grant, but teach girls how to give thoughtfully by reviewing grant applications and making the really heart-wrenching decision of you can only give one grant, so who do you give it to when you’re presented with so many amazing charities that are all doing such good things in our community?” The program was inspired by Impact Fairfield County, a collective-giving circle, which engages women in philanthropy on a deeper level — where they learn about the many needs across their community and the nonprofit organizations working

to meet those needs. Members then determine what initiatives to fund with transformational Impact Grants each year. Beyond girl membership, Generation Impact also hopes to explore potential donations and underwriting opportunities from local women professionals and women-owned businesses in Fairfield County. To make the program happen, Generation Impact needs local youth-serving nonprofit organizations throughout Fairfield County to apply for its first-ever grant. The grant application process will begin Oct. 16, when the application becomes available online at Generation Impact’s website. Applications can be submitted through Nov. 13.

HALLORAN SAGE VOLUNTEERS WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

A team from Halloran Sage recently helped in the construction of a Habitat for Humanity home in the Coastal Fairfield County area. Attorneys and staff from the Westport

FCBJ

Vincent Camarota Jr. a financial adviser, has joined the Danbury-headquartered Union Savings Bank wealth management team at the North Street and Monroe branch offices. Camarota provides a variety of services, including financial planning, estate planning and asset management. “We are excited to welcome Vincent to Union Savings Bank,” said Union Savings Bank Executive Vice President, Wealth Management and Branch Banking Rick Judd. “Vincent brings his client-oriented focus and substantial experience to the North Street and Monroe branch offices. We’re proud to offer his expertise to our customers at these branches.” Prior to joining Union Savings Bank, Camarota served as a financial adviser and assistant vice president of investments at Wells Fargo Advisors from 2014 to 2018. He has also worked as a financial adviser for Morgan Stanley. Camarota is a resident of Trumbull, with his wife, Jennifer, and their daughter, Halle.

CORNELL VET HONORED

From left: Pamela Askinazi, Rhonda Rooney, Jeremie Cooper, Susan Hermann, Laura Van Scoy, Amy de Lannoy, Christina Bennett and Lewis Lerman.

Information for these features has been submitted by the subjects or their delegates.

Generation Impact Leadership Committee at launch event at Arch Street Teen Center in Greenwich. Membership is open to all high school girls in Fairﬁeld County for 2018-19 school year.

office, located at 315 Post Road West, added support beams for kitchen cabinets and built the subfloor for the second floor of a two-family house.

Halloran Sage has offices in Hartford, Danbury, Middletown, New Haven, New London and Westport, as well as a branch in Washington, D.C.

Cornell University Veterinary Specialists in Stamford announced that on Sept. 15, Cornell University Veterinary Specialists’ board-certified Emergency and Critical Care Specialist Dr. Elisa Mazzaferro, received the Ira M. Zaslow Distinguished Service Award from the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS). This prestigious award is the highest honor the VECCS bestows and gives out annually to an individual demonstrating extraordinary commitment and exceptional contribution, to both the specialty of emergency and critical care and to the VECCS. The award is named for Ira M. Zaslow, one of the founders of the VECCS and American College of Veterinary Emergency Critical Care. Mazzaferro joins an elite group in the field who have received this honor.

MUSEUM TO HOST JAMES GURNEY

Fred McKinney

McKINNEY NAMED CARLTON HIGHSMITH CHAIR AT QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY Fred McKinney of Trumbull has been named the Carlton Highsmith Chair of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Quinnipiac University. “The challenge that all universities have is that you have to be relevant and you have to continue to be innovative and develop relationships,” McKinney said. “This is going to be a solid challenge that I am extremely excited about. At this point in my career, I really want to be more engaged in a specific academic community. The opportunity to come in and make an impact will be fun and rewarding for all Quinnipiac University stakeholders.” In addition to teaching students at Quinnipiac, McKinney will be responsible for the People’s United Bank Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Quinnipiac University. “I have several ideas that I envision happening with the center,” he said. “I see the center being a transformative place where students, staff and faculty can work and develop entrepreneurial ideas that ultimately go to market.” McKinney said that he hopes to use his vast corporate connections to develop advisory councils and to form partnerships with the university. “Innovation often comes from the outside,” he said. “I see the center and our students as being the outside source of innovation and entrepreneurship that corporations — locally, regionally and eventually nationally — will rely upon.” ‘Fred McKinney is a recognized thought leader in entrepreneurship and business education,” said Carlton Highsmith, vice chairman of the Quinnipiac University Board of Trustees, who established the chair in 2012 with a $1 million gift. “He brings exceptional expertise to Quinnipiac University, along with a proven track record of forging innovative and collaborative partnerships across a broad and diverse network of constituencies.”

Artist and author James Gurney in his studio. A painting of Pelagornis, a prehistoric pseudotooth bird.

The Bruce Museum in Greenwich will welcome artist and author James Gurney for two special public events: one Oct. 8, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., an art workshop titled “Techniques for Science Illustration with James Gurney;” and Oct. 9, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Gurney will present the Marianne Smith Memorial Lecture, “How I Paint Dinosaurs: Art, Science and Imagination.” At the Oct. 8 art workshop led by Gurney, participants will use water-soluble colored pencils, watercolors and gouache to depict an inspiring array of specimens from the museum’s collections. Materials will be provided. The cost is $40 for museum members; $55 for nonmembers. To register, visit brucemuseum.org and click “Reservations.” On Oct. 9, Gurney will share the practical

methods that he uses to translate a scientist’s understanding of an extinct creature into a realistic painting. A reception takes place at 6:30 p.m.; Gurney’s talk begins at 7 p.m. and will be followed by a book signing. The “How I Paint Dinosaurs: Art, Science, and Imagination” lecture is free for museum members and students with ID; nonmembers $15. Reservations can be made at brucemuseum.org; please register in advance as space will be limited for both events. Gurney’s career as an artist and illustrator began in the 1980s. He painted more than 70 covers for science fiction and fantasy paperback novels and worked on numerous assignments for National Geographic magazine, specializing in reconstructions of ancient civilizations and depictions of legend-

ary voyages. He also created several stamp designs for the US Postal Service, most notably The World of Dinosaurs in 1996. In 1992, Gurney’s masterwork, “Dinotopia: a Land Apart from Time,” was published. The book was on The New York Times Bestseller List, and Gurney won many awards for his writing and illustrations, including the Hugo. “Few artists have been able to insert real paleontological science into their art so masterfully as James Gurney,” said Kate Dzikiewicz, the museum’s Paul Griswold Howes Fellow. “As a museum of both art and science, the Bruce is delighted to be able to host someone who so fully embodies our dual mission.” For more, contact Dzikiewicz at kdzikiewicz@brucemuseum.org or 203-413-6747.

ABILITY BEYOND HOSTS LIFE-SAVING SUICIDE PREVENTION FORUM Ability Beyond is raising awareness about the devastating impact of suicide by hosting a screening of the documentary “Suicide: The Ripple Effect” in conjunction with Catholic Charities and Mental Health Connecticut. The film will be shown at Bank Street Theater, 46 Bank St. in New Milford on Thursday, Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. Following the screening, representatives from all three organizations will be on hand to speak with any individuals looking for assistance and to provide information. “We are hosting this event so that people in crisis can find hope and get help before it is too late,” said Michelle Weinstein, residential and clinical ser-

vices manager. “We hope this event will have a tremendous positive impact on reducing the number of suicides and suicide attempts in our community.” The 90-minute film chronicles the story of Kevin Hines, who at age 19 attempted to take his life by jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge. Seventeen years later, he still struggles with many of the same symptoms, but he is on a mission to use his story to help others stay alive. Research has shown that for every single suicide death, 115 people are directly and secondarily affected. Nearly 1 million people die annually by suicide. In the United States alone there are one million

ABILITY BEYOND RECEIVES $50,000 For more than three decades, Ability Beyond has forged new roads of opportunities for people with disabilities. Now, with a $50,000 grant from the PwC Foundation, the nonprofit organization is striving to bridge the gap between job-seekers with disabilities and companies that are looking to hire. “In this era of record-low unemployment, nearly 40 percent of employers are having challenges hiring qualified employees, while at the same time one in five people in our country have some type of disability and are facing challenges in getting hired,” explained Tracy Conte, vice president of development and community engagement at Ability Beyond. “Utilizing our expertise, we will produce free webinars for each group to give them the skills and knowledge to meet each other’s needs.” The webinars will be designed by Disability Solutions, a national disability employment initiative developed by Ability Beyond five years ago in conjunction with PepsiCo. “At PwC we know it is critical that organizations that attract a diverse workforce with a wide range of experiences can harness different approaches to problem solving and power innovation,” said Sigal Zarmi, chief information officer at PwC. “We are thrilled the PwC Charitable Foundation is providing this grant to Ability Beyond to help them increase employment opportunities for talent with disabilities.” Ability Beyond is headquartered in Bethel, and Chappaqua, New York. It provides a wide range of services for more than 3,000 people with disabilities that inhibit their activities of daily living.

CONNECT WITH westfair communications

suicide attempts in a given year and more than 44,000 deaths by suicide, with our military being hit particularly hard. To pre-order tickets, visit the screening page at https://gathr.us/screening/24105. You can view the trailer and get more information about the film at SuicideTheRippleEffect.com, Watch Kevin Hines on BuzzFeed or Suicide The Ripple Effect on Facebook. Ability Beyond is a 501{c} (3) organization headquartered in Bethel and Chappaqua, New York. It provides a wide range of services for more than 3,000 people with disabilities that inhibit their activities of daily living.

westfaironline.com wagmag.com

FCBJ

OCTOBER 1, 2018

Facts & Figures American Chair Car Services LLC, et al., Trumbull. Filed by People’s United Bank N.A., Bridgeport. Plaintiff’s attorney: Benanti & Associates, Stamford. Action: The plaintiff has brought this breach of contract suit against the defendants alleging that they had failed to make timely payments to the plaintiff for a business overdraft line agreement. The plaintiff has declared the entire outstanding principal balance of $5,000 due and has made a demand for the balance, yet has not received payment. The plaintiff claims money damages, attorney’s fees, interest, damages and court costs. Case no. FBT-CV186078740-S. Filed Sept. 12. B&M Builders LLC, et al., Colchester. Filed by People’s United Bank N.A., Bridgeport. Plaintiff’s attorney: Benanti & Associates, Stamford. Action: The plaintiff has brought this breach of contract suit against the defendants alleging that they had failed to make timely payments to the plaintiff for a business credit line note. The plaintiff has declared the entire outstanding principal balance of $5,000 due and has made a demand for the balance, yet has not received payment. The plaintiff claims money damages, attorney’s fees, interest, damages and court costs. Case no. FBT-CV186078739-S. Filed Sept. 12. Esurance Insurance Co., et al., Hartford. Filed by James Roundtree, Bridgeport. Plaintiff’s attorney: De Lucia & Levine LLC, Bridgeport. Action: The plaintiff has brought this motor vehicle suit against the defendants alleging that he collided with an underinsured motorist and suffered injury. The insurance policy carried by the underinsured motorist is inadequate to fully compensate for the damages. The plaintiff alleges that his injuries are the legal responsibilities of his insurance company and related parties, the defendants. The plaintiff claims money damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interests and costs and such other relief as in law or equity may apply. Case no. FBTCV18-6078555-S. Filed Sept. 10. European Wax Center, et al., Miami, Florida. Filed by Denise Patton, Norwalk. Plaintiff’s attorney: Leann Riether, North Haven. Action: The plaintiff has brought this medical malpractice suit against the defendants alleging that she sustained burns to her skin due to improper treatment at the defendant’s facility. As a result, the plaintiff allegedly suffered scarring and severe pain. The plaintiff claims damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs. Case no. FBT-CV186078675-S. Filed Sept. 12.

OCTOBER 1, 2018

First Order LLC, et al., Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Filed by Alice Bruhl, Fairfield. Plaintiff’s attorney: Tremont Sheldon Robinson Mahoney PC, Bridgeport. Action: The plaintiff has brought this personal injury suit against the defendants alleging that she was hit by a car owned by the defendants and driven by an employee of the defendants during the course of their work. The defendants were allegedly negligent in that they operated their motor vehicle at an unreasonable rate of speed and failed to keep the vehicle under proper control. The plaintiff claims monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interests and costs and such other relief as the court deems just and proper. Case no. FBT-CV186078802-S. Filed Sept. 13. Frontier Communications Corp., et al., Norwalk. Filed by Miguel Calderon and Mayda Calderon, Trumbull. Plaintiffs’ attorney: Shepro & Hawkins L.L.C., Stratford. Action: The plaintiffs have brought this tort suit against the defendants alleging that they replaced a utility pole in front of the plaintiffs’ home. The defendants allegedly damaged a sewer line leading to the plaintiffs’ home, which caused dirt and debris to back up the plaintiffs’ plumbing, causing damages. The plaintiffs claim monetary damages, post-judgment interest, costs and any other relief that the court deems fair, just and equitable. Case no. FBT-CV18-6078607-S. Filed Sept. 11. Henry Urena Services LLC, et al., Bridgeport. Filed by Gail Wiggins, Bridgeport. Plaintiff’s attorney: Cohen and Wolf PC, Bridgeport. Action: The plaintiff has brought this personal injury suit against the defendants alleging that she slipped on an icy surface owned by the defendants and sustained injury. This icy condition was allegedly allowed to exist due to the negligence of the defendants and their employees in that they failed to remove ice and snow from their property. The plaintiff claims monetary damages within the jurisdiction of the court. Case no. FBT-CV18-6078768-S. Filed Sept. 13. Home Solutions Services LLC, Norwalk. Filed by Associates Employers Insurance Co., Burlington, Massachusetts. Plaintiff’s attorney: Sugarmann & Sugarmann, New Haven. Action: The plaintiff has brought this breach of contract suit against the defendant alleging that it had failed to make timely payments to the plaintiff for a workers’ compensation insurance policy provided to them. The plaintiff has declared the entire outstanding balance of $29,090 due and has made a demand for the balance, yet has not received payment. The plaintiff claims money damages, court costs, post-judgement interest and such other relief as may be deemed appropriate by the court. Case no. FBT-CV18-6078810-S. Filed Sept. 14.

FCBJ

Hurley Realty LLC, et al., Fairfield. Filed by People’s United Bank N.A., Bridgeport. Plaintiff’s attorney: Benanti & Associates, Stamford. Action: The plaintiff has brought this breach of contract suit against the defendants alleging that they had failed to make timely payments to the plaintiff for a U.S. Small Business Association note. The plaintiff has declared the entire outstanding principal balance of $309,000 due and has made a demand for the balance, yet has not received payment. The plaintiff claims money damages, possession of the collateral, attorney’s fees, interest, damages and court costs. Case no. FBT-CV186078738-S. Filed Sept. 12. LM General Insurance Co., Hartford. Filed by Lorna Lintag, Bridgeport. Plaintiff’s attorney: O’Brien & Foti, Middlebury. Action: The plaintiff has brought this motor vehicle suit against the defendant alleging that she collided with an underinsured motorist and suffered injury. The insurance policy carried by the underinsured motorist is inadequate to fully compensate for the damages. The plaintiff alleges that her injuries are the legal responsibilities of her insurance company, the defendant. The plaintiff claims money damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interests and costs and such other relief as in law or equity may apply. Case no. FBTCV18-6078595-S. Filed Sept. 10. Noble Estates LLC, Stratford. Filed by the Water Pollution Control Authority, Bridgeport. Plaintiff’s attorney: Russell D. Liskov, Bridgeport. Action: The plaintiff has brought this breach of contract suit against the defendant alleging that it had failed to make timely payments to the plaintiff for a sewer-use bill. The plaintiff has declared the entire outstanding principal balance of $1,256 due and has made a demand for the balance, yet has not received payment. The plaintiff claims money damages and court costs. Case no. FBT-CV18-6078696-S. Filed Sept. 12. Nunes Auto Body and Sales Inc., et al., Bridgeport. Filed by Jose Cruz and Marilyn Cruz, Ansonia. Plaintiffs’ attorney: William J. Hennessey, Bridgeport. Action: The plaintiffs have brought this personal injury suit against the defendants alleging that they were hit by a car owned by the defendants and driven by an employee of the defendants during the course of their work. The defendants were allegedly negligent in that they operated their motor vehicle at an unreasonable rate of speed. The plaintiffs claim monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interests and costs and such other relief as the court deems just and proper. Case no. FBT-CV186078761-S. Filed Sept. 13.

Oak Ridge Hauling LLC, et al., Hartford. Filed by Merlin Mullen, Bridgeport. Plaintiff’s attorney: De Lucia & Levine LLC, Bridgeport. Action: The plaintiff has brought this personal injury suit against the defendants alleging that he was hit by a dump truck owned by the defendants and driven by an employee of the defendants during the course of their work. The defendants were allegedly negligent in that they operated their motor vehicle at an unreasonable rate of speed. The plaintiff claims monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interests and costs, and such other relief as the court deems just and proper. Case no. FBT-CV186078551-S. Filed Sept. 10. Ocwen Loan Servicing LLC, et al., Hartford. Filed by Damion Dawes, Bridgeport. Plaintiff’s attorney: Skyers, Skyers & Harrell LLC, Bridgeport. Action: The plaintiff has brought this breach of contract suit against the defendants alleging that they had failed to return the plaintiff’s deposited money, which was due to him under his mortgage contingency clause. The plaintiff has declared the entire outstanding deposited balance of $5,166 due and has made a demand for the balance, yet has not received payment. The plaintiff claims money damages and court costs and such other and further relief as he may be entitled to in law or equity. Case no. FBTCV18-6078809-S. Filed Sept. 14. Patriot Relocation Services Inc., et al., Foxborough, Mass. Filed by Alberto Maldonado and Sharon White, Bridgeport. Plaintiffs’ attorney: De Lucia & Levine LLC, Bridgeport. Action: The plaintiffs have brought this personal injury suit against the defendants alleging that they were hit by a dump truck owned by the defendants and driven by an employee of the defendants during the course of their work. The defendants were allegedly negligent in that they operated their motor vehicle at an unreasonable rate of speed. The plaintiffs claim monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interests and costs and such other relief as the court deems just and proper. Case no. FBT-CV18-6078557-S. Filed Sept. 10. PML Management Services LLC, Stamford. Filed by the Water Pollution Control Authority, Bridgeport. Plaintiff’s attorney: Russell D. Liskov, Bridgeport. Action: The plaintiff has brought this breach of contract suit against the defendant alleging that it had failed to make timely payments to the plaintiff for a sewer-use bill. The plaintiff has declared the entire outstanding principal balance of $675 due and has made a demand for the balance, yet has not received payment. The plaintiff claims money damages and court costs. Case no. FBT-CV186078682-S. Filed Sept. 12.

Southern Connecticut Ice & Oil LLC, et al., Bridgeport. Filed by Otis McQueen, Bridgeport. Plaintiff’s attorney: R.S. Salvaggio, Bridgeport. Action: The plaintiff has brought this personal injury suit against the defendants alleging that he was hit by a truck owned by the defendants and driven by an employee of the defendants during the course of their work. The defendants were allegedly negligent in that they operated their motor vehicle at an unreasonable rate of speed and failed to keep a reasonable lookout. The plaintiff claims monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interests and costs and such other relief as the court deems just and proper. Case no. FBT-CV186078825-S. Filed Sept. 14. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co., Bloomington, Illinois. Filed by Gregory V. Anderson, Stratford. Plaintiff’s attorney: Ryan Ryan Deluca LLP, Stamford. Action: The plaintiff has brought this motor vehicle suit against the defendant alleging that he collided with an underinsured motorist and suffered injury. The insurance policy carried by the underinsured motorist is inadequate to fully compensate for the damages. The plaintiff alleges that his injuries are the legal responsibilities of his insurance company, the defendant. The plaintiff claims money damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interests and costs and such other relief as in law or equity may apply. Case no. FBTCV18-6078660-S. Filed Sept. 11. The Stop and Shop Supermarket Company LLC, et al., Hartford. Filed by Christine Schede, Bridgeport. Plaintiff’s attorneys: Ganim Legal PC, Bridgeport. Action: The plaintiff has brought this personal injury suit against the defendants alleging that she slipped on liquid dish soap in a store owned by the defendants and sustained injury. This icy condition was allegedly allowed to exist due the negligence of the defendants and their employees in that they failed to clear the floor of their store. The plaintiff claims monetary damages within the jurisdiction of the court. Case no. FBT-CV18-6078661-S. Filed Sept. 12. WCG & LLC, Bridgeport. Filed by Water Pollution Control Authority, Bridgeport. Plaintiff’s attorney: Russell D. Liskov, Bridgeport. Action: The plaintiff has brought this breach of contract suit against the defendant alleging that they had failed to make timely payments to the plaintiff for a sewer-use bill. The plaintiff has declared the entire outstanding principal balance of $1,463 due and has made a demand for the balance, yet has not received payment. The plaintiff claims money damages and court costs. Case no. FBT-CV18-6078786-S. Filed Sept. 13.

Danbury Superior Court Denny’s Restaurant, Danbury. Filed by Rena Bennett, Danbury. Plaintiff’s attorney: Mulvey & Korotash. Action: The plaintiff has brought this personal injury suit against the defendant alleging that she slipped on defective carpeting owned by the defendant and sustained injury. This dangerous condition was allegedly allowed to exist due to the negligence of the defendant and its employees in that they allowed their carpeting to fall into disrepair. The plaintiff claims monetary damages within the jurisdiction of the court. Case no. DBD-CV18-6028586-S. Filed Sept. 13. National Surety Corp., Hartford. Filed by Peter Haug, Bethel. Plaintiff’s attorney: Ventura, Ribeiro & Smith, Danbury. Action: The plaintiff has brought this motor vehicle suit against the defendant alleging that he collided with a motorist and suffered injury. The plaintiff has exhausted the insurance policy payout of the motorist and it is inadequate to pay for the plaintiff’s injuries. The plaintiff alleges that his injuries are the legal responsibilities of his insurance company, the defendant. The plaintiff claims money damages in excess of $15,000 and all other just relief as the court deems appropriate and proper. Case no. DBD-CV18-6028567-S. Filed Sept. 11. Rainproof LLC, et al., Ridgefield. Filed by The Ridgefield Supply Co., Ridgefield. Plaintiff’s attorney: Alfred J. Zullo, East Haven. Action: The plaintiff has brought this breach of contract suit against the defendants alleging that they had failed to make timely payments to the plaintiff for construction goods provided. The plaintiff has declared the entire outstanding principal balance of $11,709 due and has made a demand for the balance, yet has not received payment. The plaintiff claims money damages and court costs. Case no. DBD-CV186028582-S. Filed Sept. 12. Technomotors LLC, et al., Danbury. Filed by David Martins Figueiredo, Danbury. Plaintiff’s attorney: Patricia M. Cruz Fragoso, Ventura Law, Danbury. Action: The plaintiff has brought this personal injury suit against the defendants alleging that he was hit by a car owned by the defendants and driven by an employee of the defendants during the course of their work. The defendants were allegedly negligent in that they operated their motor vehicle at an unreasonable rate of speed. The plaintiff claims monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interests and costs and such other relief as the court deems just and proper. Case no. DBD-CV186028564-S. Filed Sept. 11.

Facts & Figures The Chef’s Warehouse Inc., et al., Hartford. Filed by Scott Dale, Brookfield. Plaintiff’s attorney: Joshua R. Goodbaum, New Haven. Action: The plaintiff has brought this improper firing suit against the defendants alleging that she had been fired for cooperating with a government agency to investigate the underpayment of custom duties related to the importing of tuna. As a result, he suffered financial loss and emotional distress. Plaintiff claims back pay and front pay, compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorney’s fees and costs, removal of defamatory documents in plaintiff’s personnel file and such other and further relief as the court deems necessary and proper. Case no. DBD-CV18-6028555-S. Filed Sept. 10.

FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT A&J Gas Inc., et al. Filed by SEI Fuel Services Inc. Plaintiff’s attorney: Harriton & Furner LLP, Armonk, New York. Action: The plaintiff has brought this trademark infringement suit against the defendants alleging that they used Citgo gas station trademarks to sell their gasoline, which the plaintiff did not authorize prior to the branding supply agreement. This allegedly caused consumer confusion. The plaintiff claims monetary damages, expenses, costs, attorney’s fees and such other and further relief as may be deemed appropriate in law or equity. Case no. 3:18-cv-01553-AWT. Filed Sept. 14. Falzone Development Company LLC, et al., Norwalk. Filed by SIR Construction LLC, Westport. Plaintiff’s attorney: Handal & Morofsky, Fairfield. Action: The plaintiff has brought this copyright infringement suit against the defendants alleging that they incorporated a design from one of the plaintiff’s home into its own construction, which they then sold to homeowners. The plaintiff claims a monetary injunction, profits, costs, attorney’s fees, gains, disbursements and such other and further relief as may be deemed appropriate in law or equity. Case no. 3:18-cv-01531-JCH. Filed Sept. 11. Farmers Insurance Corporation Insurance Co. Filed by Sylvia Emiabata, Fairfield. Plaintiff’s attorney: self-representing, Fairfield. Action: The plaintiff has brought this insurance contract suit against the defendant alleging that it failed to investigate an auto accident while the plaintiff was covered under its insurance claim and failed to pay insurance to the motorist. The plaintiff claims $340,000, interest, costs and such other and further relief as may be deemed appropriate in law or equity. Case no. 3:18-cv01520-JCH. Filed Sept. 10.

RIO Café, et al., Bridgeport. Filed by G&G Closed Circuit Events LLC, San Jose, California. Plaintiff’s attorney: Law Office of Joel M. Jolles, Hamden. Action: The plaintiff has brought this unauthorized reception of signal suit against the defendants alleging that they intercepted the plaintiff’s commercial signal without a commercial license and displayed it in their premises for monetary gain, causing damages. The plaintiff claims monetary damages, costs, attorney’s fees and such other and further relief as may be deemed appropriate in law or equity. Case no. 3:18-cv-01563-VAB. Filed Sept. 14. Rosenthal, Morgan and Thomas Inc., et al., St. Louis, Mississippi. Filed by Maria Golino, Milford. Plaintiff’s attorney: Robert L. Arleo, New York, New York. Action: The plaintiff has brought this fair debt collection suit against the defendants alleging that they made a false claim about their ability to garnish the plaintiff’s wage in an attempt to collect debt, causing damages. The plaintiff claims statutory damages, attorney’s fees, litigation expenses, costs and such other and further relief as may be deemed appropriate in law or equity. Case no. 3:18-cv-01540-VAB. Filed Sept. 12.

DEEDS COMMITTEE DEEDS Sciubba, Bettina R., et al., Norwalk. Appointed committee: Gary Richard Khachian, Norwalk. Property: 21 Spring Hill Ave., Apt. J, Norwalk. Amount: $201,300. Docket no. FST-CV16-6030348-S. Filed Sept. 10. Wong, Dennis H., Westport. Appointed committee: Gary R. Khachian, Westport. Property: 10 Hickory Hill Road, Westport. Amount: $586,915. Docket no. FST-CV176030777-S. Filed Aug. 27. Yaniv, Marta, et al., Stamford. Appointed committee: Seth J. Arnowitz, Stamford. Property: 225 Eden Road, Stamford. Amount: $500,000. Docket no. FST-CV17-6032248. Filed Aug. 20.

COMMERCIAL 154 Euclid Ave Fairfield LLC, Easton. Seller: James F. Blackburn, Monrovia, Maryland. Property: 154 Euclid Ave., Fairfield. Amount: $325,000. Filed Aug. 24. 308 Colony Street LLC, Fairfield. Seller: Mary Ann Hyzynski, Boynton Beach, Florida. Property: 363 Grasmere Heights, Fairfield. Amount: $300,000. Filed Aug. 27.

42 Dean Place LLC, Westport. Seller: BCT-42 LLC, Bridgeport. Property: 42 Dean Place, Bridgeport. Amount: $5 million. Filed Aug. 30.

VON Realty LLC, Stamford. Seller: Hong Dou LLC, Darien. Property: 120 Huntington Turnpike, Unit 903, Bridgeport. Amount: $66,600. Filed Aug. 30.

51 Harbor Street LLC, Stamford. Seller: Arkadiusz Targonski and Teresa Targonski, Stamford. Property: 51 Harbor St., Stamford. Amount: $310,000. Filed Aug. 28.

RESIDENTIAL

61 Heming Way LLC, Stamford. Seller: George M. Krawiec and Deborah Krawiec, Stamford. Property: Lot 4, Map 11895, Stamford. Amount: $750,000. Filed Aug. 31. A&F Gallery LLC, Newtown. Seller: Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Association Inc., Newtown. Property: 77 Main St., Newtown. Amount: $75,000. Filed Aug. 28. Brookfield Relocation Inc., Scottsdale, Arizona. Seller: Kevin D. McNeice and Leslie A. McNeice, Westport. Property: Lot 2, Map 4587, Norwalk. Amount: $575,000. Filed Aug. 29. Brookfield Relocation Inc., Scottsdale, Arizona. Seller: Kevin D. McNeice and Leslie A. McNeice, Westport. Property: 8 Cross Brook Lane, Westport. Amount: $575,000. Filed Aug. 29. King’s Properties LLC, Newtown. Seller: Kathleen B. Butteiger, Defiance, Mississippi. Property: Map 3223, 2 Tracts, Newtown. Amount: $640,000. Filed Aug. 28. McKenzie Real Estate Group, Fairfield. Seller: Virginia McClinch, Fairfield. Property: Lot 6, Map 1086, Fairfield. For an unknown amount paid. Filed Aug. 30. MM Deer Lane LLC, Armonk, New York. Seller: 6 Deer Lane LLC, Greenwich. Property: 6 Deer Lane, Greenwich. Amount: $2.8 million. Filed Aug. 29. Park Square West DE 1 LLC, et al., Lakewood, New Jersey. Seller: Annemid PSW LLC, Boston, Massachusetts. Property: Summer and Main streets, Stamford. Amount: $60 million. Filed Sept. 5. Ramp LLC, Trumbull. Seller: David Stanley Gorbach and Joan Elizabeth Gorbach, Fairfield. Property: 34 Post Road, Fairfield. Amount: $1 million. Filed Aug. 23. The city of Shelton. Seller: Shelton Developers LLC, Shelton. Property: Turkey Hill Estates, Shelton. For no consideration paid. Filed Aug. 23. Town of Greenwich. Seller: Mary T. Kinahan, Greenwich. Property: 100 Maple Ave., Greenwich. Amount: $1.5 million. Filed Aug. 21.

Addo, Salome and Noel Addo, West Haven. Seller: Toll Connecticut II Limited Partnership, Horsham, Pennsylvania. Property: 8 Reid Lane, Bethel. Amount: $707,582. Filed Aug. 20. Aggarwal, Neeraj, Westport. Seller: Linh Ly, Stamford. Property: 850 E. Main St., Unit 409, Stamford. Amount: $362,500. Filed Sept. 6. Altschul-Latzman, Aimee S. and Gordon Latzman, Westport. Seller: John B. Moriarty Jr. and Elizabeth Moriarty, Westport. Property: Lot 30, Map 3887, Westport. Amount: $1.8 million. Filed Aug. 28. Astankova, Tatiana and Andrey Rybka, Bayonne, New Jersey. Seller: Maksim Yelyashkevich, Greenwich. Property: Rodwell Avenue, Greenwich. Amount: $514,500. Filed Aug. 24.

Borisov, Vladimir and Aleksandra Borisova, Stamford. Seller: Cliff Ng, Stamford. Property: Unit C-7 of Highview Manor Condominium, Stamford. Amount: $360,000. Filed Aug. 23.

Cummings, Kathleen Mary, Stamford. Seller: Alan H. Owens and Elizabeth M. Foran-Owens, Stamford. Property: Lot 20, Map 1143, Stamford. Amount: $675,000. Filed Aug. 22.

Bose, Denise Du and Terrance Williams, Norwalk. Seller: Felix Rodriguez and Nayda M. Rodriguez, Bridgeport. Property: 16 Ivy Place, Norwalk. Amount: $499,000. Filed Aug. 30.

Dean, Joan W., St. Petersburg, Florida. Seller: Henry Schefter, Toronto, Ontario. Property: 101 Rowayton Ave., Norwalk. Amount: $450,000. Filed Aug. 27.

Boselli, Barbara Geluda and Lucas Carvalho Boselli, Culver City, California. Property: James C. Ezzes, Westport. Property: 7 Gault Park Drive, Westport. Amount: $1.8 million. Filed Aug. 22. Carpenter, Alexander A., Redding. Seller: William Simko and Tara Stevenson, Nokomis, Florida. Property: 23 Kayview Ave., Bethel. Amount: $277,000. Filed Aug. 23. Castro-Cisneros, Ingrid Marisol and Imilcy M. Castro-Cisneros, Norwalk. Seller: Gregory R. Smith and Stella L. Smith, Norwalk. Property: New Canaan Ave., Norwalk. Amount: $340,000. Filed Aug. 23.

Athmaram, Karthnick, Fairfield. Seller: Bank of America N.A., Greenville, South Carolina. Property: 280 Bronson Road, Fairfield. Amount: $349,125. Filed Aug. 28.

Charron, Robin J. and Thomas A. Charron, Fairfield. Seller: 1170 Hulls Farm Road LLC, Fairfield. Property: 1170 Hulls Farm Road, Fairfield. Amount: $2.6 million. Filed Aug. 31.

Batista, Francileny Ribeiro and Jackson Batista, Danbury. Seller: Jackson Batista, Danbury. Property: Lot B, Map 169, Danbury. For no consideration paid. Filed Aug. 23.

Colletti, Stacy L. and Julian Colletti, Easton. Seller: Gama Developers Inc., Wolcott. Property: 42 Starr Lane, Bethel. Amount: $949,900. Filed Aug. 23.

Bazile, Myssolle, Stamford. Seller: Shirley Rothman Siegel, Stamford. Property: 32 Weed Hill Ave., Unit S, Stamford. Amount: $191,429. Filed Aug. 22.

Conde, Claire and Andrew Conde, Fairfield. Seller: Alicia B. Carew, Fairfield. Property: 18 Ennis Lane, Fairfield. Amount: $725,000. Filed Aug. 28.

Ben-Simon, Tamar and Bobby Ben-Simon, Greenwich. Seller: Sabrina Alonzo and Martin V. Alonzo, Greenwich. Property: Lot 3, Map 4241, Greenwich. Amount: $1.7 million. Filed Aug. 31.

Corrales, Cesar E. Gonzalez, Norwalk. Seller: Walter Oliva and Carmen Oliva, Norwalk. Property: Unit 4 in Cedar Manor Condominium, Norwalk. Amount: $215,000. Filed Aug. 23.

Bentley, Nancy and Ramon Bentley, Stamford. Seller: Iva Joyce Hill, Norwalk. Property: Unit 1L, Map 7922, Norwalk. Amount: $212,500. Filed Aug. 31.

Correa, Melissa A. and Paul Correa, Norwalk. Seller: Alexander P. Wolf and Gregory W. Wolf, New Canaan. Property: Unit 54 of Sunrise Hill Town Houses, Norwalk. Amount: $375,000. Filed Aug. 24.

Booker, Sitara C., West Haven. Seller: Thomas K. Wetmore Jr., Shelton. Property: 433 Grasmere Ave., Fairfield. Amount: $255,000. Filed Aug. 27. Boothe-Trowers, Rianne, Bridgeport. Seller: Claudia I. Aguilar, Bridgeport. Property: Lot 44, Eastwood Park, Bridgeport. Amount: $169,900. Filed Aug. 31.

Costa, Nicole and Louis Costa, Fairfield. Seller: Megan Higgins-Knislis, Fairfield. Property: Lot 18, Map 1634, Fairfield. Amount: $716,000. Filed Aug. 30. Crawford, Justin D., Bridgeport. Seller: Ann Louise Onton, Shelton. Property: 69 First St., Fairfield. Amount: $315,000. Filed Aug. 28.

FCBJ

Dias, Luziane F. and Lucas Vieira Ferranini-Dias, Bethel. Seller: Eugene T. Kaminski, Bethel. Property: 112 Codfish Hill Road, Bethel. Amount: $252,000. Filed Aug. 20. Dowling, Sean Patrick and Darren Grant Davis, Greenwich. Seller: Four Sparrows LLC, Greenwich. Property: 190 Milbank Ave., Unit A, Greenwich. Amount: $2.9 million. Filed Aug. 23. Dunkin, Stacey L. and John R. Dunkin, Newtown. Seller: Mark J. Valentine and Theresa M. Valentine, Bethany. Property: 27 Bankside Trail, Newtown. Amount: $365,000. Filed Aug. 30. Espejo-Soto, Nicole N., Bridgeport. Seller: Gabor Molnar, Trumbull. Property: 130 Weber Ave., Bridgeport. Amount: $335,000. Filed Aug. 29. Fedorko, Joseph M., Greenwich. Seller: HSBC Bank USA N.A., Buffalo, New York. Property: 19 Hillcrest Park Road, Greenwich. Amount: $1.7 million. Filed Aug. 24. Frankel, Sean, Westport. Seller: Maury F. Wind and Aliza Wind, Westport. Property: 55 High Point Road, Westport. Amount: $925,000. Filed Aug. 29. Fritsch, Linda and Stephen Fritsch, Darien. Seller: Eileen Kinahan, Norwalk. Property: 25 Grand St., Unit 209, Norwalk. Amount: $225,000. Filed Aug. 27. Fuica, Andrea and Carlos Gallardo-Bridge, Fairfield. Seller: Joanne Hilbert, Plantation, Florida. Property: 504 Davis Road, Fairfield. Amount: $203,500. Filed Aug. 31. Gabriel, Jose, Stamford. Seller: Robert E. Farrell and Carol A. Farrell, Stamford. Property: 70 Boulder Brook Drive, Stamford. Amount: $670,000. Filed Aug. 27. Geary, Roger A., Stamford. Seller: Elliott Resnick and Rita Fusaro Resnick, Stamford. Property: 252 Glenbrook Road, Unit 39A, Stamford. Amount: $175,000. Filed Sept. 6.

OCTOBER 1, 2018

Facts & Figures Giordano, Judy K. and Christopher J. Giordano, Newtown. Seller: John A. Villa Jr. and Debra A. Villa, Newtown. Property: 3 Daves Lane, Newtown. Amount: $350,000. Filed Aug. 30.

Hoekenga, Sandra and Craig T. Koekenga, Shelton. Seller: Scott M. Marcello and Gloria D. Marcello, Daytona Beach, Florida. Property: 627 Hoydens Hill Road, Fairfield. Amount: $1.3 million. Filed Aug. 20.

King, Katherine C. and Jeffrey J. Morganteen, New York, New York. Seller: Anne E. Gaylin and Michael S. Flynt, Norwalk. Property: 7 Olmstead Place, Norwalk. Amount: $425,000. Filed Aug. 22.

Glekas, Nikki Z. and Dimitrios N. Glekas, Stamford. Seller: 20 Bridge Street LLC, Westport. Property: 20 Bridge St., Westport. Amount: $1.7 million. Filed Aug. 30.

Hynes, Erin and Adam Marr, Greenwich. Seller: Citimortgage Inc., O’Fallon, Missouri. Property: 45 Doubling Road, Greenwich. Amount: $1.4 million. Filed Aug. 29.

Kochakian, Nicholas D., Norwalk. Seller: Thomas Flanagan, Norwalk. Property: 65 Wolfpit Ave., Unit 3B, Norwalk. Amount: $346,000. Filed Aug. 29.

Manasse, Susan and Mark Blindman, Chappaqua, New York. Seller: Stephen D. Hooper and Sandra Van Wachem, Stamford. Property: 105 Harbor Drive, Unit 107, Stamford. Amount: $400,000. Filed Sept. 14.

Gluska, Eric Menachem and Jaime Frances Gluska, Norwalk. Seller: Vernetta D. Gallop, Norwalk. Property: 8 Oakwood Ave., Unit D5, Norwalk. Amount: $250,000. Filed Aug. 27.

Jackson, Dolores, Bridgeport. Seller: Stephanie Wong, Bridgeport. Property: 315 Holland Road, Bridgeport. Amount: $219,900. Filed Aug. 29.

Kortze, Tara and John Kortze, Newtown. Seller: HRT Construction LLC, Newtown. Property: 37A Hundred Acres Road, Newtown. Amount: $175,000. Filed Aug. 28.

Maraun, Sarah and Alec Smith, Westport. Seller: Sarah Maraun, Westport. Property: 7 Mills St., Westport. For no consideration paid. Filed Aug. 23.

Jagannathan, Nappina Devi and Jagannathan Damodaran, Stamford. Seller: Andrew R. Borghi and Josephine Borghi, Stamford. Property: 18 Hirsch Road, Stamford. Amount: $545,000. Filed Sept. 10.

Koster-Noe, Marcia A., Norwalk. Seller: Rauthgundis R. Bates, Norwalk. Property: 55 Rowayton Woods Drive, Unit 81, Norwalk. Amount: $275,000. Filed Aug. 29.

Marcy, Lisa A. and Eric Sarner, Brookfield. Seller: Christopher J. D’Amico and Sara A. D’Amico, Newtown. Property: 117 Alberts Hill Road, Newtown. Amount: $527,900. Filed Aug. 31.

Gomez, Deanna A. and David A. Gomez, Harrison, New York. Seller: Brian McFadden and Mary Beth Lantz-McFadden, Greenwich. Property: Lot 81, Map 2668, Greenwich. Amount: $640,000. Filed Aug. 29. Guallpa, Maria B. Remache and Cleve Favian Montaleza, Danbury. Seller: Marie R. Cesca, Danbury. Property: 32 Meadowbrook Road, Danbury. Amount: $275,000. Filed Aug. 23. Guan, Shan, Stamford. Seller: James G. Bazlen and Alice E. Bazlen, Phoenix, Arizona. Property: 125 Prospect St., Unit 6H, Stamford. Amount: $135,000. Filed Sept. 7. Gubinski, Alexa, Fairfield. Seller: Maura McNeil, Fairfield. Property: 33 Hackley St., Bridgeport. Amount: $278,300. Filed Aug. 28. Guffanti, Stacy and Alexander Guffanti, New York, New York. Seller: Margaret Ann Sarkela, Greenwich. Property: Lots 8 and 9, Ridge Brook Road, Greenwich. For no consideration paid. Filed Aug. 31. Gunzy, Gail, Shelton. Seller: Michael J. Rabel, Shelton. Property: 250 Deer Run, Shelton. Amount: $293,000. Filed Aug. 24. Haske, Linda J., Danbury. Seller: Pamela Wirth, Ridgefield. Property: 64 Suzie Drive, Newtown. Amount: $300,000. Filed Aug. 28. Haxhaj, Lirije and Altin Haxhaj, Newtown. Seller: Deborah Heffernan, Newtown. Property: 12 Alberts Hill Road, Newtown. Amount: $465,000. Filed Aug. 27. Herzfeld, Marie McCall, Fairfield. Seller: Elkoun Management LLC, Fairfield. Property: 124 Sunset Ave., Fairfield. Amount: $350,000. Filed Aug. 28.

OCTOBER 1, 2018

Jarrin, Jonathan, Bridgeport. Seller: Christopher P. Furegno and Teresa Furegno, Fairfield. Property: 391 Melville Ave., Fairfield. Amount: $365,000. Filed Aug. 20. Jordan, Amanda, Stamford. Seller: Arthur J. Brown Jr. and Diane Brown, Stamford. Property: 85 Camp Ave., Unit 6F, Stamford. Amount: $455,000. Filed Sept. 11. Kaba, Durim and Bekim Kaba, Stamford. Seller: Cindy Palladino, Stamford. Property: 190 Highview Ave., Stamford. Amount: $297,500. Filed Sept. 11. Kaminski, Kathleen and Alfred Kaminski, Danbury. Seller: Gary Rosenfeld, Danbury. Property: 8 Faith Lane, Danbury. Amount: $375,000. Filed Aug. 21. Kaplowitz, Stephanie and Jordan Kaplowitz, Stamford. Seller: Elsie M. Bromfield, Stamford. Property: Lot 53, Map 3483, Stamford. Amount: $241,500. Filed Aug. 24. Kelly, Lori, New Canaan. Seller: Edward C. M. Brown and Norman H. Brown, Norwalk. Property: Unit 188 of Rowayton Woods Condominium, Norwalk. Amount: $441,000. Filed Sept. 13. Khan, Afreen and Manzoor Sharif, Stamford. Seller: Maurice Bastidas, Stamford. Property: 71 Strawberry Hill Ave., Unit 802, Stamford. Amount: $195,000. Filed Sept. 7. Kiely, Teresa and Patrick J. Kiely, Newtown. Seller: Federal National Mortgage Association, Dallas, Texas. Property: 148 Louis Hill Road, Newtown. Amount: $220,000. Filed Aug. 28.

FCBJ

Kuntz, Bernadette and Jeffrey D. Longo, New Milford. Seller: Matthew R. Bradley and Loreen K. Bradley, Bethel. Property: 88 Codfish Hill Road, Bethel. Amount: $355,000. Filed Aug. 20. Landau, David Edward, Newtown. Seller: The Bank of New York Mellon, trustee, Coral Gables, Florida. Property: 30 Plumtrees Road, Bethel. Amount: $166,425. Filed Aug. 22.

Male, Jane and Jeremy Male, Greenwich. Seller: Lorraine C. Scarpa, Greenwich. Property: 233 Byram Shore Road, Greenwich. Amount: $5.5 million. Filed Aug. 30.

McDermott, Anne and Sean Jamieson, Los Angeles, California. Seller: Charles Tarricone and Amanda Gerich, Stamford. Property: 413 Glenbrook Road, Unit 2, Stamford. Amount: $309,500. Filed Aug. 31. McHugh, Robert J., Trumbull. Seller: George W. Ellis and Sheila K. Ellis, Fairfield. Property: 1460 Fairfield Beach Road, Fairfield. Amount: $1.3 million. Filed Aug. 30.

Lasalandra, Ana Carolina and Justin Peter Lasalandra, Stamford. Seller: Richard Gilhooly, Stamford. Property: 130 Dann Drive, Stamford. Amount: $570,000. Filed Aug. 22.

McKenna, Colm, Norwalk. Seller: Derrick J. Faunce and Paige Faunce, Fairfield. Property: 5 Brenner Road, Norwalk. Amount: $690,000. Filed Sept. 7.

Leon, Gabriela D. and Luis A. Leon, Oxford. Seller: Margaret J. Rotini and Jessica Lynn Cuthberson, Fairfield. Property: 51 Weeping Willow Lane, Fairfield. Amount: $453,000. Filed Aug. 27.

Mehta, Darshita and Vishal Shah, Norwalk. Seller: Anthony Cariddi and Lisa Cariddi, Thousand Oaks, California. Property: 450 Morehouse Highway, Fairfield. Amount: $505,000. Filed Aug. 30.

Longo, Carmella and Rocco Longo, Stamford. Seller: Mario Pimpinella and Danielle Pimpinella, Stamford. Property: 2675 Summer St., Unit 2H, Stamford. Amount: $171,500. Filed Aug. 28.

Menton, Dona Marie, Norwalk. Seller: Thomas P. Fallon and Rose B. Fallon, Norwalk. Property: 8 Gregory Blvd., Norwalk. Amount: $460,000. Filed Sept. 6.

Lopez, Elizabeth A. and Roberto C. Lopez, Stamford. Seller: Harry Veach and Mary Veach, Newtown. Property: 4 Scenic View Road, Newtown. Amount: $395,000. Filed Aug. 28. Magner, Jacquelyn, Norwalk. Seller: Barbara Smith, Norwalk. Property: 50 Aiken St., Unit 283, Norwalk. Amount: $252,000. Filed Aug. 27.

Minnick, Suzanne, Greenwich. Seller: Michael Rotchford, Greenwich. Property: Greenwich Terrace, Unit 3, Greenwich. Amount: $850,000. Filed Aug. 27. Molloy, Barbara and Patrick Molloy, Tarrytown, New York. Seller: Emily Hulce and Steven E. Hulce, Greenwich. Property: 23 Riverside Lane, Greenwich. Amount: $1.8 million. Filed Aug. 24. Morales, Lorraine W. and Robert Morales, Monroe. Seller: Nancy N. Darling, Bridgeport. Property: 155 Brewster St., Unit 2F, Bridgeport. Amount: $147,500. Filed Aug. 31.

Morales, Trish A. and Mario Morales, Port Chester, New York. Seller: Martina Halsey, Little Compton, Rhode Island. Property: Lot 6, Map 1418, Greenwich. Amount: $950,000. Filed Aug. 27.

Pisano, Kristina A. and Brian J. Pisano, Yonkers, New York. Seller: Ravi Patel and Dhruti Patel, Stamford. Property: 148 Sylvan Knoll Road, Stamford. Amount: $236,000. Filed Sept. 11.

Nabozny, Megan and Derek Nabozny, Norwalk. Seller: Joshua C. Courtney and Ashley N. Courtney, Fairfield. Property: 44 Dalewood Ave., Fairfield. Amount: $317,500. Filed Aug. 30.

Plaus, Francisco G., Norwalk. Seller: Jeffrey Wallace and Toni Wallace, Norwalk. Property: 28 Bartlett Manor, Norwalk. Amount: $360,000. Filed Sept. 5.

Neville, Anthony B., Norwalk. Seller: Robert Sachs and Dee Ann Sachs, Norwalk. Property: 265 East Ave., Norwalk. Amount: $671,000. Filed Aug. 23. Nguyen, Dean, Greenwich. Seller: Tetsuo Serizawa, Greenwich. Property: 67 Parker Ave., Greenwich. Amount: $890,000. Filed Aug. 30.

Pontillo, Charlotte, Norwalk. Seller: Steven Parrinello and Meredith Marks-Parrinello, Norwalk. Property: Lot 24, Map 5216, Norwalk. Amount: $600,000. Filed Sept. 14. Principe-Lopez, Jazmin and Rogelio Alberto Lopez Cardoso, Stamford. Seller: Ronald Dee, Stamford. Property: Lot 4, Map 6812, Stamford. Amount: $525,000. Filed Aug. 28.

Nixon, Michelle H. and Andrew E. Nixon, Ridgefield. Seller: Robert C. Baker and Jean H. Baker, Darien. Property: 216 Rowayton Yacht Club, Norwalk. Amount: $15,000. Filed Aug. 31.

Prisby, Jedediah, Stamford. Seller: Howard Flaster and Gail Flaster, Stamford. Property: Lot 3, Map 8001, Stamford. Amount: $595,000. Filed Sept. 7.

Odomirok, Jessica, Elmsford, New York. Seller: Jean M. Bickley, Stamford. Property: 2437 Bedford St., Unit C2, Stamford. Amount: $353,750. Filed Aug. 31.

Raith, Timothy D., Norwalk. Seller: U.S. Bank N.A., Salt Lake City, Utah. Property: 19 Seabreeze Place, Norwalk. Amount: $375,000. Filed Aug. 29.

Padilla, Javier, Norwalk. Seller: Charmaine Caldwell, Norwalk. Property: 97 W. Norwalk Road, Unit 12, Norwalk. Amount: $425,000. Filed Aug. 28.

Reddi, Maya and Chitra Ramcharandas, Greenwich. Seller: Lucinda Hay and James W. Smith, Greenwich. Property: Unit 623 of Lyon Farm Condominium, Greenwich. Amount: $1.4 million. Filed Aug. 30.

Patterson, Dolly H. and Christopher V. Scarpati, Ridgefield. Seller: Marie S. Lindegren and Anders G. Lindegren, Norwalk. Property: Lot 1B, Map 12210, Norwalk. Amount: $890,000. Filed Sept. 5. Pattinson, Mark, Westport. Seller: Robert Harrington and Claire Harrington, Westport. Property: Lot 15, Map 1674, Westport. Amount: $2.5 million. Filed Aug. 28. Piccirillo, Michael, Bethel. Seller: Patrick Joseph Kiely and Teresa Kiely, Newtown. Property: Lot 7, Bear Hills Road, Newtown. Amount: $317,900. Filed Sept. 4. Pileggi, Carla, Charles Nicholas Caviola, Charles N. Caviola Jr. and Deborah R. Caviola, Stamford. Seller: Mark Delano and Monali Gadde, Stamford. Property: 233 Sun Dance Road, Stamford. Amount: $475,000. Filed Sept. 10. Piro, Laraine M., Norwalk. Seller: Joseph Stempien Jr., Greenwich. Property: 906 Foxboro Drive, Norwalk. Amount: $212,000. Filed Aug. 24.

Riquelme II, Juan A., Newtown. Seller: Joseph H. Boggs and Denise D. Boggs, Newtown. Property: Lot 7, Map 4124, Newtown. Amount: $445,000. Filed Aug. 28. Riveiro, Marcos, Bridgeport. Seller: Jose G. Marmolejos and Silveria D. Marmolejos, Newtown. Property: 27 Charter Ridge Drive, Newtown. Amount: $245,000. Filed Sept. 5. Rooney, Charlotte A. and David M. Jones, Westport. Seller: Linda M. Amos, Westport. Property: Plot 16, Map 3887, Westport. Amount: $507,500. Filed Aug. 30. Rosenfeld, Lisa, Stamford. Seller: U.S. Bank N.A., Salt Lake City, Utah. Property: 150 Wild Duck Road, Stamford. Amount: $775,000. Filed Sept. 12. Rothenberg, Marin and Joseph Rothenberg, Greenwich. Seller: Gonzalo A. Montes and Claudia During, Greenwich. Property: 83 Perkins Road, Greenwich. Amount: $2.1 million. Filed Aug. 29.

Facts & Figures Ruger, Kaity Marie and David S. Ruger, Stamford. Seller: Michael G. Piro Jr., Linda Piro, Maria Nardi and Lawrence A. Nardi Jr., Stamford. Property: 637 Cove Road, Unit D13, Stamford. Amount: $159,000. Filed Aug. 30. Ruwisch, Jennifer Michelle Schindler and Wesley A. Ruwisch, Reston, Virginia. Seller: Andrew W. Cornwell and Kimberly G. Cornwell, Fairfield. Property: 670 Reid St., Fairfield. Amount: $600,000. Filed Aug. 27. Sakowich, Bonnie and Paul Sakowich, Woburn, Massachusetts. Seller: Cassondra L. Stevenson, Bethel. Property: 5 Redwood Drive, Bethel. Amount: $420,000. Filed Aug. 20. Salvatore Jr., Antonio, Norwalk. Seller: Gerald Ross Jr., Norwalk. Property: Lot 1, Map 6892, Norwalk. Amount: $360,000. Filed Sept. 12. Schaut, Julie Ellen, Stamford. Seller: John J. McCrory and Irene D. McCrory, Stamford. Property: 187 Dolphin Cove Quay, Stamford. Amount: $1.4 million. Filed Aug. 28. Servedio, Rosely and Domenick Servedio Jr., Stamford. Seller: Douglas E. Robinson, Westport. Property: 161 Hartswood Road, Stamford. Amount: $570,000. Filed Aug. 29. Shatford, William Ryan, Stamford. Seller: Meade Love Thomas, Stamford. Property: 4 Elizabeth St., Stamford. Amount: $452,000. Filed Aug. 27. Sogaard, Christina and Bharath T. Srikrishnan, Greenwich. Seller: Melissa Straub, Greenwich. Property: 40 Orchard Drive, Greenwich. Amount: $10. Filed Aug. 27. Spicer, Michelle G. and Erik J. Spicer, Bayside, New York. Seller: Peter Carriero and Gail Carriero, Stamford. Property: 81 Clover Hill Drive, Stamford. Amount: $507,000. Filed Aug. 28. Stannard, Kaitlin, Stamford. Seller: Annette R. Einhorn, Stamford. Property: 697 Cove Road, Unit 1F, Stamford. Amount: $190,000. Filed Sept. 5. Stevens, Barbara Griffith, Norwalk. Seller: Karin J. Owen, Playa Del Ray, California. Property: 70 Rowayton Woods Condominium, Norwalk. Amount: $30,000. Filed Aug. 28. Stout, Natalie and Christopher Wandelt, Fairfield. Seller: John A. Early III, Fairfield. Property: 68 Eunice Ave., Fairfield. Amount: $906,000. Filed Aug. 29.

Su, Yijin and Xiaoran Chen, Norwalk. Seller: Miluska Pinto, Norwalk. Property: 4 Van Zant St., Unit A5, Norwalk. Amount: $150,000. Filed Sept. 6. Tietze, Debra C. and Larry D. Tietze, Norwalk. Seller: William J. Kramer and Sandra Fisher, Norwalk. Property: 4 Daskams Lane, Unit 325, Norwalk. Amount: $387,500. Filed Sept. 11. Topper, Ann and Zachary Topper, Norwalk. Seller: Susan L. Galati, Westport. Property: 32 Otter Trail, Westport. Amount: $840,000. Filed Aug. 21. Tormondsen, Barbara A., Stamford. Seller: SLDR Associates LLC, Greenwich. Property: 77 Havemeyer Lane, Unit 17, Stamford. Amount: $1.3 million. Filed Aug. 29. Toro, Christopher Del and Ruth Rojas-Del Toro, Bridgeport. Seller: John Marus, Trumbull. Property: 1555 Madison Ave., Bridgeport. Amount: $257,000. Filed Aug. 28. Valdez, Dora and Hugo Avalos, Norwalk. Seller: Virginia A. Lamberti and Anthony D. Lamberti, Norwalk. Property: 7 Dry Hill Court, Norwalk. Amount: $341,408. Filed Aug. 23. Wade, Diane, New Rochelle, New York. Seller: Valentina U. Lionetti, Stamford. Property: Unit 30-C of Heatherwood Condominium, Stamford. Amount: $600,000. Filed Aug. 23. Weelden, Julie Morris Van and Berry Van Weelden, Stamford. Seller: Total Green Construction LLC, Fairfield. Property: 31 Lloyd Place, Fairfield. Amount: $765,000. Filed Aug. 28. Weng, Jia and Tianwei Ye, Stamford. Seller: Xiaofeng Wang, Stamford. Property: 27 Forest Mews, Stamford. Amount: $418,000. Filed Aug. 28. Wieneke, Jessica and Michael Wieneke, Greenwich. Seller: Tracy Hopkins, Greenwich. Property: 310 Bruce Park Ave., Unit 2, Greenwich. Amount: $500,000. Filed Aug. 28. Wright, Carol R. and Paul Wayne Wright, Stamford. Seller: Travis Wolf, Melania Fitzgerald and Andrew Lee, Stamford. Property: 44 Strawberry Hill Ave., Unit 11K, Stamford. Amount: $389,000. Filed Aug. 29.

FORECLOSURES Allen, Henry D., et al. Creditor: Beneficial Financial I Inc., San Diego, California. Property: 46 Taylor St., Unit 109, Stamford. Delinquent common charges. Filed Aug. 24. Chacho, Luis A., et al. Creditor: Ocwen Loan Servicing LLC, Coral Gables, Florida. Property: 13 Purcell Drive, Danbury. Mortgage default. Filed Aug. 20. Glick, Bonnie, et al. Creditor: The Bank of New York Mellon, New York, New York. Property: 161 Sunrise Hill Road, Unit 150, Norwalk. Mortgage default. Filed Aug. 24. Jaffe, Kevin, et al. Creditor: Everbank, Jacksonville, Florida. Property: 174 Walnut Tree Hill Road, Newtown. Mortgage default. Filed Aug. 20. Kostopoulos Sr., James, et al. Creditor: Federal National Mortgage Association, Dallas, Texas. Property: 18 Birch Rise Drive, Newtown. Mortgage default. Filed Aug. 21. Miller, Clara K., et al. Creditor: Bank of America N.A., Plano, Texas. Property: 48 Platts Hill Road, Newtown. Mortgage default. Filed Aug. 21. Mohs, William C., et al. Creditor: Deutsche Bank National Trust Co., West Palm Beach, Florida. Property: 30 Roxbury Lane, Unit 122, Bridgeport. Delinquent common charges. Filed Aug. 24. Munoz-Gonzalez, Alejandro, et al. Creditor: Ditech Financial LLC, Tampa, Florida. Property: 102 Summer St., Unit 1B, Stamford. Delinquent common charges. Filed Sept. 4. Nicholson, Oston M., et al. Creditor: HSBC Bank USA N.A., West Palm Beach, Florida. Property: 404-408 Park St., Bridgeport. Delinquent common charges. Filed Aug. 24. Prion, Alain H., et al. Creditor: U.S. Bank N.A., Irvine, California. Property: 33 Waterford Lane, Stamford. Mortgage default. Filed Aug. 27. Rott, Sheryll F., et al. Creditor: U.S. Bank N.A., Irvine, California. Property: 33 Equestrian Ridge, Newtown. Mortgage default. Filed Aug. 20. Sanabria, Reina, et al. Creditor: PHH Mortgage Corp., Mount Laurel, New Jersey. Property: 255 Rocton Ave., Bridgeport. Mortgage default. Filed Aug. 24.

Santiago, Jorge, et al. Creditor: Bank of America N.A., Plano, Texas. Property: 1207 Chopsey Hill Road, Bridgeport. Mortgage default. Filed Aug. 29. Santiago, Vikki, et al. Creditor: Wells Fargo Bank N.A., Fort Mill, South Carolina. Property: 80 Norland Ave., Bridgeport. Mortgage default. Filed Aug. 20. Schreiber, Michael A., et al. Creditor: Wells Fargo Bank N.A., Fort Mill, South Carolina. Property: 15 Silver Brook Road, Westport. Mortgage default. Filed Aug. 24. Solis, Rodolfo Mitre, et al. Creditor: Wells Fargo Bank N.A., Fort Mill, South Carolina. Property: 488 Queen St., Bridgeport. Mortgage default. Filed Aug. 31. Zimmerman, Jeffrey C., et al. Creditor: Wilmington Savings Fund Society, Irvine, California. Property: 22 Half Mile Club, Westport. Mortgage default. Filed Aug. 20.

JUDGMENTS Agosto, Raul, Bridgeport. $4,962 in favor of Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC, Norfolk, Virginia, by the Law Offices of Howard Lee Schiff PC, East Hartford. Property: 103 Hooker Road, Bridgeport. Filed Aug. 27. Alexis, Ginette, Danbury. $617 in favor of Western Connecticut Medical Group, Bethel, by Flanagan & Peat, Danbury. Property: 2 Ashley Court, Danbury. Filed Aug. 20. Allen, Mack Henry, Bridgeport. $7,765 in favor of Midland Funding LLC, San Diego, California, by the Law Offices of Howard Lee Schiff PC, East Hartford. Property: 374 Bunnell St., Bridgeport. Filed Aug. 23. Alvarez, Miguel, Bridgeport. $2,530 in favor of Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC, Norfolk, Virginia, by the Law Offices of Howard Lee Schiff PC, East Hartford. Property: 300 Hillcrest Road, Bridgeport. Filed Aug. 27. Bruno, Willene, et al., Bridgeport. $2,325 in favor of The Southern Connecticut Gas Co., Orange, by Nair & Levin PC, Bloomfield. Property: 69 Dover St., Bridgeport. Filed Aug. 27. Clark, Elyse, Newtown. $9,767 in favor of Guendelsberger Law Offices LLP, New Milford, by Robert J. Guendelsberger, New Milford. Property: Lot 2, Map 7072, Newtown. Filed Aug. 27.

Demosthene, Nirva, Bridgeport. $2,526 in favor of Cavalry SPV I LLC, Valhalla, New York, by Tobin Melien & Marohn, New Haven. Property: 128 Wilcox St., Bridgeport. Filed Aug. 28.

Zulli, Jennifer, Newtown. $5,101 in favor of Wragg Well Drilling & Pump Service LLC, Roxbury, by Randall Carreira, New Preston. Property: 31 Hawleyville Road, Newtown. Filed Aug. 29.

Lissauer, Jared, Greenwich. $14,106 in favor of Burning Tree Country Club Inc., Greenwich, by Mark Sank & Associates, Stamford. Property: 15 Londonderry Drive, Greenwich. Filed Aug. 23.

LEASES

Maddy, Toussaing, Bridgeport. $1,079 in favor of Midland Funding LLC, San Diego, California, by the Law Offices of Howard Lee Schiff PC, East Hartford. Property: 25 Ives Court, Bridgeport. Filed Aug. 23. Marcano, Luis, Bridgeport. $1,854 in favor of Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC, Norfolk, Virginia, by the Law Offices of Howard Lee Schiff PC, East Hartford. Property: 1715 Chopsey Hill Road, Bridgeport. Filed Aug. 27. Mardoian, Bryan, Bridgeport. $592 in favor of Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC, Norfolk, Virginia, by the Law Offices of Howard Lee Schiff PC, East Hartford. Property: 35 Concord St., Bridgeport. Filed Aug. 27. Mellad, Lloyd, et al., Norwalk. $4,557 in favor of Elsa Garcia, Norwalk, by Nathaniel W. Shipp. Property: Lot 119, Map 231, Norwalk. Filed Aug. 29. Perkins, Latonja, Bridgeport. $3,806 in favor of The Southern Connecticut Gas Co., Orange, by Nair & Levin PC, Bloomfield. Property: 415 Saunders Ave., Bridgeport. Filed Aug. 27. Salamone, Gary, Fairfield. $20,019 in favor of Absolute Resolutions Investments LLC, Bridgeport, by Cohen, Burns, Hard & Paul, West Hartford. Property: 25 Carlynn Drive, Fairfield. Filed Aug. 24. Spielman, William N., Norwalk. $0 in favor of Cavalry SPV I LLC, Valhalla, New York, by Tobin Melien & Marohn, New Haven. Property: 14 Mola Road, Norwalk. Filed Sept. 7. Violet, Brenda L., Norwalk. $1,847 in favor of Cavalry SPV I LLC, Valhalla, New York, by Tobin Melien & Marohn, New Haven. Property: 296 Main Ave., Norwalk. Filed Sept. 13. Zadravecz, James, Fairfield. $3,366 in favor of Synchrony Bank, Albany, New York, by Solomon and Solomon PC, Albany, New York. Property: 165 Partridge Lane, Fairfield. Filed Aug. 27.

FCBJ

Fuentes-Fuentes, Hector H., by self. Landlord: Success Village Apartments Inc., Bridgeport. Property: Building 17, Apt. 39 in Success Village Apartments, Bridgeport. Term: 36 years, commenced Aug. 16, 2018. Filed Aug. 21.

LIENS FEDERAL TAX LIENS-FILED Byrd, Eric L., 38 Russett Road, Newtown. $70,773, a tax debt on income earned. Filed Aug. 27. Corona, Miriam and Emilio Hernandez, 8 Neptune Ave., Norwalk. $5,590, a tax debt on income earned. Filed Aug. 28. Crow, John C., 47 Pepper Ridge Road, Stamford. $70,249, a tax debt on income earned. Filed Aug. 27. Esaw, Jeffery, 267 Fairfield Ave., Stamford. $10,576, a tax debt on income earned. Filed Sept. 7. Fox, Stacy K. and H. Andrew Fox, 151 Stanwich Road, Greenwich. $78,768, a tax debt on income earned. Filed Aug. 27. Gentile, Deborah, 137 Washington St., Apt. 203, Norwalk. $136,278, a tax debt on income earned. Filed Sept. 4. Jahncke, Robin D., 1 Juniper Hill Road, Greenwich. $45,172, a tax debt on income earned. Filed Aug. 21. Ketcher, Lisa A., P.O. Box 1364, Fairfield. $23,185, a tax debt on income earned. Filed Aug. 28. Knight, James A., 66 Glenbrook Road, Apt. 3415, Stamford. $63,911, a tax debt on income earned. Filed Sept. 5. Leek Building Products Inc., 205 A Wilson Ave., Norwalk. $3,664, payroll taxes and quarterly payroll taxes. Filed Sept. 4.

OCTOBER 1, 2018

Facts & Figures Majesta Beauty Salon LLC, 181 Main St., Norwalk. $14,153, payroll taxes and quarterly payroll taxes. Filed Aug. 27.

Jurac, Katherine S. and Marinko Jurac, 47 Bishop Drive South, Greenwich. $42,546, a tax debt on income earned. Filed Aug. 21.

McClusky Design Group, 82 Pinnacle Rock Road, Stamford. $22,480, failure to file correct information returns tax penalty and quarterly payroll taxes. Filed Aug. 28.

Kesler, Maureen M., 261 Ingleside Drive, Stamford. $31,205, a tax debt on income earned. Filed Aug. 27.

McCormick, Cathleen and Sean M. McCormick, 114 Brookmere Drive, Fairfield. $25,211, a tax debt on income earned. Filed Aug. 28. O’Hara, Elissa D. and Edward J. O’Hara, 3 Sasqua Road, Norwalk. $756,367, a tax debt on income earned. Filed Sept. 4. Perkins, Carrie S., 48 Lounsbury Road, Fairfield. $36,806, a tax debt on income earned. Filed Aug. 28. Rio Bravo of Norwalk Inc., 77 N. Main St., Norwalk. $12,024, quarterly payroll taxes. Filed Sept. 11. Robotti, Molly S. and Frank J. Robotti, 33 Amherst Place, Stamford. $33,489, a tax debt on income earned. Filed Aug. 27. Upchurch, Chantel M. and Mark Upchurch, 130 Brentwood Ave., Fairfield. $4,838, a tax debt on income earned. Filed Aug. 28.

FEDERAL TAX LIENSRELEASED Bien, Amy B., 82 Fawn Ridge Lane, Norwalk. $298,941, a tax debt on income earned. Filed Aug. 27. Blackburn-Lowry, R. and William Lowry, 3 Ledge Road, Greenwich. $145,116, a tax debt on income earned. Filed Aug. 29. Brank, William L., 19 Oak Ridge St., Greenwich. $28,162, a tax debt on income earned. Filed Aug. 21. Brown, Kyle, 1257 Jennings Road, Fairfield. $39,349, a tax debt on income earned. Filed Aug. 28. Charron, Thomas J., 36 South St., Fairfield. $94,699, a tax debt on income earned. Filed Aug. 24. Flayhan, Jacqueline and David A. Flayhan, 8 Blackstone Drive, Norwalk. $30,330, a tax debt on income earned. Filed Aug. 27. Flores, Erika M. and Andy L. Robles, 17 Limerick St., Apt. 2, Stamford. $47,263, a tax debt on income earned. Filed Aug. 27.

OCTOBER 1, 2018

McCullough, William J., 1100 Summer St., Stamford. $111,660, a tax debt on income earned. Filed Sept. 5. McGibbon, Annette and Andrew J. McGibbon, 110 Farmstead Hill Ave., Fairfield. $75,355, a tax debt on income earned. Filed Aug. 28. McGibbon, Annette and Andrew J. McGibbon, 110 Farmstead Hill Ave., Fairfield. $16,788, a tax debt on income earned. Filed Aug. 28. Mesaric, Jennifer and John L. Whittle, P.O. Box 333, Newtown. $14,042, a tax debt on income earned. Filed Aug. 27. Neschis, Jonathan A., 30 Ledgewood Drive, Norwalk. $63,881, a tax debt on income earned. Filed Aug. 21. Tsionis, Dimitra and George V. Tsionis, 16 Country Club Road, Norwalk. $51,545, a tax debt on income earned. Filed Aug. 21. Whittle, John, P.O. Box 333, Newtown. $50,515, a tax debt on income earned. Filed Aug. 27. Whittle, John, P.O. Box 333, Newtown. $10,187, a tax debt on income earned. Filed Aug. 27. Wilco Life Insurance Co., 20 Glover Ave., Norwalk. $56,695, a tax debt on income earned. Filed Sept. 4.

MECHANIC’S LIENS-FILED 550 River View LLC, Greenwich. Filed by Tri-County Electric LLC, Bethel, by Brian McCarthy. Property: 552 River Road, Lots 1, Greenwich. Amount: $18,234. Filed Aug. 20. Armstrong, Elmwood and Damaris Amstrong, Stamford. Filed by Petrucci Painting LLC, Norwalk, by Michael Petrucci. Property: 61 Dogwood Court, Stamford. Amount: $58,368. Filed Sept. 6. Helikon Services Inc., Greenwich. Filed by Number 550 Riverview LLC, by William A. Pelletreau LLC, Norwalk. Property: 552 River Road, Lots 5 and 6, Greenwich. Amount: $5,995. Filed Aug. 31.

FCBJ

Helikon Services Inc., Greenwich. Filed by Number 550 Riverview LLC, by William A. Pelletreau LLC, Norwalk. Property: 552 River Road, Lots 3 and 4, Greenwich. Amount: $1,625. Filed Aug. 31. Major, Linda and Alfred Major, Greenwich. Filed by JM Construction Services LLC, Danbury, by Julio Matias. Property: 19 Hobart Ave., Greenwich. Amount: $59,790. Filed Aug. 27. Matrix Norwalk LLC, Norwalk. Filed by Blue Dragon Connections LLC, Stormville, New York, by Bonnie Zarzeka. Property: 535 Connecticut Ave., Norwalk. Amount: $5,563. Filed Aug. 28.

LIS PENDENS 396 Salem Street LLC, et al., Bridgeport. Filed by The Law Office of Juda J. Epstein, Bridgeport, for Cazenovia Creek Funding I LLC. Property: 396 Salem St., Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose on tax liens levied by the city of Bridgeport and obtain possession of the liened premises. Filed Aug. 24. Atlantic Realty Co., et al., Stamford. Filed by The Law Office of John R. Harness PC, Stamford, for Atlantic Street Heritage Associates LLC. Property: 184 Atlantic St., Stamford. Action: to claim an interest in certain real property easements. Filed Aug. 29. Barnes, Prince Ernol, et al., Bridgeport. Filed by Bendett and McHugh PC, Farmington, for Wells Fargo Bank N.A., Frederick, Maryland. Property: 20 Hillhouse Ave., Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose on a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $126,704, dated July 2011. Filed Aug. 29. Boyce, Jarrod, et al., Shelton. Filed by Bendett and McHugh PC, Farmington, for Wells Fargo Bank N.A., Frederick, Maryland. Property: 33 Sunset Drive, Shelton. Action: to foreclose on a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $243,662, dated November 2011. Filed Aug. 24. Carey, James N., et al., Bridgeport. Filed by McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce LLC, Hartford, for Total Mortgage Services LLC. Property: 160 Ortega Ave., Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose on a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $211,105, dated October 2017. Filed Aug. 28. Chinyumba, Maurice M., et al., Bridgeport. Filed by Bendett and McHugh PC, Farmington, for Pennymac Loan Servicing LLC, Coral Gables, Florida. Property: 862 Thorme St., Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose on a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $194,457, dated September 2008. Filed Aug. 27.

Coco Management Inc., et al., Bridgeport. Filed by The Law Office of Juda J. Epstein, Bridgeport, for Cazenovia Creek Funding I LLC. Property: 321 Remington St., Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose on tax liens levied by the city of Bridgeport and obtain possession of the liened premises. Filed Aug. 24.

Hancock Avenue Partners LLC, et al., Bridgeport. Filed by The Law Office of Juda J. Epstein, Bridgeport, for Cazenovia Creek Funding I LLC. Property: 72 Cherry St., Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose on tax liens levied by the city of Bridgeport and obtain possession of the liened premises. Filed Aug. 24.

Josko, Davina, et al., Fairfield. Filed by Bendett and McHugh PC, Farmington, for MB Financial Bank N.A. Property: 240 Sasapequan Road, Fairfield. Action: to foreclose on a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $200,000, dated April 2013. Filed Aug. 23.

Cusa, Whitney L., et al., Salt Lake City, Utah. Filed by Glass & Braus LLC, Fairfield, for The Bank of New York Mellon, New York, New York. Property: 7 Woodside Lane, New Canaan. Action: to foreclose on a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $445,000, dated January 2018. Filed Aug. 28.

Holmberg, Dwight A., et al., Fairfield. Filed by McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce LLC, Hartford, for JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. Property: 128 Sasco Hill Road, Fairfield. Action: to foreclose on a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $1.3 million, dated September 2006. Filed Aug. 24.

Lambert, Fitzroy A., et al., Stamford. Filed by Ackerly & Ward, Stamford, for Wellington Manor Association Inc. Property: Unit 7 of Wellington Manor Condominium, Stamford. Action: to foreclose on a condominium lien for delinquent common charges and assessments and take immediate possession of the premises. Filed Aug. 23.

Delgado, Cruz A., et al., Bridgeport. Filed by The Law Office of Juda J. Epstein, Bridgeport, for Benchmark Municipal Tax Services Ltd., Bridgeport. Property: 1129 Howard Ave., Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose on tax liens levied by the city of Bridgeport and obtain possession of the liened premises. Filed Aug. 31.

Jablecki, Pauline, et al., Shelton. Filed by The Witherspoon Law Offices, Farmington, for U.S. Bank N.A., Salt Lake City, Utah. Property: 20 Saginaw Trail, Shelton. Action: to foreclose on a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $300,000, dated May 2006. Filed Aug. 24.

Demattia, Jennifer C., Stamford. Filed by Fidelity National Law Group, Shelton, for Bank of America N.A., Charlotte, North Carolina. Property: 44 Flint Rock Road, Stamford. Action: to foreclose on a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $465,112, dated September 2016. Filed Aug. 28.

Jafri, Raza H., et al., Stamford. Filed by Ackerly & Ward, Stamford, for Third Fairlawn Condominium Inc., Stamford. Property: Unit 13-A-2 in Third Fairlawn Condominium, Stamford. Action: to foreclose on a condominium lien for delinquent common charges and assessments and take immediate possession of the premises. Filed Sept. 12.

Dequattro, Paul, et al., Fairfield. Filed by Bendett and McHugh PC, Farmington, for Wells Fargo Bank N.A., Frederick, Maryland. Property: 2836 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield. Action: to foreclose on a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $200,000, dated March 2004. Filed Aug. 29.

Johnson, Karen Donna, et al., Bridgeport. Filed by McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce LLC, Hartford, for U.S. Bank N.A., Salt Lake City, Utah. Property: 1054 State St., Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose on a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $96,670, dated October 2012. Filed Aug. 28.

DiLorenzo, Frank L., et al., Fairfield. Filed by Bendett and McHugh PC, Farmington, for Wells Fargo Bank N.A., Frederick, Maryland. Property: 2687 Easton Turnpike, Fairfield. Action: to foreclose on a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $363,110, dated October 2010. Filed Aug. 29.

Johnson, Kelvin O., et al., Bridgeport. Filed by Bendett and McHugh PC, Farmington, for U.S. Bank N.A., Salt Lake City, Utah. Property: 175 Eaton St., Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose on a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $169,500, dated December 2004. Filed Aug. 27.

Fairfield County Carting LLC, et al., Bridgeport. Filed by The Law Office of Juda J. Epstein, Bridgeport, for Benchmark Municipal Tax Services Ltd., Bridgeport. Property: 2115 Seaview Ave., Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose on tax liens levied by the city of Bridgeport and obtain possession of the liened premises. Filed Aug. 24. Green, Michael P., et al., Newtown. Filed by O’Connell, Attmore & Morris LLC, Hartford, for Bayview Loan Servicing LLC, Coral Gables, Florida. Property: 22 Tunnel Road, Newtown. Action: to foreclose on a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $284,000, dated July 2003. Filed Aug. 20.

Lazarte, Brigette D., et al., Stamford. Filed by Kapusta, Otzel & Averaimo, Milford, for Deutsche Bank National Trust Co., Salt Lake City, Utah. Property: 111 Lafayette St., Stamford. Action: to foreclose on a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $632,000, dated February 2006. Filed Aug. 30. Lewis, Mark, et al., Bridgeport. Filed by Bendett and McHugh PC, Farmington, for Ditech Financial LLC. Property: 49 Greenwood St., Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose on a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $129,000, dated July 2003. Filed Aug. 28. Lijofi, John O., et al., Bridgeport. Filed by Bendett and McHugh PC, Farmington, for Sun West Mortgage Company Inc. Property: 715 Burnsford Ave., Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose on a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $206,953, dated March 2015. Filed Aug. 29. Moyle, Matthew, et al., Newtown. Filed by McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce LLC, Hartford, for Enterprise Bank of South Carolina, Walterboro, South Carolina. Property: 5 Bentagrass Lane, Newtown. Action: to foreclose on a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $804,000, dated May 2011. Filed Aug. 29.

Senior Treaty Underwriter (General Reinsurance Corporation; Stamford, CT) Property treaty underwriting for Global & North American accounts, including portfolio & exposure analysis, pricing, wording review, implementation of underwriting guidelines & profitability. Provide treaty solutions, support marketing team deliveries of value-added services to the clients, and identify profitable business in mature and emerging markets. Requirements: Master’s degree, or foreign equivalent, in Risk Management, Actuarial Science, Mathematics or a related field plus 2 years of underwriting experience within the insurance & reinsurance industry. Apply referencing Job Code: KBOEYTEST14272-7, Attention: Linda Dalesio, Human Resources, General Reinsurance Corporation, 120 Long Ridge Road, Stamford CT 06902.

Facts & Figures Nelson, Norman G., et al., Bridgeport. Filed by Bendett and McHugh PC, Farmington, for Ditech Financial LLC. Property: 708-710 Capitol Ave., Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose on a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $223,735, dated March 2013. Filed Aug. 29.

Sore, Robert W., et al., Newtown. Filed by McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce LLC, Hartford, for U.S. Bank N.A., Salt Lake City, Utah. Property: 2 Kent Road, Newtown. Action: to foreclose on a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $575,000, dated April 2004. Filed Aug. 24.

Nyberg, Michael K., et al., Stamford. Filed by Rosenberg & Rosenberg PC, West Hartford, for Redstone Manor Condominium Association Inc., Stamford. Property: 39 Glenbrook Road, Unit 2Z, Stamford. Action: to foreclose on a condominium lien for delinquent common charges and assessments and take immediate possession of the premises. Filed Aug. 24.

Taylor, Stephanie, et al., Bridgeport. Filed by Bendett and McHugh PC, Farmington, for Deutsche Bank National Trust Co., Salt Lake City, Utah. Property: 177 Little Deer Road, Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose on a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $214,400, dated September 2005. Filed Aug. 29.

Reed, Michael M., et al., Fairfield. Filed by Bendett and McHugh PC, Farmington, for JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. Property: 621 Center St., Fairfield. Action: to foreclose on a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $447,300, dated August 2007. Filed Aug. 27. Reyes, Pedro IV, et al., Bridgeport. Filed by The Law Office of Juda J. Epstein, Bridgeport, for Benchmark Municipal Tax Services Ltd., Bridgeport. Property: 70-74 Smith St., Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose on tax liens levied by the city of Bridgeport and obtain possession of the liened premises. Filed Aug. 24. Ritchie, Debra J., et al., Stamford. Filed by Bendett and McHugh PC, Farmington, for Bank of America N.A., Charlotte, North Carolina. Property: 1166 Hope St., Stamford. Action: to foreclose on a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $76,000, dated May 2003. Filed Sept. 4. Samuels, Mervin L., et al., Stamford. Filed by Bendett and McHugh PC, Farmington, for U.S. Bank N.A., Salt Lake City, Utah. Property: 25 Forest St., Unit 12B, Stamford. Action: to foreclose on a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $452,000, dated August 2006. Filed Aug. 28. Shepherd, Linval, et al., Bridgeport. Filed by The Law Office of Juda J. Epstein, Bridgeport, for Benchmark Municipal Tax Services Ltd., Bridgeport. Property: 493 Connecticut Ave., Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose on tax liens levied by the city of Bridgeport and obtain possession of the liened premises. Filed Aug. 24. Simpson, Tasha M., et al., Bridgeport. Filed by Cicchetti Tansley & McGrath LLP, Waterbury, for Idaho Housing and Finance Association. Property: 183 Kennedy Drive, Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose on a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $127,200, dated August 2009. Filed Aug. 31.

Yamin, Catherine E., Newtown. Filed by Bendett and McHugh PC, Farmington, for Bank of America N.A., Charlotte, North Carolina. Property: 38 Black Bridge Road, Newtown. Action: to foreclose on a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $112,000, dated October 2004. Filed Aug. 20. Young, Sharon D., et al., Bridgeport. Filed by The Law Office of Juda J. Epstein, Bridgeport, for Benchmark Municipal Tax Services Ltd., Bridgeport. Property: 393 Laurel Ave., Unit 207, Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose on tax liens levied by the city of Bridgeport and obtain possession of the liened premises. Filed Aug. 31.

MORTGAGES 154 Euclid Ave Fairfield LLC, Easton, by William J. Neary. Lender: DAC Retail LLC, Dallas, Texas. Property: 154 Euclid Ave., Fairfield. Amount: $364,000. Filed Aug. 24. 492 Penfield Road LLC, Fairfield, by John P. Salerno. Lender: Fairfield County Bank, Ridgefield. Property: 492 Penfield Road, Fairfield. Amount: $856,000. Filed Aug. 28. 960 Hope LLC, Stamford, by Lawrence R. Giannattasio. Lender: Savings Bank of Danbury, Danbury. Property: 960 Hope St., Stamford. Amount: $2 million. Filed Aug. 29. Bridge House Inc., Bridgeport, by Mary Ellen McGuire. Lender: People’s United Bank N.A., Bridgeport. Property: 880 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport. Amount: $50,000. Filed Aug. 28. CT Foreclosure Signs LLC, Stamford, by Ermina Bojadzic. Lender: Silver Heights Development LLC, Westport. Property: 39 Sylvan Knoll Road, Stamford. Amount: $400,000. Filed Aug. 31. Ethan Properties LLC, Springfield, Virginia, by Avi Ron. Lender: Roger Ours and Barbara Ours, Fairfax Station, Virginia. Property: 33 Ponus Ave., Norwalk. Amount: $210,000. Filed Aug. 31.

Florgen LLC, Stamford, by Florjan Shehaj. Lender: Fairfield County Bank, Ridgefield. Property: 73 Willowbrook Ave., Stamford. Amount: $506,250. Filed Sept. 4. Fredward LLC, Greenwich, by Albert A. Brayson III. Lender: Webster Bank N.A., Waterbury. Property: 149, 153, 155 and 159 Frederick St. and 144, 150 and 160 Wardwell St., Stamford. Amount: $3.2 million. Filed Sept. 4. Hanover Norwalk Investors LLC, Greenwich, by Reed A. Miller. Lender: Signature Bank, Melville, New York. Property: 535 Connecticut Ave., Norwalk. Amount: $11.4 million. Filed Sept. 13. Master LLC, Bridgeport, by Ender Kamaci. Lender: TD Bank N.A., Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Property: 624 E. Main St., Bridgeport. Amount: $344,000. Filed Aug. 29. Property Winfield LLC, by Ashok Chachra. Lender: First Republic Bank, San Francisco, California. Property: Lot 17, Map 13850, Norwalk. Amount: $1.3 million. Filed Aug. 29. Ramp LLC, Fairfield, by Rahul Chakravertty. Lender: New England Certified Development Corp., Wakefield, Massachusetts. Property: 34 Post Road, Fairfield. Amount: $435,000. Filed Aug. 23.

Elderhouse Adult Day Center, 7 Lewis St., Norwalk 06851, c/o Denise L. Cesareo. Filed Aug. 27. Elderhouse Adult Day Services, 7 Lewis St., Norwalk 06851, c/o Denise L. Cesareo. Filed Aug. 27. Elderhouse Inc., 7 Lewis St., Norwalk 06851, c/o Denise L. Cesareo. Filed Aug. 27. James D’Alesandro, 90 S. Main St., Newtown 06470, c/o James D’Alessandro. Filed Aug. 21. Kariamu Drum and Dance, 2 Waterbury Lane, Danbury 06811, c/o Aseamenra B. Kariamu. Filed Aug. 23. L.A. Home Improvement, 18 Avenue B, Norwalk 06854, c/o Kevin Emilio and Aviles Lopez. Filed Sept. 7. Molly’s Closet Treasures, 1 Botsford Hill Road, Botsford 06404, c/o Kathryn Zaharek. Filed Aug. 30. P&C LLC, 11 Hedge Meadow Lane, Newtown 06470, c/o Cara Marie Formisano. Filed Aug. 24.

Peace of Mind Consultants, 1 Smith St., Apt. 405-B, Norwalk 06850, c/o Michelle Sawyer. Filed Sept. 6. Pepe’s Landscaping, 159 Pennsylvania Ave., Bridgeport 06610, c/o Jose I. Alfaro. Filed Aug. 28. Putnam Refuse & Recycling, 65 Valley Road, Greenwich 06807, c/o James R. Santaguida. Filed Aug. 31. Rocco Capalbo Refuse, 65 Valley Road, Greenwich 06807, c/o James R. Santaguida. Filed Aug. 31. S.T.E.M. Group, 30 Sunset Ave., Trumbull 06611, c/o Leslie Davis Green. Filed Aug. 31. Satyr, 3 Simm Lane, Newtown 06470, c/o David Finn. Filed Aug. 27. Servigiros Express CT LLC, 172 Main St., Norwalk 06851, c/o Irene S. Samaniego Tapia. Filed Aug. 30. Servigiros Express CT, 172 Main St., Norwalk 06851, c/o Irene S. Samaniego Tapia. Filed Aug. 31.

Tala Hair Studio LLC, 865 River Road, Suite 301, Shelton 06484, c/o Tara Zayas. Filed Aug. 23. Technocel LLC, 80 Main St., Norwalk 06851, c/o Santiago Daniel Morocho. Filed Sept. 7. That Girl Construction Inc., 29 Punch Bowl Drive, Westport 06880, c/o Jennifer Ann Gilbert. Filed Aug. 31.

PATENTS Polydiphenylsiloxane coating formulation and method for forming a coating. Patent no. 10,081,739 issued to Brynn Dooley, Toronto, Canada. Assigned to Xerox Corp., Norwalk. System and method for image-specific illumination of image printed on optical waveguide. Patent no. 10,082,460 issued to Chu-Heng Liu, Penfield, New York; and David C. Craig, Pittsford, New York. Assigned to Xerox Corp., Norwalk.

The Italian Center of Stamford Inc., Stamford, by Carmine V. Longo Jr. Lender: The First Bank of Greenwich, Greenwich. Property: 1620 Newfield Ave., Stamford. Amount: $5 million. Filed Aug. 31.

NEW BUSINESSES Big Joe’s Car Service, 148 E. Elm St., Greenwich 06830, c/o Joseph Dumas. Filed Aug. 27. BMHS PTSA, 300 Highland Ave., Norwalk 06851, c/o Sarah M. Duddy. Filed Aug. 29. Borba Construction, 3090 Reservoir Ave., Trumbull 06611, c/o Patricia D. Borba. Filed Aug. 27. Brother’s Supermarket LLC, 500 Park Ave., Bridgeport 06604, c/o Jose A. Quera. Filed Aug. 27. Carbonfoot Medical, 26 Sterling Drive, Westport 06880, c/o Gregory Zola. Filed Aug. 23. Clean Green Landscaping, 42 Oak Ridge Gate, Danbury 06810, c/o Jose Salazar. Filed Aug. 23.

FCBJ

OCTOBER 1, 2018

Your advisor’s

should never be in question.

What if your advisor’s firm isn’t designed to operate in your best interest?

“Fiduciary” is a popular term these days, but it’s not new to us. Our firm was founded on the principle of providing advice in the best interest of our clients. To make your most complex wealth decisions in these uncertain times, it’s critical to partner with someone whose interests are aligned with yours. For advice you can trust, rely on us. For a deeper understanding of the benefits of a fiduciary advisor, call Sharon Klein and her team at 212.415.0547. Download our white paper Is Your Advisor Putting Your Best Interest First? at wilmingtontrust.com/fiduciary.

W E A LT H P L A N N I N G | T R U S T A N D E S TAT E S E R V I C E S | I N V E S T M E N T M A N AG E M E N T | P R I VAT E B A N K I N G

Private Banking is the marketing name for an offering of M&T Bank deposit and loan products and services. Investments: • Are NOT FDIC Insured • Have NO Bank Guarantee • May Lose Value Wilmington Trust is a registered service mark. Wilmington Trust Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of M&T Bank Corporation. Wilmington Trust Company, operating in Delaware only, Wilmington Trust, N.A., M&T Bank, and certain other affiliates provide various fiduciary and non-fiduciary services, including trustee, custodial, agency, investment management, and other services. International corporate and institutional services are offered through Wilmington Trust Corporation’s international affiliates. Wilmington Trust Investment Advisors, Inc., a subsidiary of M&T Bank, is an SEC-registered investment advisor providing investment management services to Wilmington Trust and M&T affiliates and clients. Loans, credit cards, retail and business deposits, and other business and personal banking services and products are offered by M&T Bank, member FDIC. ©2018 Wilmington Trust Corporation and its affiliates. All rights reserved.

17200 Fiduciary Print Ad | Commercial Observer Live 9.5” x 11” / Trim 10.5” x 12” / Bleed 11”x 12.5”