Fairfield Business Journal 120219

PRINT JOURNALISM: BECAUSE IT STILL MATTERS. DECEMBER 2, 2019 VOL. 55, No. 48

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Tolls for trucks?

INSIDE PAGE

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WORKPLACE HARASSMENT

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MILLENNIALS HONORED

IS THE TIME RIGHT FOR TIKTOK MARKETING?

FASANO SAYS DEMOCRATS WILL EVENTUALLY INCLUDE TOLLS FOR ALL VEHICLES

BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN kzimmerman@westfairinc.com

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ov. Ned Lamont and Connecticut’s Democrat lawmakers decided to join forces behind a trucks-only toll system, much to the dismay of state Republicans.

Senate Democrats had rejected the tolls portion of Lamont’s 10-year, $21 billion CT2030 transportation plan, which would have installed

14 gantries around the state, partly due to fears that approving tolls could cost them in next fall’s election.

House Democrats then made their own proposal, which would install toll gantries for trucks only at 12 locations. Those include a gantry on a 1.4-mile stretch of I-684 that runs through Greenwich — but does not include a Greenwich exit — resulting in opposition from New York commuters and lawmakers who would be

primarily impacted.

Support for the truck-tolling plan came after a Nov. 26 meeting at the capitol.

Senate President Pro Tem Martin Looney, who had led the opposition to CT2030’s toll component, said the plan now is to push tolls through via a special legislative session.

“We need to get this done now,” he said. “We don’t want the issue to drag into the 2020 session. We think we have momentum on that issue and the time to move is now.”

Lacking much more in the way of details, that plan is already a target of expected criticism from the grassroots No Tolls CT group and the Motor Transport Association of Connecticut (MTAC). » TOLLS

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BY PHIL HALL phall@westfairinc.com

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or those who consider social media marketing as being limited to Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, there is another platform whose potential is quickly being appreciated: TikTok, a Chinesedeveloped app that has become a phenomenon across 150 countries.

And while TikTok has become the next important channel for many B2C campaigns, marketing experts are watching its ongoing evolution to determine whether B2B promotions will soon find a place in its digital orbit.

TikTok began its life in China in September 2016 as Douyin, an app that enabled

users to create music and lip-sync videos running between three and 15 seconds and looping videos running between three and 60 seconds. The app was developed by ByteDance, a Beijing-headquartered company, and provided exclusively within China.

Douyin was wildly popular and racked up more than 100 million users within its first year.

However, Douyin was subject to Chinese censorship restrictions on content, so ByteDance created TikTok as an international edition of the app and made it available beginning September 2017. Two months later, ByteDance acquired the Chinese app Music.ly for $1 billion, merging its user base with » TIKTOK

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Suite Talk Scott Gilbert’s journey: From Goldman Sachs to Black Bridge Motors

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hen you walk into the repair shop at Norwalk’s Black Bridge Motors, it is easy to be impressed by the variety of classic cars and trucks that are undergoing work. However, these vehicles represent a distinctive blend of oldschool cool and cutting-edge digital systems. According to owner Scott Gilbert, “You get the best of the aesthetic automotive design with modern technology.”

In this edition of Suite Talk, Business Journal Senior Enterprise Editor Phil Hall looks under the hood at Gilbert’s unique approach to auto repair.

What are the vehicles that come into Black Bridge Motors and what becomes of them while they are here?

“Every project in here is from the 1950s to the 1980s. Everything we are doing to these machines is to make them more safe and more capable by bringing modern technology into these old cars and trucks. It has to do with increasing the experience of the driver.

Engines get replaced with modern technology. There are no fuses in that car — it is all solid-state junction boxes.

“Everything here is geared to what you would have in a modern car today, but packaged to look seamless in an older vehicle. At the end of the day, you will have a much more broad experience with these cars and trucks because you would use them like any car.”

How did the idea for the business come about?

“One of the things that led me down the path was recognizing the area was a bit devoid of a properly focused solution center for cars and trucks. I started this three-anda-half years ago on paper and in this capacity two years ago. It took a little bit of planning, a little bit of luck. But as with any business, the key is finding the right talent and the right help. I am only one person and I can only do so much.”

Is it correct to say that this is very different from what you were previously doing?

“I was at Goldman Sachs for 10 years. I started in sales and train-

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MAIN OFFICE TELEPHONE 914-694-3600 OFFICE FAX 914-694-3699 EDITORIAL EMAIL bobr@westfairinc.com WRITE TO 701 Westchester Avenue, Suite 100 J White Plains, N.Y. 10604

Publisher Dee DelBello Managing Editor/Print Glenn J. Kalinoski Managing Editor/Digital Bob Rozycki Associate Publisher Anne Jordan Group Associate Publisher Dan Viteri NEWS Bureau Chief • Kevin Zimmerman Senior Enterprise Editor • Phil Hall Copy and Video Editor • Peter Katz Senior Reporter • Bill Heltzel, Reporters • Georgette Gouveia, Mary Shustack Research Coordinator • Luis Flores ART & PRODUCTION Creative Director Dan Viteri Art Director Sebastián Flores, Kelsie Mania, Fatime Muriqi

Scott Gilbert, owner of Black Bridge Motors.

Photo by Phil Hall.

ing, then moved over to asset management. I left in 2016 to start this.”

cars — they don’t lend themselves to modernization that well.”

How does your business work?

“There are two approaches: either we fix an existing vehicle, or we work from an idea or concept to develop, find the car and build to specifications.

“A lot of this industry is about dropping a car off and you don’t see it for years. We operate much differently. We work on between 15 to 50 cars in a month, depending on what they are in for. For the biggest builds, what some places would quote you in years we can quote you in months.”

Do you have a dream car that you would like to work on?

“My dream car would be the Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa. I think it’s an absolutely beautiful car.

Unfortunately, you can’t touch those. But we are less about specializing in a particular brand or make and more about specializing in the solutions we offer for these cars.”

What do you charge for your services?

“A proper solution can range anywhere from $5,000 for basic maintenance all the way up to $350,000 for a full rebuild.”

What is the oldest vehicle you’ve worked with?

“The oldest is a 1948 Jeep CJ. We don’t see too many ‘brass era’

How do you promote the business?

“The business lends itself to word-of-mouth marketing. You need to have that word-of-mouth recommendation given the amount of money this industry commands.

It is an expensive ticket. Our clients are mostly from within a 30-mile radius, although we’ve had some come in from California and Nevada.”

You are also working with the Norwalk public school system on vocational training. Can you tell us more about that?

“There is a shortage in talented skill sets and different levels of capabilities for different people. Not everybody has to go through a four-year education to become a doctor, a lawyer or a banker. I think people can be valuable doing other things.

“We want to take a thoughtful approach to the typical vocational school. We recognize that to work well with your hands, you have to have a very solid foundation and be academic. If you understand how the machine works, you can understand how to fix it and to make it better.

We conducted a pilot program over the summer with the Norwalk schools and next year we plan to start an internship-based program. We had 65 students apply this year and accepted 15. We wanted to make sure kids were here for the right reasons: not because they can, but because they wanted to. And we wound up hiring four from over the summer.”

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A MEMBER OF

Nine companies sue to stop JPR Mechanical owner from dodging $9M in debts

BY BILL HELTZEL bheltzel@westfairinc.com

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ight up to the end, Westport, Connecticut, businessman Timothy Schmidt was taking millions of dollars in cash advances for JPR Mechanical Inc., on assurances that his New Rochelle HVAC company was financially healthy.

But within weeks, on Aug. 16, JPR and two affiliates filed for Chapter 7 liquidation.

Schmidt and his wife, Dina, simultaneously petitioned for Chapter 11 reorganization in federal bankruptcy court in White Plains.

Now, nine businesses are suing to stop Schmidt, as sole owner of JPR Mechanical, from discharging nearly $9 million in debts.

The complaints, filed as adversary proceedings in bankruptcy court, include accusations that he diverted trust fund monies, disregarded his fiduciary duty, committed fraud, failed to preserve financial records, made false representations and committed embezzlement and larceny.

Schmidt’s bankrupt-

cy attorney, Dawn Kirby of Scarsdale, did not respond to an email request for comment.

JPR Mechanical was a major player in heating and air conditioning subcontracts throughout New York City, including the LaGuardia Airport terminal renovations, Hudson Yards, Long Island Railroad concourse, Cornell Graduate Hotel, Moynihan Train Hall, the Mount Sinai neonatal intensive care unit, NYU Lutheran Cancer Center, Resorts World Casino in Queens, Tammany Hall and more.

Schmidt went to work for JPR Mechanical in 2001 as an assistant project coordinator and he quickly rose through the ranks and ultimately became the sole owner. By the end of last year, according to an affidavit he filed in September, revenue had reached $120 million and he employed more than 500 workers.

But his company’s explosive growth and poorly designed projects “led JPR to financial hardship,” he said.

He blamed the LaGuardia Airport project in particular, citing a construction schedule

that compressed the work to 18 months from 31, and required him to triple manpower and spend more on sheet metal fabrication and equipment.

“These challenges at the LaGuardia project made JPR perform inefficiently while eroding profits on all projects companywide,” he stated in the affidavit.

By April, he began taking bridge loans, “in a desperate effort to keep JPR going while I worked diligently to raise a significant capital loan.”

He found a company willing to lend $35 million, but by mid-August, before the loan could close, his accounts were at a deficit. He filed for bankruptcy “for fear of not being able to make payroll,” according to his affidavit.

JPR Mechanical had assets of $47.7 million and liabilities of nearly $23 million, according to a bankruptcy schedule.

Three lenders that made cash advances describe events differently.

Libertas Funding LLC of Greenwich, Connecticut, claims that Schmidt portrayed JPR as healthy in April.

He predicted $120 million

in revenue this year and he made assurances that the company was not insolvent or contemplating bankruptcy.

Libertas Funding advanced $2 million in exchange for nearly $2.6 million in accounts receivable.

On July 3, Libertas advanced another $500,000 for $695,000 in future receipts.

Libertas claims that “Schmidt willfully and maliciously provided false and misleading information.”

On June 27, TVT 2.0 of New York City paid $1 million for nearly $1.4 million in future receipts. Schmidt had allegedly presented a personal financial statement showing a net worth of $17.2 million, according to the complaint, and personally guaranteed the deal.

On July 26, Radium2 Capital LLC of Uniondale bought $1.3 million in future receipts for a price undisclosed in its complaint.

Three days later, Radium2 was unable to gain access to funds it was entitled to in the accounts receivable bank account.

Schmidt, the company alleges, “either provided false

bank account information … or immediately closed the bank account after obtaining the funds.”

Fidelity and Deposit Co. of Maryland may have the greatest exposure. It issued $193 million in performance bonds on behalf of JPR for 19 construction projects, requiring Fidelity to make payments to JPR’s subcontractors.

“JPR surreptitiously shut its doors on Aug. 16, 2019,” its complaint states, “leaving the bonded projects incomplete.”

Fidelity said it has received millions of dollars in payment bond claims but did not provide a total.

Schmidt, the surety company claims, diverted trust fund assets to pay “his own salary and personal expenses.”

Five suppliers also filed complaints, including: A.D.E. Systems Inc. of Nassau County, for $1.2 million; Delta Connects Inc. of Monroe, New Jersey, $346,000; Hailey Insulation Corp. of Suffolk County, $717,000; International Asbestos Removal of Babylon, Long Island, $736,000; and S.W. Anderson Sales Corp. of Farmingdale, Long Island,

$347,000.

Schmidt and his wife declared nearly $4.2 million in assets and $50.7 million in liabilities in their Chapter 11 case. Assets include a $2.25 million house in Westport, a house and a condominium in Norwalk valued at $500,000 and a 2006 Viking Convertible power boat listed at $799,000. Among their debts is a $2.19 million IRS claim.

Schmidt states in his affidavit that the Chapter 11 petition was filed “so that we can have the opportunity to stabilize our personal life … and formulate a plan of reorganization. We believe our primary residence and boat may generate approximately $1.5 million for the benefit of creditors. We plan to downsize, cut expenses, get new jobs and do our best to pay creditors and start over.”

Schmidt did not mention by name in his affidavit any of his cash advance lenders or suppliers, but he expressed regret for the impact of the company closing on his extended family and workers.

“It tears me apart and my wife apart to leave them in this way,” he stated.

Westfair to select Businessperson of the Year winners

BY PHIL HALL phall@westfairinc.com

W estfair

Communications will announce its inaugural Businessperson of the Year winners before the end of 2019 in the Fairfield County Business Journal and Westchester County Business Journal.

The editors of the two weekly newspapers will make their selections from the ranks of the companies and nonprofits in both counties. Those chosen will be honored for their exemplary leadership skills and forging bold and industry-shaping reputations for both themselves

and their organizations.

They will be celebrated for their ability to inspire and develop ahead-of-the-curve innovations while building a strong marketing brand that contributes to bottom-line success.

Winners will also be recognized for their role in the wider community as a positive force in social responsibility which reinforces the importance of an organization that is a holistic and integral neighbor in the region.

“The Fairfield County and Westchester markets are rich with amazing men and women who have shaped the local and nation-

al economy with their thought leadership, their emotional passion and their ability to inspire others to follow their dream,” said Dee DelBello, publisher of Westfair Communications.

“While personality focused articles have been very popular with the readers of our publications, we feel that launching a Businessperson of the Year will call extra attention to the many remarkable personalities that make this section of the country a hotbed for new ideas and an entrepreneurial spirit that is second to none. Without these amazing people, our economy would be at a loss.”

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DECEMBER 2, 2019

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In Brief Charlotte Russe returning to Stamford Town Center; back in Poughkeepsie Galleria

Tom Rutledge

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS CEO TOM RUTLEDGE NAMED TO CERC BOARD

Charlotte Russe has bounced back from bankruptcy. Photo by Glenn J. Kalinoski

Charlotte Russe is returning to Stamford Town Center in time for the holidays.

The teen apparel retailer, which is eyeing a mid-December opening at the Stamford mall, filed for bankruptcy in February and began liquidating its assets in March. It has emerged from bankruptcy and is looking to expand again.

The company has also returned to the Poughkeepsie Galleria in the same location it had previously occupied at the Dutchess County mall.

Charlotte Russe is one of the few national retail chains to bounce back from bankruptcy.

According to research firm Coresight, more than 8,600 stores are slated to close in 2019. To date, there have been 48% more store closings announced than in all of 2018.

In addition, Taubman Centers, the real estate investment trust that owns the 853,000-square-foot Stamford Town Center, recently announced that the mall is for sale.

HENKEL, UNILEVER REPORTEDLY LOOKING TO COMPETE FOR SOME ASSETS OF CLAIROL, COVERGIRL MANUFACTURER

Consumer goods firms Henkel and Unilever, along with such buyout funds as Advent and Cinven, are contemplating bidding for some of U.S. cosmetics maker Coty’s most

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popular beauty brands, according to a Reuters report.

Coty’s portfolio includes such brands as Clairol, Max Factor, CoverGirl, Wella, GHD and OPI. The New York City firm, which has a market value of $9 billion, is majority-owned by the German firm JAB Holding Co. Citing anonymous sources, Reuters reported that Coty is expected to kick off an auction process this month to find a new owner for certain of its professional hair and nail care brands.

Henkel — also a German company, whose North American headquarters are in Stamford — has steadily been building its portfolio over the past few years, with acquisitions ranging from the $485 million purchase of Darien-based Zotos International Inc. in 2016 to its acquisition of Deva Parent Holdings Inc., the New York City company that owns DevaCurl professional hair care, for an undisclosed amount.

The British-Dutch Unilever, which has a corporate office in Shelton, announced that it had accepted an offer from Guatemala’s Industria La Popular to acquire its direct application soap bars business in Central America. That news followed the Nov. 13 announcement that Marijn Dekkers was stepping down as Unilever’s chairman of the board immediately and being

replaced by non-executive director Nils Andersen.

Another possible suitor for the Coty portfolio is New Yorkbased Colgate Palmolive, which recently bought the skin care unit of France’s Laboratoires Filorga Cosmétiques for 1.5 billion euros ($1.66 billion).

CONNECTICUT SHED 1,500 JOBS IN OCTOBER

Connecticut lost 1,500 net jobs in October to a level of 1,698,800 seasonally adjusted, according to data from the state’s Department of Labor.

The Labor Department also revised the September job gain of 3,600 up to a higher total of 4,700.

From October 2018 to October 2019, state-based employers added 4,800 jobs, increasing Connecticut’s labor force by 0.3%.

It estimated the number of unemployed residents at 69,500, seasonally adjusted, up 1,300 from September. As a result, the October unemployment rate stood at 3.6%, seasonally adjusted, unchanged from the revised September level.

Private-sector employment fell by 1,000 to 1,463,600 jobs in October and is up by 6,500 seasonally adjusted jobs since October 2018. The government sector shed 500 jobs and remains down 1,700 jobs over the year.

The Connecticut Economic Resource Center Inc. (CERC), which has been powering up with a number of big-name board members since Gov. Ned Lamont was inaugurated, has added five members to its board of directors, including Charter Communications Chairman and CEO Tom Rutledge.

In addition to the Stamford executive, the CERC board also voted to add Eversource Executive Vice President and General Counsel Gregory Butler; Avangrid Networks President and CEO Anthony Marone; Hartford Foundation for Public Giving President Jay Williams; and Quinnipiac University President Judy Olian.

PEOPLE’S UNITED TO CLOSE BRANCHES IN GREENWICH, WESTPORT

People’s United Bank has announced plans to close 18 branches in Connecticut, including two in Fairfield County.

The branch closings follow the $759 million acquisition of United Financial Bancorp Inc., the holding company for United Bank, by People’s United Financial Inc., the holding company for People’s United Bank.

When the acquisition was announced in July, People’s United CEO Jack Barnes acknowledged the transaction would result in branch closings.

Fairfield County branches designated for closing are the former United Bank locations at 415 Greenwich Ave. in Greenwich and 370 Post Road East in Westport.

The closings are expected to take place between December and April.

SCHWAB GOBBLES UP TD AMERITRADE FOR $26B

Charles Schwab is acquiring rival discount brokerage TD Ameritrade in an all-stock deal valued at $26 billion — creating a broker with more than $5 trillion in client assets.

Under terms of the deal, which is expected to close in the second half of next year, TD Ameritrade stockholders will receive 1.0837 Schwab shares for every share held, a 17% premium over the stock’s 30-day average price before the announcement was made.

Schwab’s shareholders will own 69% and TD Ameritrade’s stockholders will own 18% of the combined company. TD Bank, which owns 43% of TD Ameritrade, will own the proportionate 13% of the new company.

The combined company will serve more than 24 million clients.

San Francisco-based Schwab has a market value of $57.5 billion while Omaha-based TD Ameritrade has a $22.4 billion market cap.

The combined company’s headquarters will relocate to Schwab’s new campus in Westlake, Texas.

TD Ameritrade CEO Tim Hockey previously announced plans to step down next February.

Its CFO, Stephen Boyle, has been named TD Ameritrade’s interim president and CEO and will continue in that role until the acquisition is finalized.

Schwab’s New York locations include Mount Kisco and Scarsdale while TD Ameritrade also has an office in Scarsdale.

In Connecticut, Schwab has offices in Fairfield, Greenwich and Ridgefield, while TD Ameritrade has locations in Brookfield, Fairfield and Stamford.

In Brief

Citrin Cooperman Corner 2019 and Beyond: The Future is Now

BY MARK FAGAN, CPA, AND MATTHEW KUCHINSKY, CPA

MARK FAGAN AND MATT KUCHINSKY

Renderings of the clubhouse. Images courtesy Silver/Petrucellit Associates, Architects

CONSTRUCTION TO START ON $7M CLUBHOUSE AT FAIRFIELD GOLF COURSE

Groundbreaking on a $7 million clubhouse at Fairfield’s H. Smith Richardson Golf Course took place on Nov. 20.

Construction will involve expanding the clubhouse space from 6,700 to 9,200 square feet. The new facility will also be repositioned so that the dining room and patio will be overlooking the finishing 18th hole of the course.

The project includes renovating and expanding the cart barn and increasing parking to nearly 200 spaces.

The work by Werner Construction Inc. will replace the Richardson course’s original clubhouse, which opened in 1972. The new clubhouse is tentatively set to open

by Labor Day 2020. The course, at 2425 Morehouse Highway, will remain open in the spring and summer during construction.

AT&T TO BRING 5G SERVICE TO BRIDGEPORT MARKET

AT&T has announced plans to introduce 5G service in the Bridgeport market by February 2020.

The service will be available for those using AT&T’s new low-band 5G smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy Note10+5G. The Bridgeport area is the only Connecticut market where AT&T is rolling out its 5G service, which will also be made available across New England in Boston and Providence and in the New York City area.

TIFFANY STORES FACE UNCERTAINTY AFTER $16.3B ACQUISITION

The future of the region’s Tiffany & Co. retail stores has become cloudy following the $16.3 billion acquisition of the luxury jewelry store by Louis Vuitton owner LVMH.

The luxury chain, founded in 1837, operates more than 300 stores worldwide, including locations in Greenwich, Westport and White Plains.

Tiffany had previously received an unsolicited takeover bid of $120 per share from LVMH, whose 75 brands also include Bulgari, Christian Dior, Dom Pérignon and Moet & Chandon.

The companies negotiated the transaction up to $135 per share.

It is not clear if the acquisition will result in the closure of Tiffany retail stores.

COLDWELL BANKER-HOMEADVISOR RENOVATION PLATFORM DEBUTS REGIONALLY

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Connecticut and Westchester County, New York, is joining with HomeAdvisor on the regional introduction of RealVitalize, a digital platform designed to provide sellers with home improvement resources prior to or during the home listing period.

Homeowners who list their properties with a participating brokerage company will be able to make nonstructural home improvements and repairs using a service professional from the HomeAdvisor network. The brokerage covers the up-front costs of the repairs, which will be repaid by the seller when the property sale closes or the listing expires.

Participation in RealVitalize does not require additional fees and the properties are not limited by a minimum listing price. The projects covered by the program include staging, appliance purchasing and installation, handyman services, painting, kitchen and bathroom upgrades.

What a difference 20 years makes. As we say goodbye to 2019 and get ready to enter into a new decade, one thing is clear — we have only just scratched the surface of what is possible. At the beginning of the new millennium, the primary concern for businesses was Y2K, and whether their computer systems were going to survive past the time change on January 1, 2000 at 12:01am. There was no social media and the internet was still in its infancy. Today, business concerns are more complex, focusing on issues like data privacy and disruptive technologies like robotics process automation, and how these could impact their businesses.

The business landscape is continuing to become more competitive and consolidated, driven by changing shifts in how companies operate and leverage artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, robotics, and many other new technologies. The addition of buzzwords like innovation, transformation, and disruption have become the norm, and business owners are facing a significant variety of new and complex challenges as they build strategies for their future.

With all of these advancements in technology and changing customer demands, leading to the commoditization of more and more services, businesses are left asking, how they will keep pace with the competition; what will be the differentiating factors for them to set them apart and above; and, how will they ensure continued growth and profitability?

In order to sustain growth and profitability, businesses will have to be able to transform their business models to suit the growing needs of their clients, while providing a lasting, connected, and deeper client experience. Technology and change continue to be top of mind for our clients. Experts agree that technology advances are forcing significant change in all areas of business, and the ability to adapt quickly and understand how to leverage technology in the right way is critical to survival. However, for some private, middle-market enterprises that may not have access to significant amounts of capital, selecting where to invest can become daunting.

As Citrin Cooperman enters the new decade, we bring our deep expertise in advisory services and business consulting to our clients. We have the advantage of working with clients in different industries every day and the ability to see, firsthand, what works for

them and what doesn’t. This allows us to engage our clients through an integrated approach and a consultative mind set, which includes the ability to anticipate future requirements early; understand the industry and business issues our clients are up against and how today’s trends can help or hurt them; and, be ready with timely and proactive insights and solutions, customized to their unique circumstances, so they can adapt quickly.

In 2020, the Citrin Cooperman Corner will focus on addressing evolution from the perspectives of our economy, communities, and our client’s businesses.

We will discuss issues surrounding leadership, growth, and how to not only survive, but thrive by putting evolution into action to unlock the potential of our clients’ businesses. These articles will only serve as a slice of our local programs.

Articles, webinars, panel discussions, seminars, podcasts, networking events, and more, will be rolled out throughout the year, which will be geared towards local business owners and executives.

Throughout 2020 and beyond, our mission is clear. We have aligned our strategy to be centered around our clients’ needs and the changes within their industries. We are focused on forward movement, to help us keep ahead of what is coming and stay nimble, innovative, and entrepreneurial in our approach. Above all, Citrin Cooperman will continue to help our clients improve their processes, grow their business, and put their own evolution into action.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS Matt Kuchinsky serves as the managing partner for the Firm’s White Plains office. He is also a member of Citrin Cooperman’s executive committee.

Matt is a business consulting and tax partner with more than 20 years of experience serving as a business advisor.

Matt can be reached at mkuchinsky@ citrincooperman.com. Mark Fagan is the managing partner of Citrin Cooperman’s Norwalk, Connecticut office. He is also a member of Citrin Cooperman’s Executive Committee and the Firm’s Audit and Attest Committee. With over 25 years of audit, tax, and business advisory experience, he serves clients in a wide range of industries, including technology, financial services, private equity, manufacturing and distribution, and construction. Mark’s clients range from privately held middle-market firms to larger, complex, multi-national organizations. Mark can be reached at mfagan@citrincooperman.com.

Citrin Cooperman is among the largest, full-service assurance, tax, and business advisory firms in the United States, having steadily built its business serving a diverse and loyal clientele since 1979. Our daily mission is to help our clients “focus on what counts.” Rooted in our core values, we provide a comprehensive, integrated business approach to traditional services, which includes proactive insights throughout the lifecycle of our clients, wherever they do business, across the globe. citrincooperman.com

— Phil Hall, Kevin Zimmerman

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DECEMBER 2, 2019

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TikTok — From page 1

TikTok. “To understand TikTok’s unprecedented growth, the app had around 500 million users in May 2019,” said Emad AbouElgheit, associate professor of marketing at Western Connecticut State University (WCSU). “That is nearly one-fifth of users on the giant Facebook, but only in three years compared to Facebook’s 15 years of growth.”

TikTok has become popular with younger audiences.

The market research agency GlobalWebIndex reported that 41% of TikTok users belonged to Generation Z, the next demographic youth wave following the millennials. For those who recall their youth rather than flaunt it, viewing TikTok content can be a little disconcerting.

“One look at the platform and you’ll immediately feel old,” joked Jaime Urteaga, founder and CEO at Digital Chair Inc. in White Plains. “I’ve spent a few hours on it over the years and each time it’s been the same experience. It has very Vine-like video clips — many are funny, cute, entertaining or sexual, and probably 95% and more are by creators who are about age 15 to 18 years old.”

STAR POWER

TikTok has generated its share of online stars, including a Pomeranian dog named Jiffpom who has 19.5 million followers. Prominent entertainers, including Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars and Gwen Stefani, are connecting with their fans on TikTok and “Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon incorporated TikTok into his program by tapping into the platform’s popular “challenge” feature with his #tumbleweedchallenge, which resulted in the creation of more than 8,000 videos of TikTok users rolling across the ground like a tumbleweed. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg reportedly has a TikTok account, although he has not created content on the platform.

“According to Hootsuite, the app was valued at $75

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The TikTok app. Photo courtesy Dreamstime Pictures

billion in 2019,” observed WCSU’s AbouElgheit. “Their revenue model is in-app purchases where users buy virtual money (coins) to give back to influencers and creators of videos. In return, creators send digital gifts to users.”

From a marketing perspective, the ultra-short video format of TikTok does not enable longer-form advertising that is prevalent on YouTube and Facebook. As a result, much of the marketing efforts on the platform either rely on influencers to hype up a brand or quickie humor that lends itself to meme-level comedy.

“TikTok is less of a conversion platform and more of a general branding platform,” noted Christine Gritmon, a Nyack-based social media strategist.

Major consumer brands, including Apple Music, Chipotle, Fenty Beauty and Nike have adapted to TikTok’s format with videos that eschew the hard-sell for a light and airy approach.

The U.S. Army tapped into TikTok for its recruiting efforts, although that was put on indefinite hold after several politicians, including New York Sen. Chuck

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TikTok has generated its share of online stars, including a Pomeranian dog named Jiffpom who has 19.5 million followers.

Prominent entertainers, including Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars and Gwen Stefani, are connecting with their fans on TikTok and ‘Tonight Show’ host Jimmy Fallon incorporated TikTok into his program.

Schumer, questioned whether the app’s Chinese origins posed a security concern.

Joshua Shuart, a professor at Sacred Heart University’s Jack Welch College of Business, noted how the sports world has embraced TikTok with gusto.

“All of the teams and the professional leagues have it,” he said. “The international soccer leagues are cultivating their next generation of fans.”

Shuart also pointed out that e-commerce has gotten into the TikTok act, too.

“Memes that are popularized on TikTok go to Amazon and are turned into merchandise,” he said.

Chase Hutchison, senior vice president at Brookfieldbased Mack Media Group, observed that TikTok’s freshness in the social media universe is a marketing plus.

“It is relatively new and therefore is not nearly as saturated as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter,” he said.

Eddie Martinez, owner of the TOP Station podcasting operation in Bridgeport, is using TikTok to stay connected with the young audiences he reaches in his work as an inspirational speaker.

“A lot of people are following and liking,” he said of his TikTok account.

“Sometimes I get asked questions.”

Martinez added that marketers can ill afford to pass by TikTok for their social media outreach to younger audiences.

“You have to be on top of everything,” he continued. “You might think this platform is just for kids, but kids today play a huge role in what parents do. Parents take into consideration what kids want when they are spending hundreds of dollars.”

But for many local marketing agencies with more of a B2B focus, TikTok is not in their social media strategy plan.

‘OLDER TARGET AUDIENCE’

“Most of the businesses that I work with have an older target audience — business owners, homeowners, etc. — and I don’t believe that TikTok would be effective in reaching that audience at the moment,” said Nicholas Mastrogiorgio, owner of MastroTek, a website design and internet marketing agency in Mount Vernon.

Digital Chair’s Urteaga

pointed out that the platform is not actively seeking B2B agency participation.

“Their sign-up says they’re currently only taking direct clients, which means the client would have to sign up themselves and delegate us access,” he explained. “So, they don’t have an agency portal yet, as their ad platform is still in its infancy.

And, the sign-up form has it so their team will contact you if you fit their criteria for advertising with them within five days.”

TikTok has attracted entities that many people might not associate with Gen Z appeal. These include the Washington Post, which produces short skits that poke fun at how it covers the news, and the United Nations’ International Fund for Agricultural Development, which offers videos of farm work in developing countries.

Some digital experts believe the B2B potential of TikTok is on the horizon.

Jonathan Soares, founder and CEO of the Bethelbased website and app development firm Agency Sources, believed companies could use TikTok for self-promotion to potential clients and employees.

“Depending on who you are targeting, it could be phenomenal,” Soares said. “We are spending a lot of time looking at content on TikTok and we’re seeing more and more older demographics getting involved in it. We work with leading digital and creative agencies and a lot of them are starting to talk about how they have to be on the cutting edge on what’s new and emerging.”

Scott Lipow, president of Six7 Marketing in Fairfield, believes TikTok will eventually widen its appeal in the manner that other youth-focused social media sites have.

“I think it’s totally possible that TikTok becomes a powerful strategy for more types of businesses, both large and small, over the longer term,” said Lipow.

“Facebook and Instagram both started out with a mostly young demographic and then captured more adults with greater purchasing power and economic influence.”

It’s the Law | By Robert G. Brody and Lindsay M. Rinehart Employees have the right to respond in writing to discipline, evaluations and notices of termination

F

THE BOTTOM LINE

or more than five years Connecticut law has required employers to let employees respond, in writing, to write-ups, performance evaluations and/or notices of termination. Not only must employees be given the opportunity, but they must be advised of this right by their employer in writing. We have found many Connecticut employers don’t even realize this requirement exists.

This is one of those unseen laws people often miss. You should review the forms you use for employee discipline, evaluation and termination and ensure a clear statement regarding an employee’s right to respond is in there. If it isn’t in there, add it. Orally informing the employee is not enough.

Robert G. Brody is the founder and managing member and Lindsay M. Rinehart is an associate at Brody and Associates, LLC, a management-side labor, employment and benefits law firm with offices in Westport.

Brody can be reached at rbrody@brodyandassociates.com and Rinehart at lrinehart@brodyandassociates.com. Both can be reached by phone at 203-454-0560.

THE STATUTE

The statute requires employers “include a statement in clear and conspicuous language in any documented disciplinary action, notice of termination of such employee’s employment or performance evaluation that the employee may, should the employee disagree with any of the information contained in such documented disciplinary action, notice of termination or performance evaluation, submit a written statement explaining his or her position.”

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

It means any time you give an employee a performance evaluation, disciplinary write-up or notice of termination, you have to include language in the document that clearly tells the employee he or she can submit a response in writing. To ensure you can prove the employee received this notice, have the employee sign the document at the very bottom. Your lawyer will thank you!

WHAT DO EMPLOYERS HAVE TO DO WITH THE EMPLOYEE’S RESPONSE

Any written statement the employee decides to submit must be kept in the employee’s personnel file with the document to which it corresponds. Additionally, whenever contents of the personnel file are given to a third party, the response must accompany the original document.

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DECEMBER 2, 2019

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Reiss, the governor’s communications director. “Gov. Lamont asked legislative leaders from both sides of the aisle to come together and discuss for nearly two hours how to grow the state’s economy and fix its broken transportation system.”

Tolls — From page 1

MTAC President Joseph Sculley issued a statement maintaining that truckers already pay Connecticut fuel taxes for every mile they drive through the state — whether they stop to refuel here or not — and disagreed with House Majority Leader Matt Ritter’s assertion that trucks cause 80% of the damage to the state’s roadways.

Sculley called the 80% figure “a made-up number.

There is no data to support that statement. In fact, the Federal Bridge Formula ensures that a truck cannot inherently damage a road or a bridge.”

Sculley also noted that truck-only tolls on bridges in Rhode Island are the subject of an ongoing lawsuit against that state by various trucking associations.

State Republicans have remained steadfast in their opposition to tolls, preferring their FASTR CT proposal that

NEW YORK ANGER

Len Fasano (left) and Gov. Ned Lamont.

would involve borrowing $1.5 billion from Connecticut’s budget reserve fund, or rainy day fund — a plan whose fiscal soundness has been questioned by some, including Connecticut Treasurer Shawn Wooden especially in case of a recession.

Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano told reporters after the Nov. 26 meeting with Lamont that “truck tolling is a

nonstarter” and maintained that the Democrats would eventually get around to including tolls for all vehicles.

He later issued a statement describing the Democrats’ remarks as “nothing but political talking points defending their insatiable desire to tax people more.

“They want tolls, they want to borrow more, they want more tax revenue from

Connecticut residents — on top of their new taxes on plastic bags and groceries,” Fasano continued. “They do not want to work with Republicans to do what is truly best for our state and its residents. They want tolls.

Period.”

“Sen. Fasano must be talking about a completely different meeting and a totally different plan,” said Max

Meanwhile, New Yorkers are against the gantry on I-684.

On Nov. 20, four New York state legislators representing the communities surrounding the highway in Westchester County — State Sens. Shelley Mayer (D-37th) and Peter Harckham (D-40th) as well as Assemblymen David Buchwald (D-93rd) and Kevin Byrne (R-94th) — sent a letter to Lamont protesting that the I-684 component “would create a ‘New York’ tax on our constituents who must transverse this small section of Connecticut in their drive within New York State.”

It would also create overflow traffic on local streets by

drivers seeking to avoid the toll, “resulting in increased local maintenance and road repair costs” in both states, they said.

There have also been rumors that Connecticut has already quietly begun to build gantries to be placed in their designated spots should tolls be approved — a suggestion at which a spokesman for the Connecticut Department of Transportation scoffed at.

“Absolutely false,” he said. “Even if the General Assembly and the governor approved toll legislation tomorrow, the … study process would take up to two years or more. The earliest estimate for toll operations is 2023, assuming legislative approval and that everything else fell perfectly into place.

“One other thing to bear in mind,” he added. “The feds (the Federal Highway Administration) would not approve tolls on Connecticut highways and/or bridges without (state) legislative approval in place.”

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DECEMBER 2, 2019

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When personal cyber assaults spill into the workplace

THANK YOU TO SUPPORTERS

GOLDBERG: ‘THERE IS VERY LITTLE THAT PEOPLE CAN DO TO PREVENT CROSSING PATHS WITH A SOCIOPATH’

Carrie Goldberg. Photo courtesy CA Goldberg PLLC.

BY PHIL HALL phall@westfairinc.com

C

arrie Goldberg does not believe in using diplomatic or opaque language when promoting her Brooklyn law firm C.A. Goldberg PPLC. The focus of the firm is fighting on behalf of victims of online harassment and cybercrimes, and the law firm’s website clearly states: “We fight AGAINST the a**holes, psychos, pervs and trolls who think they can get away with it.”

Goldberg came to Connecticut on Nov. 13 to conduct Fairfield University’s 22nd Annual JacobyLunin Humanitarian Lectureship, offering the topic “Demanding Justice for Victims: From Cyber Crimes to Federal Courts.” In an interview with the Business Journal prior to her lecture, Goldberg noted that the workplace has increasingly come under siege from cyber miscreants eager to inflict pain and embarrassment on others.

“Most people who are victims of online harassment or revenge porn have jobs,” she said. “Many of our clients have been harassed by an ex or attacked at the workplace. They are targeting what is often most valuable to their victims: their careers.”

And it is not just Goldberg’s clients who fall victim to such attacks.

“One of our employees was a school principal whose ex-boyfriend posted nude photos on a work computer,” she explained, adding that the incident effectively ended her education career.

She later earned her law degree and joined Goldberg’s firm that was established in 2014.

Among the more dramatic attacks she noted involved a man who accumulated text messages where his ex-girlfriend spoke impolitely about her clients and colleagues and then sent them to

her workplace’s email system. Another attacker bypassed the internet and went old-school with a fax blast to the executives and board members of his ex-girlfriend’s company where he accused her of having sex with clients and being under police investigation for child pornography and drunk driving.

Even self-employed entrepreneurs are not immune, Goldberg added, recalling a professional dog walker whose account on the Rover app was hacked by an ex who used lies stating that she was responsible for killing the animals in her care.

Goldberg acknowledged that employer response to such intrusions has been uneven.

“Human resources departments need to be aware the internet plays a role in victimization,” she said. “Law enforcement needs to take cybercrimes seriously and work with employers when someone at a workplace is under attack.”

She added that many companies are cognizant of what is occurring and many company handbooks are clearly defining how to accommodate victims of these workplace assaults. Pointing to the case of the fax-based attacker, Goldberg recounted that the victim’s employer realized her ex-boyfriend “was a complete lunatic and was willing to grant her time off to get an order of protection. They even went with her to his sentencing.”

But is it possible to avoid having these situations permeate the workplace?

Goldberg believed such a question puts the blame on the victim for having been acquainted with an unstable personality rather than the perpetrator.

“Everyone is a moment away from having their life upended by someone who targets us,” she lamented. “There is very little that people can do to prevent crossing paths with a sociopath.”

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DECEMBER 2, 2019

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Norwalk growing into major player as challenges remain 16.6% last year to $14.3 billion. That growth has been due largely to new construction, Rilling said.

“There is a limited opportunity for single-family construction right now,” he said. “We need to address that while maintaining the unique character of our various neighborhoods.”

BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN kzimmerman@westfairinc.com

N

orwalk is “a really great city whose time has come,” according to Mayor Harry Rilling. “More people are starting to take notice of who we are and what we have to offer. We’ve got it all.”

Recently elected to his fourth term, Rilling was referring to the city’s resources, location, diversity and affordability. But having it all in this case includes some less pleasant matters as well. One of the major issues in the campaign against unaffiliated candidate Lisa Brinton was whether the city is developing too quickly. The political football that is the Walk Bridge replacement project continues to bounce. And over several weeks calls by the mayor and other civic leaders for Board of Education Chairman Mike Barbis to resign. Bruce Kimmel replaced Barbis on Nov. 19, but resigned after just a few days on the job, citing political, personal and health reasons.

At issue was an email by Barbis that was leaked by an anonymous source three days before the Nov. 5 election, in which among other things he maintained that black politicians from South Norwalk, who opposed plans to raze and replace a school in District B, were “all SCUM …. Blacks f*** Latinos.”

Rilling, the Norwalk Federation of Teachers and the Norwalk NAACP, which declared Barbis’ remarks “racist,” all called for Barbis to resign, while Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, encouraged him not to take the oath of office.

The situation threatened to become a quagmire until Barbis finally stepped aside.

The mayor said Barbis’ remarks do not reflect “who Norwalk is.”

The issue has been a particularly sore spot, Rilling said, because of his administration’s work with the Board of Ed to improve the city’s education system. The mayor has intro-

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DECEMBER 2, 2019

MALLS AND BRIDGES

From left: Norwalk Chief of Economic and Community Development Jessica Casey; Mayor Harry Rilling; Norwalk Common Council President Tom Livingston; and Norwalk Common Council member George Tsiranides at the press conference announcing the city’s Small Business and Main Street Program on Oct. 30.

duced a $189 million investment in Norwalk schools’ infrastructure, and in the latest Connecticut Next Generation Accountability Report from the Connecticut Department of Education, Norwalk’s accountability index score was 76.8%, compared to the state score of 74.9%.

REACHING OUT TO SMALL BUSINESSES

Rilling said the finalist among three candidates to take over the directorship of Norwalk’s Redevelopment Agency, from which Tim Sheehan resigned over the summer, should be announced within the next few weeks.

On Oct. 30 the city announced a $165,000 pilot initiative, the Small Business and Main Street Program, to help support local businesses and enhance the quality of life across the city.

Part of the pilot includes a storefront improvement program with matching grants of up to $10,000 to

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help fund seating, signage, lighting, window replacement and more. The program will also include a streetscape improvement initiative in the Wall Street area, with funding allocated for benches, flowers, planters and more. The city will work with local businesses and stakeholders on a comprehensive plan for the area.

Chief of Economic and Community Development Jessica Casey, who is overseeing the program, said it came from conversations with various businesses in Norwalk’s “urban core,” which includes Wall Street, West Avenue North, West Avenue South and South Norwalk, and such groups as the Wall Street Neighborhood Association.

She noted that such a concentrated outreach program has never been done before in Norwalk, and that it is about “understanding the details. We may not be able to help absolutely everybody, but we want to include other viewpoints.”

Casey said some themes are emerging.

“We’ve heard that City Hall has been focusing on SoNo for a couple of decades, and that now it’s time to put some of those resources into brightening the West Side,” she said.

Concerns in the Merritt 7 and Glover Avenue areas are “more about transportation and mobility,” Casey continued. “We’re looking at ways to link our urban core to Merritt 7.”

The idea is to “be more strategic and holistic about what the city looks like,” she said, allowing that getting buy-in from residents will “take trust and time.”

The city is also undertaking a comprehensive review of its zoning regulations for the first time in some 30 years, Rilling noted.

“Some of them have become antiquated, and we want to see what’s consistent with our POCD (Plan of Conservation and Development),” the 10-year, state-mandated master plan

recently approved unanimously by the Norwalk Common Council.

The POCD envisions that by 2029, Norwalk will have “become a national example of a small city that boasts a thriving and dynamic economy; varied housing choices for all income levels; many safe and convenient ways to get around the city, including walking and biking; connected, accessible and beautiful open spaces; a commitment to lifelong learning; and an active and resilient coastline.”

The mayor said he hoped the revisions to Norwalk’s zoning regulations will be completed in the next 18 to 24 months.

All of this activity begs the question of whether Norwalk is growing too rapidly.

“We have to keep looking at the opportunities we have here,” he added. “We want to make sure we get it right. At the same time, we need to continue to grow our Grand List,” which rose

The mayor also touted the recently opened SoNo Collection mall.

“It’s been a really positive addition to the city, traffic has not been as bad as people thought, although with the holidays there will be some struggles.”

He further noted that some 2,500 jobs will ultimately be created at the mall, “with a good percentage of them going to Norwalk residents — everything from service jobs to management positions.”

As for the much-delayed Walk Bridge replacement — which will cost an estimated $511 million as part of an overall $1.2 billion package that includes several other transportation-related initiatives — Rilling said the city is continuing to work closely with the state toward installing another moveable bridge rather than a fixed bridge, as some opponents have demanded.

In July, U.S. District Court Judge Stefan Underhill tossed a lawsuit filed by advocacy group Norwalk Harbor Keeper.

That suit charged that the U.S. Department of Transportation’s environmental study of the project was faulty and maintained a fixed bridge would be less expensive and more environmentally friendly.

Rilling repeated his long-held belief that changing course on the Walk Bridge replacement would be a mistake.

The new Walk Bridge includes a federal designation of a navigable waterway — something he said a fixed bridge does not — and is more conducive to waterfront development while the alternative would, in effect, turn the area into “a marsh.”

FOCUS ON

HEALTH CARE FAIRFIELD COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL

Open enrollment keeps ConnectiCare busy

BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN kzimmerman@westfairinc.com

C

onnectiCare has opened a retail center in Norwalk, its sixth overall, and is considering expanding its presence in Bridgeport.

The centers, which the Farmington-based insurer began opening in 2016, are each staffed by up to nine associates who work to answer questions from the public about health insurance and open enrollment.

Medicare enrollment for 2020 goes through Dec. 7 while those seeking coverage through Access Health CT (AHCT), the state’s health insurance exchange created by the Affordable Care Act, face a Dec. 15 deadline.

Associates are also available to help ConnectiCare members maximize their benefits, determine the best health plan for themselves and their families and man-

age their accounts, according to ConnectiCare Director of Retail Operations Laurie Blier.

Blier, who was the director of the insurer’s call center services and customer experience for 20 years before taking over the centers four years ago, said the centers represent “taking our customer service one step further. Meeting customers face to face, in person, gives people a better sense of connection.”

Even longtime customers can benefit from visiting the centers, she said.

“I spoke with one person who had done everything online last year, and they ended up saving $300 a month after coming in,” Blier said. “They’re not necessarily up-to-date on the premium tax credit rules and other rules that can benefit them.

That’s the kind of thing we can explain.”

ConnectiCare also works

The ConnectiCare location in Norwalk.

with Access Health, she added, noting that AHCT representatives are on-site at its larger centers in Waterbury and Manchester to supplement the insurer’s outreach, “which makes it much smoother for customers.”

Joining those two centers are facilities in Farmington, Newington, Bridgeport at 4551 Main St. and, as of Oct. 15, Norwalk at 64 N. Main St. That site was chosen after what Senior Director, Public

Relations and Corporate Communications Kimberly Kann said was an extensive search that included Stamford.

“We looked at the demographics that were coming to Bridgeport, a high amount of whom were people from the Norwalk/Stamford area,” Kann said.

The Norwalk lease extends only through September of next year, something Blier said was ConnectiCare’s standard

approach.

“We usually go in with a temporary lease for a year or so, to be sure we’re in a really great spot,” she said.

“We take a temporary, open, short-term lease to see how the customer traffic is, and then can decide on whether to expand it.”

The 1,600-square-foot space has a second floor of roughly the same size, she said, describing its traffic and feedback as being positive so far. Five associates rotate in and out of the Norwalk operation.

As for the Bridgeport location, which is attached to a CliniSanitas Medical Center — ConnectiCare formed a partnership with that multinational health business group in 2016 — Blier described it as “pretty small but very busy. At this time of year we have two associates there who are seeing people back to back, which is a little crazy. We’re looking for

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a larger center to accommodate more customers.”

Whether that would be instead of, or a complement to, the existing location has yet to be determined, she said.

Customers are encouraged to make appointments, especially during open enrollment, although about 80% of those coming through the doors are walkins, Blier said. She noted that in addition to insurance advice and sales, the centers offer a number of supplementary services including exercise programs, nutrition classes and support groups for Alzheimer’s patients and their families, among others.

Such centers are unique to ConnectiCare, Kann noted.

“We’ve been serving Connecticut residents for 38 years,” she said, “and it’s important for us to be able to physically meet with them and discuss their needs.”

DECEMBER 2, 2019

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Focus On HEALTH CARE

CONTRIBUTING WRITER | By Anne Docimo

Low-back pain and the opioid epidemic

F

or the millions of people suffering from low-back pain, the condition can range from a minor nuisance to a major disability.

For some, it may even lead to opioid use and abuse.

Opioids are prescribed for 9% of people with new-onset low-back pain, making it the most common reason for an opioid prescription.

Nearly 70% of people experience low-back pain at least once in their life and about one-quarter of adults in the U.S. report experiencing the condition in the past three months. The causes vary, including previous injury, aging, muscular issues or

arthritis of the spine.

Recognizing the connection between back pain and opioids is important, considering that almost 2 million people in the U.S. experience opioid use disorder, and more than 47,000 Americans each year die from overdoses related to prescription or illicit opioids.

Consider these tips to help reduce the risk of low back pain and complications.

STAY ACTIVE

While some people with low-back pain may be tempted to consider bed rest, studies show that remaining active is the best option

in most cases. Activities to consider include walking and swimming, while yoga and tai chi have been shown to ease moderate to severe low back pain. Avoid long hours of sitting as this can reduce mobility and hinder recovery.

CONSIDER CARE OPTIONS

The American College of Physicians (ACP) recommends nonsurgical options for initial treatment, including physical therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture and over-thecounter, anti-inflammatory medicines.

Osteopathic manipulative treatment, a hands-on technique that includes stretching and

gentle pressure, has been shown to reduce back pain.

These noninvasive care options help 95% of people with back pain recover after 12 weeks. Muscle relaxants and imaging, such as an MRI, should be secondary options and surgery should be a last resort. Opioids should be avoided. Certain red-flag symptoms, such as fever or loss of bladder and bowel control, may require immediate testing and intervention.

THE RISKS OF DIGITAL DEVICES

The average American spends nearly three hours per day on smartphones, which can contribute to

poor neck posture. This look at the screen may change the natural curvature of your spine, placing strain on your neck muscles. Instead of tilting your chin down, raise the device to eye level. Also, avoid tucking your mobile device between your ear and shoulder and instead use a speakerphone or headset.

STAY SAFE AT WORK

When standing or sitting at your computer or workstation, make sure your shoulders are in a straight line over your hips and your ears are directly over your shoulders.

Generally, when working at a computer, people’s

hands, wrists and forearms should be straight, in line and parallel to the floor to help reduce the risk of musculoskeletal issues.

Even for people with chronic low-back pain that lasts more than two months, only a small percentage will need to have more invasive procedures or surgery. By taking preventive steps — and selecting evidence-based care approaches — you may help reduce the risks and complications associated with low-back pain.

Dr. Anne Docimo is the chief medical officer at UnitedHealthcare in Minneapolis. She can be reached at 877-636-9718.

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DECEMBER 2, 2019

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Amazon’s Stratford site to bring mostly part-time employment

BY JORDAN GRICE

A

mazon is still ironing out hiring plans for its new Stratford facility, but early indications are that most of the jobs will be for part-time workers.

It’s been several weeks since the town announced that the online retailing giant would be leasing roughly 200,000 square feet at 500 and 600 Long Beach Blvd.

Amazon has not unveiled its hiring plans for the property, but has said that it wants to put a delivery station there.

“Generally, if you’re looking for a role at a delivery station, it’s because the part-time delivery schedule is probably what appealed to you more,” said an Amazon spokesman in an interview with Hearst Connecticut Media.

Products ordered from Amazon are typically sent from a fulfillment center

— the nearest in this area being in North Haven — to delivery stations where they are routed and shipped to customers.

Delivery stations are traditionally a smaller facility in Amazon’s delivery chain, according to the company.

As a result, facilities generally feature a mix of part-time and full-time roles, with a lion’s share of the balance going to part-time workers.

Stratford’s delivery station may also mean quicker deliveries in the region, according to the digital retailer.

“It powers up the last mile of our customer fulfillment process,” the company spokesman said. “The addition of delivery stations allows us to be closer to our customers, so that does, in turn, offer the opportunity to be delivered faster.”

The e-commerce giant has already created a footing for influencing economic

Photo by Clare Dignan / Hearst Connecticut Media

development in Connecticut.

The company transformed 168 acres of land in North Haven into a 1.2 millionsquare-foot fulfillment center.

Since opening in the summer, North Haven officials have said, the company has already employed close to 3,000 people, bringing a mix of activity to the local business community.

“What we’ve seen is an emergence of developers

that are interested in purchasing plazas that had been either vacant or needed to be rehabilitated,” said North Haven First Selectman Michael Freda.

He added that the increase of workers in the town has also doubled as an “economic development multiplier” as more people use local businesses and restaurants.

Hiring for the North Haven facility was largely a

regional effort, according to Freda, who said the company sourced its workers from North Haven, New Haven, Hamden, East Haven, North Branford and Wallingford.

The company is expected to do the same in Stratford.

Wages at Amazon facilities typically started at $15 an hour regardless of full- or part-time status, the company said. That surpasses the Connecticut minimum wage of $11 and is slated to increase by a dollar each year until it hits $15 in 2023. Candidates seeking employment at a delivery station have to be at least 18 years old.

The Amazon spokesman said the part-time positions are prime opportunities for everyone from college students looking to make extra money to single parents who want a flexible schedule while their kids are at school.

Amazon also offers a variety of benefit packag-

es available for all employees, the spokesman said.

Compensation packages for employees at Amazon’s North Haven fulfillment center have featured what Freda called a “very generous” 401(k) match along with full health care and dental and full tuition reimbursement.

Stratford’s benefit packages will fit the position, however, with no guarantees, the company said.

The company has not released information on how many people it’s looking to hire, but it has already begun advertising job openings for the new location.

Stratford officials have said in previous interviews that the facility is slated to open in “spring, summer or fall” of next year.

Jordan Grice is a staff reporter with Hearst Connecticut Media. He can be reached at jordan.grice@ hearstmediact.com.

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DECEMBER 2, 2019

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Left to Right: Lauren C. Enea, Esq.; Anthony J. Enea, Esq.; Sara Meyers, Esq.; Richard Scanlan, Esq.; Samantha Lyons, Esq. (not pictured: Stella King, Esq.) Left to Right: Lauren C. Enea, Esq.; Anthony J. Enea, Esq.; Sara Meyers, Esq.; Richard Scanlan, Esq.; Samantha Lyons, Esq. (not pictured: Stella King, Esq.)

From top left: Pakeeza Alam, Ina Gjoni Allkanjari, Kelly Andersen, Amanda Ayala, Theresa Baker, Cathy Hoffman accepted on behalf of Tom Burbank, Nate Checketts, Michelle Colacion, Alexandra Cooley, Nicole Cuglietto, Amanda DiPreta, Laura Donovan, Lauren Enea, Rachel Gould, Rebecca Graziano, David Jones, Adam Kirshner, Brendan Klein, Manette Macias, Jillian McDonnell, Victoria McGruder, Chelsea Merola, Krystina Murawski, Tugba Pal, Loni Richards, Nitin Sekhri, Macki Mongillo accepted on behalf of Stelios Stavrianos, Nicole Thomas, Phoebe French accepted on behalf of Ken Tuccio, John Varamo, Cassandra Vogel and Adam C. Weiss.

Millennials urged to create legacies on social media

BY PETER KATZ pkatz@westfairinc.com

K

ris Ruby, CEO of White Plains-based Ruby Media Group, told those attending the 2019 Westfair Communications Millennial Awards ceremony that living in the social media age gives millennials

a unique opportunity to have a lasting impact. Ruby was the keynote speaker for the event that took place at Serafina at the Italian Club in Stamford.

“You have this huge opportunity to take the knowledge base that you have developed and acquired in your career starting now and record it.

You can record it in so many different ways that have not been available to people that have come before us,” she said.

Ruby, who has more than a dozen years of experience in public relations and has been a featured commentator on Fox News, CNBC, “Good Morning America” and other television stal-

warts, said millennials who are social media savvy have unique opportunities to create legacies incorporating the knowledge they accumulate throughout their careers.

“Just having all of this knowledge in and of itself in your brain isn’t enough.

I believe as leaders, and all of you are leaders in this

room today because you’ve won this award, we have the responsibility to pass knowledge on and one of the ways that I believe we can do that is through social media,” Ruby said.

One of her goals is to change the perception of women on television.

“Watch what people say about men when they’re on

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TV,” she said. “What they say is, ‘I heard what you had to say, you sounded really great.’ What do we say about women when they’re on TV? ‘You look great.’ And one of my key missions as a woman on television is to change that conversation. I want to change that conversation when we see a woman » MILLENNIALS

DECEMBER 2, 2019

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Congratulations to all the 2019 Millennial Award Winners especially our very own Tom Burbank!

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DECEMBER 2, 2019

www.atlanticwestchester.com

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Congratulations to all of the

2019 "Milli Award"winners on their wonderful achievements, especially our clients at: Amanda Ayala, Atlantic Westchester, Avanti Systems USA, CareMount Medical, Lever & Ecker PLLC and The SKG Team at Barnum Financial Group. buzz-creators.com | 914.358.5080

2019 HONOREES Pakeeza Alam Urongynecologist CareMount Medical Mount Kisco, NY Ina Gjoni Allkanjari Operations Manager Avanti Systems USA Greenwich, CT Kelly Andersen Marketing Director Wealth Continuum Group Wilton, CT Amanda Ayala Singer Mahopac, NY Theresa Baker Director, Health Care Sponsor Finance Webster Bank Stamford, CT Tom Burbank Vice president of Service Operations Atlantic Westchester Bedford Hills, NY

Nate Checketts Co-Founder & CEO Rhone Stamford, CT Michelle Colacion Senior Manager Deloitte Consulting Stamford, CT Alexandra Cooley COO & Co-Founder Greenworks Lending Darien, CT Nicole Cuglietto Attorney at Law Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP Stamford, CT Amanda DiPreta Art Director Catalyst Marketing Communications Stamford, CT Laura Donovan Founder Sonder Financial Wilton, CT

Lauren Enea Associate Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano LLP White Plains, NY Rachel Gould Accounting Manager Aquarion Water Company Bridgeport, CT Rebecca Graziano Associate Director of Marketing Westmed Medical Group Purchase, NY David Jones Certified Financial Planner The SKG Team at Barnum Financial Group Elmsford, NY Adam Kirshner Manager of Media and Metadata Operations WWE Stamford, CT Brendan Klein Youth Advocacy and Engagement Coordinator Westchester Institute for Human Development Valhalla, NY Manette Macias Research Chemist Hampford Research Stratford, CT Jillian McDonnell Sales Associate + Jeweler D’Errico Jewelry Scarsdale, NY Victoria McGruder Private Wealth Relationship Manager Merrill Private Wealth Greenwich, CT Chelsea Merola Creative Director Grande Cosmetics White Plains, NY

Krystina Murawski Owner & Founder Noomi Mamaroneck, NY Tugba Pal Assistant Director of Physician Relations Services Columbia Medical Center-Westchester Columbia Doctors White Plains, NY Loni Richards CEO & President Service After Service Shelton, CT Nitin Sekhri Medical Director of Pain Management and Co-Founder of WMC Headache Specialists Westchester Medical Center Valhalla, NY

Millennials — From page 15

on TV not to say, ‘you look great,’ but to say ‘you sounded great. I heard what you had to say and it resonated with me.’ ” She advised the millennials that as their careers progress they should surround themselves with people who will push them to greater heights and not to be content with “yes men.”

The master of ceremonies was Matt Scott, meteorologist and co-host on the Fox 61 Morning News on WTIC-TV in Hartford. The audience broke into laughter when he read some of the emails he received from viewers commenting on the accuracy of his weather forecasts.

“I wish I could get my job as wrong as much as you do and still get paid,” one viewer wrote. “Come to my house and shovel the 14 inches of partly cloudy you forecast out of my driveway, you little weasel,” another viewer complained.

One of the award recip-

Kris Ruby was the keynote speaker at the event.

ients, Amanda Ayala of Mahopac, has embarked on a singing career and appeared on the NBC program “The Voice.” After accepting her award, she surprised the audience by performing the song “Lost You,” which she composed and has been issued as her

latest single. Her previous singles, “Mississippi Queen” and “Edge of Seventeen” were listed on the top 100 iTunes Rock Chart in their initial releases.

The 32 millennials who received awards were selected by a panel of » MILLENNIALS

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Stelios Stavrianos Founder/CEO Cylinder Vodka Stamford, CT Nicole Thomas Vice president, Middle Market Relationship Manager Wells Fargo Bank Shelton, CT Ken Tuccio Founder/CEO Best Trivia Ever Norwalk, CT John Varamo Program Manager City of Stamford Stamford, CT Cassandra Vogel Counsel Yankwitt LLP White Plains, NY Adam C. Weiss Associate Attorney Lever & Ecker PLLC White Plains, NY

Making a mark Deloitte celebrates the creative forces in our community who think boldly and dream bigger.

Deloitte is proud to recognize the 2019 Millennial Award recipients, including our own, Michelle Colacion. www.deloitte.com Copyright © 2019 Deloitte Development LLC. All rights reserved.

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DECEMBER 2, 2019

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The UConn School of

MBA PROGRAMS

Business congratulates the

Full-Time / Part-Time / Executive

2019 Millennial Award Honorees.

SPECIALIZED MASTERS Accounting (Online) Business Analytics & Project Management Financial Risk Management Human Resource Management

UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS Business Data Analytics Digital Marketing and Analytics Financial Management Business Administration

www.business.uconn.edu

CONGRATULATIONS TO MANETTE MACIAS 2019 Millennial of the Year and all Distinguished Honorees Wishing you continued success, Peter, Patricia and Paige

600 Old Country Road, Suite 530, Garden City, New York 11530 516-240-5180 • patricia@powislaw.com • powislaw.com Elderlaw - Guardianship - Estates 18

DECEMBER 2, 2019

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Millennials —

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From page 17

experts for their entrepreneurial spirit, passion and the lasting impact they’ve been having in Westchester and Fairfield.

Instead of acceptance speeches, the recipients were asked to pretend that they were posting a photo of themselves accepting the award to Instagram and come up with a caption for the photo in six words or less.

“The future starts today, not tomorrow,” said McDonnell.

Varamo said, “The adventures continue tomorrow.” Alam made sure her six words reflected her professional specialty and said, “Let’s increase pelvic health awareness #millennials.” Gould said, “Thanks all who have inspired me.”

The presenting sponsor along with Westfair was the UConn School of Business.

The benefiting sponsor was the Connecticut Fund for the Environment, “Save the Sound.”

Innovators were Aquarion Water Company and Yale New Haven Health Greenwich Hospital.

Community leaders were: Enea Scanlan & Sirignano LLP; Wealth Continuum Group; Deloitte; Val’s Putnam Wines & Liquors; Westchester Institute for Human Development; and D’Errico Jewelry.

Mentors included: Barnum Financial Group - The SKG Team; CR, Rajni Menon; Center for Children’s Advocacy; Gloria Ferrer; kinapure; Blossom Flower; Webster Bank; Freixenet Mionetto; WWE; Le Caprice Paris; Intuitive Interiors; Perfect Provenance; Salt Cave; and Helen Ainson.

Vendors who were with Val’s included: Villa Ponzi; Cylinder Vodka; Sono 1420; and Litchfield Distillery.

1. Lauren Enea and Anthony J. Enea 2. From left: Chelsea Merola and Lisa Trombetta 3. From left: Claudia Artandi, Ariel Allkanjari and Ina Gjoni Allkanjari 4. From left: Seanna Lopes-Goodman, Loni Richards, Marilyn Forsythe and Alphonso Lymus 5. Jillian McDonnell 6. From left: Christina Dufour and Robin Koutsopolos 7. From left: Nicole Macias, Mikaela Dedona, Manette Macias and Jasmine Perez 8. Kristen Ruby and Matt Scott 9. From left: Marcia Pflug and Rajni Menon 10. From left: Isil Michelle Ulutas and Tugba Pal 11. Erica Jensen 12. From left: Keith Sherman, John Varamo and Roy Goldberg 13. From left: Jay Ragusa, Prem Itharat and Katie Divenuto 14. Amanda Ayala 15. From left: Courtney O’Donnell and Macki Mongillo

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Good Things GREENWICH HOSPITAL GARNERS TWO NATIONAL AWARDS

NORWALK BANK SUPPORTS RESIDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Greenwich Hospital was in the national spotlight recently as the recipient of two awards.

The Pinnacle of Excellence Award in Patient Experience from Press Ganey was awarded to Greenwich Hospital as well as the 2019 Guardian of Excellence Award in Patient Experience in the Emergency Department for consistently performing in the top 5% of all Press Ganey clients for each reporting period during the course of one year.

The awards were presented Nov. 18

by Press Ganey, which measures the patient experience.

Laura Waitz

GOODWILL WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBERS

CMG ADVISES H.J. BAKER ON FINANCING Located in Southport, Carter Morse & Goodrich (CMG) announced that it served as the exclusive financial advisor to H.J. Baker & Brothers LLC in its $100 million debt refinancing with BMO Harris Bank, a U.S. subsidiary of the Bank of Montreal.

The multinational debt package, which will be syndicated, included an asset-backed line of credit, a specialized equipment finance term loan as well as a cash flow-based term loan.

From left: Dean Trombetta, branch manager, Norwalk Bank & Trust; Justin Nash, STAR client and Norwalk resident; Katie Banzhaf, executive director, STAR; Peter Saverine, director of philanthropy, STAR; and Stacy Banzhaf, STAR client and Norwalk resident.

STAR Inc., Lighting the Way, located in Norwalk, was recently awarded a grant from Norwalk Bank & Trust to support its Birth-to-Three program.

A not—for-profit organization established in 1952 to serve individuals of all ages who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as providing support services

to their families, STAR creates opportunities for individuals to live full lives with independence, freedom of choice and personal growth by providing support, services and advocacy.

SUPPORT FOR STEM PROGRAMS

SAUGATUCK COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE: 2019 BEST OF WESTPORT AWARD Saugatuck Commercial Real Estate (SCRE) has been selected for the 2019 Best of Westport Award in the Commercial Real Estate Agency category by the Westport Award Program.

Each year, the program identifies companies that have achieved exceptional success in their local community and business category.

SCRE was formed by Penny P. Wickey in 2004 and is a full-service commercial real estate brokerage company in Westport. It is a nationally certified Woman Owned Enterprise representing retail and office tenants, landlords, developers and investors in leasing, sales and investments.

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

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DECEMBER 2, 2019

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Laura Waitz, executive vice president and chief of staff at Bankwell, has joined the board of Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut.

Also joining the board is Tom Catropa.

At the bank, Waitz is responsible for its operations and overseeing human resources, facilities and marketing.

Catropa serves as a partner/principal at EY, as well as a senior tax manager in the firm’s global compliance and reporting division.

Knowledge is Power

Be part of our comprehensive database of contacts.

From left: Laura McCabe, senior director of advocacy and strategic alliances for PhRMA; State Sen. Majority Leader Bob Duff; Aquarium President Jason Patlis; Tom Naiman, the Aquarium’s director of education; and Aquarium educator Avalon Bunge. Photo courtesy Maritime Aquarium.

State Sen. Majority Leader Bob Duff of Norwalk joined Laura McCabe, senior director of advocacy and strategic alliances of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), recently to announce a new educational grant to sup-

port The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk’s TeMPEST program for teens.

TeMPEST is a program at The Maritime Aquarium for students in grades 9 through 12 that focuses on science, engineering and the environment. In sessions

offered after school or on weekends, students use Aquarium resources to explore and experiment in such themes as sustainability, ecology and engineering.

It’s free to the students, thanks to gifts and grants from such Aquarium partners as PhRMA.

Visit westfaironline.com or scan below

STRATFORD CAREGIVER WINS COMPANY AWARD

Erin Tito, left, Macy’s Danbury store manager, presents a check to Fran Normann, executive director, Housatonic Habitat for Humanity.

HOUSATONIC HABITAT SUPPORTED

BY DEPARTMENT STORE Macy’s in Danbury donated $2,500 to Housatonic Habitat for Humanity to support the nonprofit’s mission of providing affordable housing to first-time homebuyers in the greater Danbury area. Macy’s and Housatonic Habitat have worked together for almost a decade.

BRBC WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS The Bridgeport Regional Business Council (BRBC) and its Chamber of Commerce affiliates in Bridgeport, Stratford and Trumbull, welcomed new members during October.

The new members include: DiRoma’s Pizza, Stratford; Bacarella Freight Services DBA BTX Global Logistics and ST Network in Shelton; Andrew B Davis; Bean N Batter; and Mags + Marrelli in Bridgeport.

Lena DiMatteo of Shelton, one of the founders of the DiMatteo Group, distributes gift bags to the golfers who participated in the tournament.

A personal care assistant at Assisted Living Services Inc. (ALS), Robin Soule of Stratford, was presented with the agency’s $5,000 Platinum Caregiver Award for the month of August.

Soule was chosen for the award based on the nomination from client Joe DeMichael and his wife Nancy.

She was presented with the ALS distinction at their home on Oct. 31.

From left: Mario D’Aquila, chief operating officer of Assisted Living Services Inc., presents Robin Soule with the company’s monthly $5,000 Platinum Caregiver Award for August, and Sharon Corriveau, ALS Fairfield branch director.

Photo courtesy of Assisted Living Services Inc.

A GREENWICH HOLIDAY TRADITION: REINDEER FESTIVAL AND SANTA’S VILLAGE

DIMATTEO FAMILY FOUNDATION: HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS TO AREA CHARITIES The 14th annual DiMatteo Family Charitable Foundation Golf Tournament benefited three local nonprofits and was enjoyed by 120 golfers at Oronoque Country Club in Stratford.

The tournament has distributed $412,000 in contributions to 13 charities since its inception.

During this year’s tournament, The DiMatteo Family Charitable Foundation raised $36,000 and the following charities each received a $12,000 donation: the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley in Shelton; Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital in Derby; and BHcare in Ansonia.

BARBERSHOP QUARTET TO PERFORM HOLIDAY CONCERT

PRINCIPALS IN TAX AND ADVISORY UNITS PROMOTED

Music lovers from Fairfield, Bridgeport, Westport, Southport and the surrounding area are invited to enjoy a special program of holiday and barbershop classics at Trinity Episcopal Church located at 651 Pequot Ave. in Southport on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 4 p.m.

The Newfangled Four, one of the top barbershop quartets in the U.S. from southern California, combines old-fashion slapstick humor with their quirky, youthful comedy. The group has appeared on Buzzfeed, Hallmark’s “Home and Family show,” the new “Gong Show” and has recorded custom tracks for the Lifetime Movie Network.

This one-time-only program is open to all members of the community. No affiliation with the church is required.

Ticket prices range from $15 to $65 per person. Call the church at 203-255-0454 for more information.

Prager Metis CPAs, an accounting and advisory firm with offices in North Amerca, Europe and Asia, announced the promotions of Dawn Minogue and Philip J. D’Angelo to principals in the tax and advisory departments of the firm. Minogue is based out of the firm’s New York city office and D’Angelo is based out of its Connecticut office.

Minogue specializes in tax and accounting services for clients in a variety of industries, including real estate, office design, space planning and commodity exporters.

D’Angelo provides executive-level, solution-oriented advisory and tax services to clients in a range of industries, including closely held businesses and entrepreneurial businesses, individuals and real estate holding companies.

Santa’s reindeer return for the 11th annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa’s Village located on 437 North St. at Sam Bridge

Nursery & Greenhouses, through Dec. 24.

The Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa’s Village is produced by TMK Event Mar-

keting LLC and GreenwichMoms.com.

For more details, visit Greenwichreindeerfestival.com.

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DECEMBER 2, 2019

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Facts & Figures BUILDING PERMITS Commercial Boender, Michael A., Port Chester, New York, contractor for Greenwich Avenue LP. Perform replacement alterations at 80 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich.

Estimated cost: $50,000. Filed September 2019.

Cebulski Construction Company Inc, Bridgeport, contractor for Greenwich Academy. Replace asphalt roof at 16 Ridgeview Ave., Greenwich.

Estimated cost: $12,000. Filed September 2019.

Devita, Carmine P., Cos Cob, contractor for Carmine P. Devita. Build pool house at 114 Hillcrest Park Road, Cos Cob. Estimated cost: $95,000. Filed September 2019.

MS Partners, Stamford, contractor for Pickwick Plaza Association. Renovate bridge, glass fronts and new roof at 3 Pickwick Plaza, Greenwich.

Estimated cost: $189,000. Filed September 2019.

Parish of Christ Church, Greenwich, contractor for Parish of Christ Church. Set up for a private party at 220 E. Putnam Ave., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $1,000. Filed September 2019.

Sentry Oak Property Management, Greenwich, contractor for Elliot Novitsky. Install Pergola at 18 Flower Lane, Riverside. Estimated cost: $5,000.

Filed September 2019.

Town of Greenwich, contractor for town of Greenwich.

Remove oil tank at 285 Sound Beach Ave., Old Greenwich.

Estimated cost: $22,000. Filed September 2019.

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: Bob Rozycki c/o Westfair Communications Inc. 701 Westchester Ave, Suite 100 J White Plains, N.Y. 10604-3407 Phone: 694-3600 • Fax: 694-3699

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DECEMBER 2, 2019

Town of Greenwich, contractor for town of Greenwich.

Remove oil tank at 180 East Elm St., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $30,000. Filed September 2019.

Town of Greenwich, contractor for town of Greenwich.

Remove oil tank at 309 Palmer Hill Road, Old Greenwich. Estimated cost: $45,000. Filed September 2019.

Town of Greenwich, contractor for town of Greenwich.

Renovate first-floor ceiling and lights at 90 Hendrie Ave., Greenwich.

Estimated cost: $110,000. Filed September 2019.

Town of Greenwich, contractor for town of Greenwich. Remove oil tank at 9 Indian Rock Lane, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $28,000. Filed September 2019.

Westchester Building & Design, West Harrison, New York, contractor for Willgreen Holdings LLC. Perform a demolition of office space at 140 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich.

Estimated cost: $40,000. Filed September 2019.

Residential Argus Development LLC, Old Greenwich, contractor for Gray and Lauren Hampton.

Renovate study, bedroom and front entry at 891 Lake Ave., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $346,871. Filed September 2019.

Atlantas Reliable Roofing Company, Atlanta, Georgia, contractor for Greenwich Oaks.

Remove and re-roof 255 Weaver St., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $37,054. Filed September 2019.

Atlantas Reliable Roofing Company, Atlanta, Georgia, contractor for Greenwich Oaks.

Remove and re-roof 255 Weaver St., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $48,648. Filed September 2019.

Atlantas Reliable Roofing Company, Atlanta, Georgia, contractor for Greenwich Oaks.

Remove and re-roof 255 Weaver St., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $52,189. Filed September 2019.

Belicka, Shirley M., Greenwich, contractor for Shirley M. Belicka. Construct new single-family residence at 55 Indian Harbor Drive, Greenwich.

Estimated cost: $800,000.

Filed September 2019.

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ON THE RECORD

Better Built Basements LLC, Berlin, contractor for Mahoney Gail. Remodel basement at 4A Idar Court, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $40,000. Filed September 2019.

Erb, Ryan D., Riverside, contractor for Ryan D. Erb. Rebuild single-family home at 26 Chapel Lane, Riverside. Estimated cost: $425,000. Filed September 2019.

Braun, Perry H and Vivi Braun, Greenwich, contractor for Perry H. Braun and Vivi Braun. Move Stairs, remove closets, construct new kitchen and replace doors at 27 Mooreland Road, Greenwich.

Estimated cost: $250,000. Filed September 2019.

Fairfield Contractors LLC, Stamford, contractor for Gregory Slattery. Perform replacement alterations at 269 Milbank Ave., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $10,000. Filed September 2019.

Braydan Construction LLC, Stamford, contractor for Robin and Sarah Varghese. Build new home with finished basement at 25 Turner Drive, Greenwich.

Estimated cost: $2,000,000.

Filed September 2019.

BRT Services LLC, Greenwich, contractor for Donald B. Walker. Remodel bathrooms at 129 Putnam Park, Greenwich.

Estimated cost: $22,000. Filed September 2019.

BRT Services LLC, Greenwich, contractor for Jaclyn Ward. Remodel kitchen and bath, replace cabinets and paint 22 Putnam Park, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $18,000.

Filed September 2019.

Burr Roofing & Siding, Stratford, contractor for Henry A. Hansen. Replace windows at 3 Pilgrim Drive, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $31,815. Filed September 2019.

Ceci Brothers Inc., Greenwich, contractor for Peter A. Harten. Construct retaining wall at garage, 162 Bedford Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $18,000. Filed September 2019.

DiGiorgio Roofing & Siding, Beacon Falls, contractor for Ozer and Banu Baysal. Remove and re-roof 1 Indian Knoll Place, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $10,377. Filed Setember 2019.

Duffy Construction Inc., Stamford, contractor for Mary Davidson. Upgrade bathrooms and add guest-bedroom reading lights at 96 E. Elm St, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $45,500. Filed September 2019.

Edmunson, Thomas and Lisa, Greenwich, contractor for Thomas Edmunson. Rebuild outdoor stairs and wall at 16 Stamwich Lane, Greenwich.

Estimated cost: $50,000. Filed September 2019.

Fay, Kevin, Greenwich, contractor for Kevin Fay. Place new roof at 30 Northfield St., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $1,500.

Filed September 2019.

Freydberg Jr., Irwin G., Greenwich, contractor for Irwin G. Freydberg Jr. Replace windows and doors at 59 Zaccheus Mead Lane, Greenwich.

Estimated cost: $50,000. Filed September 2019.

Haslun, Kelley C., Cos Cob, contractor for Kelley C. Haslun.

Remove and replace sheetrock, plumbing fixtures, tiles and wood floor at 18 Cottontail Road, Cos Cob. Estimated cost: $12,000. Filed September 2019.

Jarman LLC, Greenwich, contractor for Bradley Richards.

Relocate pool filters at 16 Chimney Corner Lane, Greenwich.

Estimated cost: $20,000. Filed September 2019.

Lower New York Remodeling LLC, Stamford, contractor for John D. Chadwick. Install elevator — first to second floor — at 31 Hillcrest Park Road, Old Greenwich. Estimated cost: $50,000. Filed September 2019.

Mann, Lawrence J. and Irene A. W. Mann, Cos Cob, contractor for Lawrence J. Mann.

Remove and re-roof 9 Meadow Dive, Cos Cob. Estimated cost: $7,000. Filed September 2019.

Mullen, Charles, Norwalk, contractor for Kenneth M. and Pame Corriveau. Construct swimming pool and safety barrier at 120 Hillcrest Park Road, Riverside. Estimated cost: $37,500. Filed September 2019.

Namin, Samid and Karen Harris, Greenwich, contractor for Samid Namin. Renovate kitchen and baths at 11 Hallock Drive, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $75,000. Filed September 2019.

Noble Construction Management Inc., South Salem, New York, contractor for 54 Pecksland LLC. Construct swimming pool and safety barrier at 54 Pecksland Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $20,000. Filed September 2019.

Ocean North Pools LLC, Stamford, contractor for Carmine P. DeVita. Construct swimming pool and safety barrier at 114 Hillcrest Park Road, Cos Cob. Estimated cost: $53,000. Filed September 2019.

Radice, Linda, Greenwich, contractor for Linda Radice.

Replace windows at 59 Putnam Park, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $1,560. Filed September 2019.

Rugg, Joseph, Greenwich, contractor for Joseph Rugg.

Add new sunroom, master bath and closets at 34 Carrington Drive, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $200,000. Filed September 2019.

Servidio Landscaping LLC, New Canaan, contractor for Ryan Hunter. Perform replacement alterations at 50 Burying Hill Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $2,000. Filed September 2019.

Signature Pools, Norwalk, contractor for Peter Salce and Debbie. Construct swimming pool and safety barrier at 93 Clapboard Ridge Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $150,000.

Filed September 2019.

Signature Pools, Norwalk, contractor for 269 Palmers Hill Road LLC. Construct swimming pool and safety barrier at 16 Hillcrest Lane, Old Greenwich. Estimated cost: $82,500.

Filed September 2019.

SLS Construction, Greenwich, contractor for Gail A. Monchik. Replace roof at 185 Shore Road, Old Greenwich.

Estimated cost: $18,000. Filed September 2019.

Sunrun Installation Services, Hartford, contractor for Si Wei and Fan Zengpan. Install roof-top solar panel at 7 Pilgrim Drive, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $10,179. Filed September 2019.

United Cleaning & Restorations, Middlefield, contractor for Christopher Baxendale.

Construct kitchen over existing deck at 23 Near Water Lane, Old Greenwich. Estimated cost: $25,000. Filed September 2019.

Villwell Builders LLC, Waterbury, contractor for Robert Hemsen. Replace roof at 9 Bonwit Road, Riverside. Estimated cost: $10,945. Filed September 2019.

White Birch Builders LLC, Greenwich, contractor for Jon Erensen. Finish basement, laundry room and bathroom at 12 Watch Tower Lane, Old Greenwich. Estimated cost: $28,000. Filed September 2019.

Yankee Customer Builders Inc., New Canaan, contractor for Richard Zannino. Construct new single-family residence at 30 Lismore Lane. Greenwich.

Estimated cost: $2,600,000.

Filed September 2019.

COURT CASES Bridgeport Superior Court Donohue, Luke D., et al, Fairfield. Filed by Jo M. Chang, Danbury. Plaintiff’s attorney: Ventura Law, Danbury. Action: The plaintiff suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendants and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate.

Case no. FBT-CV-19-6090842-S. Filed Oct. 21.

Flores, Edward Francisco, Trumbull. Filed by Joel Palacios Perez, Yonkers, New York.

Plaintiff’s attorney: Barr & Morgan, Stamford. Action: The plaintiff was a pedestrian when he suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendant’s vehicle and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate.

Case no. FBT-CV-19-6090426-S. Filed Oct. 7.

Joseph, Marie Carol, et al, Bridgeport. Filed by Karl Nicholson, Bridgeport. Plaintiff’s attorney: John J Luckart Jr., Bridgeport. Action: The plaintiff suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendants and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no.

FBT-CV-19-6090731-S. Filed Oct. 16.

Facts & Figures Loux, Darren, et al, Monroe.

Filed by Wendy Zelanin, Shelton. Plaintiff’s attorney: Miller Rosnick D’Amico August & Butler P, Bridgeport. Action: The plaintiff was a pedestrian when she suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendants’ vehicle and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate.

Case no. FBT-CV-19-6090816-S. Filed Oct. 21.

Najmowicz, Jeffrey, Bethany. Filed by Hamilton Bosse, Bridgeport. Plaintiff’s attorney: Joseph P Rigoglioso, Shelton.

Action: The plaintiff suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendant and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. FBTCV19-6090218-S. Filed Sept. 30.

Danbury Superior Court Giano, John d.b.a.Casa Residential, Pawley’s Island, South Carolina. Filed by Bruce Taylor Heavy Equipment Repair & Emergency Vehicle Services Inc., Brookfield. Plaintiff’s attorney: Carreira and Wojciechowski LLC, New Preston. Action: The plaintiff provided repair services to the defendant’s machine. The defendant failed to pay the balance due for labor and materials provided. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages that are less than $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs.

Case no. DBD-CV-19-6033694-S. Filed Sept. 20.

Pinhiero, Isaias Guedes, Danbury. Filed by Maria Sargento, Danbury. Plaintiff’s attorney: Moore O’Brien & Foti, Middlebury. Action: The plaintiff was a patron in a hair salon when the defendant allegedly caused a hot iron to fall onto the plaintiff’s face, thereby causing the plaintiff to sustain injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. DBD-CV19-6034003-S. Filed Oct. 16.

Stendbergh, Linse E., a.k.a.

Linse E. Menz, Newtown.

Filed by Wendy M. Moores, Stamford. Plaintiff’s attorney: Ury & Moskow LLC, Fairfield.

Action: The plaintiff suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendant and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. DBD-CV19-6034245-S. Filed Nov. 4.

Tails of Courage Inc., Danbury. Filed by Greenland Construction Services LLC, Brookfield. Plaintiff’s attorney: Randall J Carreira, New Preston. Action: The plaintiff provided construction services to the defendant’s premises. The defendant failed to pay the balance due for labor and materials provided. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs. Case no. DBD-CV-196033988-S. Filed Oct. 15.

Talreja, Rekha, et al, Danbury. Filed by American Express National Bank, Salt Lake City, Utah. Plaintiff’s attorney: Zwicker and Associates PC, Enfield. Action: The plaintiff is a banking association from which the defendants used a credit account and agreed to make payments for goods and services. The defendants failed to make payments. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs. Case no. DBDCV-19-6034105-S. Filed Oct. 23.

Stamford Superior Court BMW of North America LLC, Hartford. Filed by Ronald Rosa, New Canaan. Plaintiff’s attorney: Sergei Lemberg, Wilton.

Action: The plaintiff purchased a vehicle from the defendant.

The defendant promised to repair any defective components in the vehicle. Moreover, plaintiff discovered that the vehicle’s engine contains a manufacturing defect, which causes it to consume engine oil at an extremely rapid rate. The plaintiff seeks a full refund and monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs. Case no. FST-CV-196043903-S. Filed Oct. 3.

Eagle Way Logistics Inc., Shelton. Filed by Wilfredo Ricci, Stamford. Plaintiff’s attorney: John Della Jacono, White Plains, New York. Action: The plaintiff was a pedestrian when she suffered a collision allegedle caused by the defendant’s vehicle and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate.

Case no. FST-CV-19-6044248-S. Filed Oct. 28.

Travelers Home and Marine Insurance Co, Hartford.

Filed by Kristen Tumminello, Brewster, New York. Plaintiff’s attorney: Wofsey Rosen Kweskin & Kuriansky LLP, Stamford.

Action: The plaintiff suffered a collision caused by the defendant and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief as the court deems appropriate.

Case no. FST-CV-19-6044150-S. Filed Oct. 22.

Walmart Inc., East Hartford.

Filed by Wilner Bazile, Norwalk. Plaintiff’s attorney: Papcsy Janosov Roche, Norwalk.

Action: The plaintiff was lawfully walking on the premises of the defendant when he was caused to slip and fall causing him painful injuries. The fall was allegedly caused by the negligence of the defendant for not keeping the premises safe.

The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. FST-CV-196044060-S. Filed Oct. 16.

Williams, Mark A., Stamford.

Filed by Micherlange Philis, Stamford. Plaintiff’s attorney: The Pickel Law Firm LLC, Stamford. Action: The plaintiff was a pedestrian when she suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendant’s vehicle and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. FST-CV-19-6043910-S. Filed Oct. 4.

Commercial

Needle, Charles M., et al, Greenwich. Seller: Cassandra L. Tribble and Claude Johnson, Greenwich. Property: 49 Rockwood Lane, Greenwich.

Amount: $1. Filed Aug. 12.

119 Old Church Road LLC, McLean, Virginia. Seller: Douglas E. Lavin, McLean, Virginia.

Property: 119 Old Church Road, Greenwich. Amount: $1. Filed Aug. 9.

Ridgefield Town of Conservation Commission, Ridgefield. Seller: Sturges Brothers Inc., Ridgefield. Property: Barry Avenue, open space, Ridgefield.

Amount: $0. Filed Aug. 16.

64 Oneida Drive LLC, Greenwich. Seller: Lawrence D. Sperling and Jane A. Sperling, Greenwich. Property: 569 Indian Field Road, Greenwich.

Amount: $3,440,000. Filed Aug. 5.

Schreck, Daniel C. and Anne M. Schreck, Cos Cob. Seller: Wells Fargo Bank NA, Greenwich. Property: 732 Lake Ave., Greenwich. Amount: $1,450,000. Filed Aug. 2.

DEEDS

Brissen, Violette, Ridgefield.

Seller: Wells Fargo Bank NA, Ridgefield. Property: 17 Druid Lane, Ridgefield. Amount: $399,900. Filed Aug. 6.

Byrne Jr., Stephen Platt, Irvington, New York. Seller: Michelle M. Baizer, Greenwich.

Property: 94 Riversville Road, Greenwich. Amount: $10. Filed Aug. 2.

Dio Long LLC, Long Island City, New York. Seller: Peter Palazzo, Mohegan Lake, New York. Property: 788 N. Salem Road, Ridgefield. Amount: $860,000. Filed Aug. 2.

Greenwich Properties LLC, New York, New York. Seller: 200 Greenwich Avenue LLC, Greenwich. Property: 200 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich. Amount: $0.

Filed Aug. 2.

Heagney, John and Nicole Nahas, Greenwich. Seller: 64 Byram Shore LLC, Greenwich.

Property: 64 Byram Shore Road, Greenwich. Amount: $997,000. Filed Aug. 2.

Holm, Douglas, New York, New York. Seller: 47 Arcadia Road LLC, Greenwich. Property: 47 Arcadia Road, Greenwich.

Amount: $2,720,000. Filed Aug. 1.

Masi, Philip, Greenwich. Seller: Manuel A. DeJesus and Blanca V. DeJesus, Greenwich. Property: 40 Pemberwick Road, Greenwich. Amount: $825,000.

Filed Aug. 6.

Miller, Karla S., Princeton, New Jersey. Seller: Courtland LLC, Stamford. Property: 14 Kernan Place, Old Greenwich.

Amount: $1,700,000. Filed Aug. 6.

Seecon Field Point LLC, Wilton. Seller: Sky Fieldpoint LLC, New Canaan. Property: 421 Field Point Road, Greenwich.

Amount: $1. Filed Aug. 2.

Thompson Family Trust, Greenwich.

Seller: Judith Thompson, Greenwich. Property: 30 Oneida Drive, Greenwich. Amount: $1. Filed Aug. 1.

Vatici, Shtjefen, Ridgefield.

Seller: LPD Properties LLC, Ridgefield. Property: 113 Danbury Road, Units 1 and 2, Ridgefield. Amount: $1,000,000.

Filed Aug. 2.

Residential Alibay, Farez, Staten Island, New York. Seller: Ryan Murphy, Greenwich. Property: 329 Riversville Road, Greenwich.

Amount: $2,175,000. Filed Aug. 8.

Beshoory, John Philip, Greenwich. Seller: John P. Beshoory and Pamela A. Beshoory, Greenwich. Property: 126 Stonehedge Drive North, Greenwich. Amount: $10. Filed Aug. 5.

Canning, Cheryl A., Bedford, New York. Seller: Patricia M. Welton, Ridgefield. Property: 27 Adams Road, Ridgefield.

Amount: $458,100. Filed Aug. 15.

Caspi, Joshua and Morgan Caspi, Greenwich. Seller: Thomas E. McAuley, Greenwich. Property: 18 Pinecroft Road, Greenwich. Amount: $4,050,000. Filed Aug. 1.

Cheng, Steven L. and Tracy Yeung, Rye, New York.

Seller: Mark Brian Palmer and William Donald Palmer, Greenwich. Property: 2 Booth Terrace, Greenwich. Amount: $659,000. Filed Aug. 1.

FCBJ

Cohen, Itzhak and Michaelan Cohen, Greenwich.

Seller: John A. McKenna Jr, Greenwich. Property: 110 Londonderry Drive, Greenwich.

Amount: $2,175,000. Filed Aug. 6.

Davis, Kevin M. and Laura M. Davis, Ridgefield. Seller: Christine A. Conklin, Ridgefield. Property: 16 Lawson Lane, Ridgefield. Amount: $333,000.

Filed Aug. 5.

Egan, Michael and Danielle Egan, Pleasantville, New York.

Seller: Jason T. Cherry and Bicole M. Cherry, Ridgefield.

Property: 197 Haviland Road, Ridgefield. Amount: $1,210,000.

Filed Aug. 7.

Fisher, Erica M., Stamford.

Seller: Barbara S. Brownstein, Greenwich. Property: 101 Lewis St., Unit J, Greenwich. Amount: $1,150,000. Filed Aug. 8.

Gaudreau, Justin Daniel and Ann Florence Gaudreau, Grafton, Massachusetts. Seller: Raymond A. Piniella and Diane M. Piniella, Ridgefield. Property: 41A Catoonah St., Ridgefield.

Amount: $1,060,000. Filed Aug. 1.

Giordano, Matthew J. and Sarah Giordano, Suffern, New York. Seller: Michael A. Latauska, Ridgefield. Property: 22 Abbott Ave., Ridgefield. Amount: $406,500. Filed Aug. 15.

Grisanti, Mark and Monica Grisanti, Greenwich. Seller: Julia Chiappetta, Cos Cob. Property: 62 Valley Road, Cos Cob. Amount: $995,000. Filed Aug. 12.

Grothe, Thomas Manuel and Taylor Laine Grothe, Greenwich. Seller: An-Tong Ferdinand Seibert and Vladina Hess Seibert, Greenwich. Property: 9 Hillside Drive, Greenwich.

Amount: $0. Filed Aug. 5.

Hefele, Timothy and Rosana Ragusa, Port Chester, New York. Seller: Sally Ann Dy, Woburn, Massachusetts. Property: 66 Grove St., Unit B-9, Ridgefield. Amount: $540,000. Filed Aug. 13.

Hughes, Leah, Ridgefield.

Seller: Irene G. Falcinelli, Ridgefield. Property: 37 Gilbert St., Ridgefield. Amount: $435,000.

Filed Aug. 14.

DECEMBER 2, 2019

23

Facts & Figures Insinga, Anthony and Tania Insinga, Bellmore, New York.

Seller: Robert E. Essig and Carol A. Essig, Ridgefield. Property: 71 Flat Rock Drive, Ridgefield.

Amount: $490,000. Filed Aug. 15.

Ponce de Leon, Andreas and Samantha Ponce de Leon, Rockport, Massachusetts. Seller: Tehri A. Gasparini, Ridgefield. Property: 26 Arrowhead Place, Ridgefield. Amount: $1,040,000. Filed Aug. 14.

Keith, Dana Runnells and Barker C. Keith, Riverside.

Seller: Robert J. Sweeney and Ellen D. Sweeney, Greenwich.

Property: 110 Meadow Road, Riverside. Amount: $10. Filed Aug. 7.

Rao, Kishore D. and Alison Dickinson-Rao, Ridgefield.

Seller: Michael A. Martin and Margaret Flynn Martin, Ridgefield. Property: 12 Jackson Court, Ridgefield. Amount: $1,775,000. Filed Aug. 8.

Kenna, Roger Andrew and Sadie Elizabeth Coverdill, Houston, Texas. Seller: Mark J. Francis and Lynn T. Francis, Ridgefield. Property: 35 Blacksmith Ridge Road, Ridgefield.

Amount: $1,550,000. Filed Aug. 13.

Rizzo, Andre and Daniela Paiva Rizzo, Old Greenwich.

Seller: Jonathan K. Gale and Stephanie A. Gale, Old Greenwich. Property: 21 Hendrie Drive, Old Greenwich. Amount: $2,175,000. Filed Aug. 7.

Kolt, Gavin Matthew, Jersey City, New Jersey. Seller: Shereen Abdel-Meguid, Riverside. Property: 23 Chapel Lane, Riverside.

Amount: $2,370,000. Filed Aug. 2.

Rudolph, Danielle K. and Richard J. Cohen, Riverside.

Seller: Steven V. Krasnica and Alexandra M. Krasnica, Cos Cob. Property: 36 Valley wood Road, Greenwich. Amount: $1,225,000. Filed Aug. 1.

Lopez, Gersom and Sara Lopez, Ridgefield. Seller: Michael Jennings and Maria Teresa Jennings, Stamford. Property: 7 Pine Lake Road, Ridgefield.

Amount: $587,450. Filed Aug. 6.

Russo, Sarah A. and Robert W. Russo, Old Greenwich. Seller: Shannon Buggy, Old Greenwich. Property: 17 Edgewater Drive, Old Greenwich. Amount: $0. Filed Aug. 2.

Loureiro, Ana M., New Haven. Seller: Lysa A. Smart and Steven Smart, Ridgefield. Property: 1 Teaberry Lane, Ridgefield. Amount: $205,000. Filed Aug. 13.

Salta, Brian Rosse B. and Ma Elaine B. Salta, Yonkers, New York. Seller: Vital Vayness and Laura Vayness, Ridgefield.

Property: 393 N. Salem Road, Ridgefield. Amount: $429,500.

Filed Aug. 7.

Magee, Timothy and Julie Magee, Ridgefield. Seller: Russell D. Jay and Tina Arao-Jay, Ridgefield. Property: 51 Silver Hill Road, Ridgefield. Amount: $700,000. Filed Aug. 9.

Martin, Margaret Flynn, Ridgefield. Seller: Martin W. Flaherty and Kathleen Flaherty, Ridgefield. Property: 43 West Lane, Ridgefield. Amount: $830,000. Filed Aug. 9.

McKeegan, David and Carrie McKeegan, Briarcliff, New York. Seller: Edgar Allan Rowe III and Weslee Rowe, Ridgefield. Property: 110 High Ridge Ave., Ridgefield. Amount: $1,045,000. Filed Aug. 14.

Moncayo, John J., Stamford.

Seller: Jeffrey Kramer, Ridgefield. Property: 1 Apricot Lane, Unit 1, Ridgefield. Amount: $225,000. Filed Aug. 13.

Picone, Thomas and Suzanne Wilson, Trumbull. Seller: Rita E. Turgeon, Ridgefield.

Property: 2 Ridgebury Road, Ridgefield. Amount: $350,000.

Filed Aug. 6.

24

DECEMBER 2, 2019

Savage Dawn, Gabrielle, Norwalk. Seller: Foster Jeremy Main, Delaplane, Virginia.

Property: 19-60 Prospect Ridge, Ridgefield. Amount: $500,000.

Filed Aug. 2.

Schlageter, Stephanie and Gary Michael Tuorto Jr. Stamford. Seller: Kerry A. Hagan, Ridgefield. Property: 14 Bobbys Court, Ridgefield.

Amount: $420,000. Filed Aug. 2.

Sluss, Travis M. and Samantha P. Kretmar, Greenwich.

Seller: Shayna D. Wolf, Stamford. Property: 130 N. Water St., Greenwich. Amount: $710,000.

Filed Aug. 5.

Smith, Kyle and Hanna Smith, Ridgefield. Seller: Valory R. Munroe and Florie Munroe, Ridgefield. Property: 46 Blackman Road, Ridgefield.

Amount: $700,000. Filed Aug. 14.

FCBJ

Sotzing, Christopher Carson, Boston, Massachusetts.

Seller: Andrew Volz, Greenwich. Property: 5 Lockwood Drive, Greenwich. Amount: $1,455,000. Filed Aug. 2.

Thomas, Scott A., Ridgefield.

Seller: Suzanne M. Pommer and Michael D. Pommer. Ridgefield. Property: 22 Shields Lane, Ridgefield. Amount: $659,000.

Filed Aug. 13.

Valentino, Joseph and Marie Petilli, Yonkers, New York. Seller: Richard Mincer and Deanne Mincer, Ridgefield. Property: 16 Fulling Mill Lane, Ridgefield.

Amount: $605,000. Filed Aug. 14.

White, Celsea Elizabeth, Ridgefield. Seller: Kristen A. Salley, Ridgefield. Property: 633 Danbury Road, Unit 25, Ridgefield. Amount: $255,000. Filed Aug. 9.

Xie, Tao and Sun Yixin, Southbury. Seller: Linda Allen, Ridgefield. Property: 58 Round Lake Road, Ridgefield. Amount: $580,000. Filed Aug. 9.

FORECLOSURES Bennet, Douglas, et al. Creditor: HSBC Bank USA National Association, Fort Mill, South Carolina. Property: 178 Glen Ridge Road, Fairfield. Mortgage default. Filed Aug. 6.

Geronimos, Emmanuel, et al. Creditor: JPMorgan Chase Bank National Association, Jacksonville, Florida. Property: 180 Round Hill Road, Greenwich. Mortgage default. Filed Oct. 21.

Ho Hong Chen and Mel Chu Chou. Creditor: Immanuel Holdings LLC, Oakton, Virginia.

Property: 161 Pecksland Road, Greenwich. Mortgage default.

Filed Sep. 19.

Hurley, Brian, et al. Creditor: Admiral Packaging Inc., Providence, Rhode Island. Property: 120 Merwins Lane, Fairfield.

Mortgage default. Filed Aug. 16.

Incorp Services. Creditor: CIT Bank, Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Property: 27 Jefferson Drive, Ridgefield. Mortgage default.

Filed Aug. 5.

J. Christopher de Weaver, et al. Creditor: Webster Bank NA, Waterbury. Property: 18 Dwight Lane, Greenwich. Mortgage default. Filed Nov. 18.

Johnston, Davis E., et al.

Creditor: CitiMortgage Inc, Ewing, New Jersey. Property: 401 Oldfield Road, Fairfield. Mortgage default. Filed Sept. 26.

Kotz, Richard, et al. Creditor: US Bank Trust NA, Irvine, California. Property: 215 Bedford Road, Greenwich. Mortgage default. Filed Nov. 12.

Diagnose, Shari, et al. Creditor: US Bank Trust National Association, Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Property: Lot 4, Map 217, Fairfield. Mortgage default.

Filed Nov. 2.

Smith, Frank J., et al. Creditor: Capital One NA, Irvine, California. Property: 263 Riversville Road, Greenwich. Mortgage default. Filed Sept. 26.

JUDGMENTS Armstrong, Charles, Bridgeport. $1,691, in favor of Barclays Bank Delaware, Wilmington, Delaware, by the Law Offices of Howard Lee Schiff PC, East Hartford. Property: 55 Keeler Ave., Bridgeport. Filed Oct. 10.

Cevallos, Orlando, Bridgeport. $3,015, in favor of Catch LLC, Greenville, South Carolina, by the Law Offices of Howard Lee Schiff PC, East Hartford.

Property: 260 Madison Terrace, Bridgeport. Filed Setp. 18.

Cherestal, Jean, Bridgeport. $889, in favor of Cavalry SPV I LLC, Valhalla, New York, by Girvin & Ferlazzo PC, Albany, New York. Property: 346 Salem St., Bridgeport. Filed Oct. 4.

Dixon, Doris, et al, Bridgeport. $1,346, in favor of Credit Acceptance Corp., Southfield, Michigan, by Nair & Levin PC, Bloomfield. Property: 1817 Chopsey Hill Road, Bridgeport.

Filed Oct. 10.

Ferreira, Steven, Bridgeport. $2,276, in favor of Cavalry SPV I, LLC, Valhalla, New York, by Girvin & Ferlazzo PC, Albany, New York. Property: 424 Summit St., Bridgeport. Filed Oct. 4.

Fogle, Brian, et al, Oxford. $24,015, in favor of the state of Connecticut, Hartford, by Hartford attorney general. Property: 141 Prince St., Bridgeport. Filed Sept. 19.

Goossen, Benjamin, Bridgeport. $1,162, in favor of Midland Funding LLC, San Diego, California, by Schreiber Law LLC, Salem, New Hampshire. Property: 90 Wilson St., Bridgeport.

Filed Sept. 18.

Hoyt, Judith, Bridgeport. $1,188, in favor of Bridgeport Anesthesia Associates PC, Bridgeport, by Gambardella, Cipriano, Gottlieb & Hathaway PC, Hamden. Property: 365 Remington St., Bridgeport.

Filed Sept. 18.

Tyrell, Windell, Bridgeport. $4,986, in favor of Absolute Resolutions Investments LLC, Bridgeport, by Cohen, Burns, Hard & Paul, West Hartford.

Property: 280 Pixlee Place, Bridgeport. Filed Sept. 20.

Hyatt, Patrick, et al, Bridgeport. $7,786, in favor of Norwalk Hospital Association, Norwalk,

by Lovejoy and Rimer PC, Norwalk. Property: 75 Vanguard St., Bridgeport. Filed Sept. 17.

Winer, Jason, et al, Bridgeport. $5,687, in favor of Coralys Negron and Francisco Negron, Derby, by Consumer Law Group LLC, Rocky Hill. Property: 2370 North Ave., Unit 4D, Bridgeport. Filed Oct. 1.

Martinez, Milton, Bridgeport. $2,644, in favor of Danbury Hospital, Danbury, by Flanagan & Peat, Danbury. Property: 94 Steuben St., Bridgeport. Filed Sept. 18.

Witter, Icilda V., Bridgeport. $24,969, in favor of Cavalry SPV I, LLC, Valhalla, New York, by Girvin & Ferlazzo PC, Albany, New York. Property: 429 Salem St., Bridgeport. Filed Oct. 4.

Parker, Lillie, Bridgeport. $345, in favor of LVNV Funding LLC, Las Vegas, Nevada, by the Law Offices of Howard Lee Schiff PC, East Hartford. Property: 30 Jennings Ave. Bridgeport. Filed Sept. 18.

Perez, David, Bridgeport. $12,690, in favor of Cuda & Associates LLC, Bridgeport, by Mancini, Provenzano & Futtner LLC, Southington. Property: 1135 Chopsey Hill Road, Bridgeport. Filed Sept. 20.

Ramos, Norma, Bridgeport. $2,595, in favor of The Southern Connecticut Gas Corp., Orange,

by Nair & Levin PC, Bloomfield. Property: 149 Broadway, Bridgeport. Filed Sept. 20.

Rodriguez, Angel, Bridgeport. $6,396, in favor of Absolute Resolutions Investments LLC, Bridgeport, by Cohen, Burns, Hard & Paul, West Hartford. Property: 458 Hawley Ave., Bridgeport. Filed Sept. 13.

Serrano, Ismael, Bridgeport.

N/A in favor of LVNV Funding LLC, Las Vegas, Nevada, by the Law Offices of Howard Lee Schiff PC, East Hartford. Property: 124 Read St., Bridgeport.

Filed Sept. 18.

Shuler, Jenett, Bridgeport. $1,184, in favor of LVNV Funding LLC, Las Vegas, Nevada, by the Law Offices of Howard Lee Schiff PC, East Hartford. Property: 167 Carnegie Ave., Bridgeport. Filed Sept. 18.

Thaqi, Mark, Bridgeport. $3,400, in favor of Ford Motor Credit Company LLC, Livonia, Michigan, by Nair & Levin PC, Bloomfield. Property: 244 Seaview Ave., Bridgeport. Filed Oct. 7.

LIENS Federal Tax Liens Filed Becker, Ellen, 59 Courtland Ave., Unit 1A, Stamford. $1,795, civil proceeding tax. Filed June 12.

Cordeiro, Marie, 23 Goodwin St., Stamford. $553, civil proceeding tax. Filed June 10.

Crescent Development Corp., South Park Avenue, Easton. $1,133, civil proceeding tax. Filed June 10.

Crow, John C. and Susan Leah Crow, 47 Pepper Ridge, Stamford. $6,108, civil proceeding tax. Filed June 10.

Cummings, Frank Robert, 47 Lancaster Place, Stamford. $9,406, civil proceeding tax.

Filed June 10.

Daddona, Cynthia Ann, 81 Minivale Road, Stamford. $3,854, civil proceeding tax.

Filed June 10.

Dahm, Dorothy A. and Dennis Dahm, 24 Idlewood Drive, Stamford. $10,200, civil proceeding tax. Filed June 10.

Daly, David W., 91 Strawberry Hill Ave., Stamford. $2,672, civil proceeding tax. Filed June 10.

Daniels, Monica, 14 Catoona Lane, Stamford. $998, civil proceeding tax. Filed June 10.

Harte, Maurice S., 49 Stone Wall Drive, Stamford. $10,205, civil proceeding tax. Filed June 12.

Facts & Figures Henley, Douglas and Licia Kendall, 29 Ann St., Stamford. $4,496, civil proceeding tax.

Filed June 12.

Karron, Caroline, 27 Berrian Road, Stamford. $774, civil proceeding tax. Filed June 12.

Vitanza, Michael J., 50 Middlebury St., Stamford. $3,753, civil proceeding tax. Filed June 11.

Hertzog, Thomas, 27 Northill St., Stamford. $95, civil proceeding tax. Filed June 12.

KECE Properties LLC, 110 Prospect St., Stamford. $376, civil proceeding tax. Filed June 12.

Vitti, Carol A., 5 Edice Road, Stamford. $4,718, civil proceeding tax. Filed June 11.

JMM Investments Fairfield LLC, 91 Georgetown Road, Weston. $6,524, civil proceeding tax. Filed June 12.

Ventura, Frank Trustee, 61 High Point Road, Westport $7,038, civil proceeding tax.

Filed June 11.

Weinstein, Seth G., 905 Rock Rimmon Road, Stamford. $17,104, civil proceeding tax.

Filed June 11.

Johnson, Fred, 26 Chestnut St., Stamford. $1,050, civil proceeding tax. Filed June 12.

Verille, Wanda and Paul L. Verille, 65 Charles St., Stamford. $8,756, civil proceeding tax. Filed June 11.

Weiss, Ronald, 1263 Westover Road, Unit 1, Stamford. $1,219, civil proceeding tax. Filed June 11.

Vetter, Robert M. and Renee Vetter, 114 Long Hill Drive, Stamford. $4,727, civil proceeding tax. Filed June 11.

Mechanic’s Liens

Kahn, Melvin and Tracey Kahn, 52 Breezy Hill Road, Stamford. $2,581, civil proceeding tax. Filed June 12.

Katz, Sultana, 316 Shippan Ave., Stamford. $12,513, civil proceeding tax. Filed June 12.

Villamil, Carlos, 32 Arrowhead Drive, Stamford. $8,956, civil proceeding tax. Filed June 11.

Research Associate (Greenwich, CT): Research and develop quantitative investment strategies related to global asset allocation, specializing in macro and global fixed income strategies. Conduct portfolio management of macro and fixed income products and strategies firmwide. Collaborate with researchers, portfolio managers, risk managers, and traders to develop new and improve current investment strategies. Req’s PhD degr., plus knowledge or experience in the following must have been gained through academic research and/or coursework: conducting empirical research and analysis with large data sets; econometrics or statistics; modern financial theories and related fields in optimization and probability theory; and programming in MATLAB or Python to implement financial models and analyze complex datasets.Mail resume to: AQR Capital Management, LLC, ATTN: S. Rao, 2 Greenwich Plaza, Greenwich, CT 06830. Must Ref: DR-AQR-004.

Research Associate (Greenwich, CT): Conduct theoretical and empirical financial research. Prepare financial reports for internal clients, external clients, and regulatory bodies. Research and develop financial strategies related to global stock selection, asset allocation, and risk management. Collaborate with other researchers, portfolio managers,risk managers and traders to develop new and improve current investment strategies.

Req’s PhD degr, plus knowledge or experience in the following must have been gained through academic research and/or coursework: Conducting empirical financial research and analyzing large financial data sets; econometrics or statistics; and, programming in MATLAB. Mail resume to: AQR Capital Management, LLC, ATTN: S. Rao, 2 Greenwich Plaza, Greenwich, CT 06830. Must Ref: AL003AQRCT. Analyst (Greenwich, CT): Monitor the market, credit, liquidity, model and funding risk exposures of firm investments. Perform primary and macro-driven financial research by applying stress testing, scenario analysis and hedging methodologies. Work with portfolio managers covering macro, equity, credit and derivatives markets to holistically handle firm risks. Perform daily risk management processes, including risk modeling, risk methodologies, and internal and external reporting. Req’s Master’s degr., plus knowledge or experience in the following must have been gained through academic research and/or coursework: financial instruments; working with analytical and statistical methods for managing risk; and Python, MATLAB, or C++ as a financial research tool.Mail resume to: AQR Capital Management, LLC, ATTN: S. Rao, 2 Greenwich Plaza, Greenwich, CT 06830. Must Ref: DR-AQR-001.

Cheslock, Stanley, Greenwich. Filed by Land-Tech Consultants Inc., by Peter Romano.

Property: 309 Taconic Road, Greenwich. Amount: $82,108.

Filed June 19.

Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc., Ridgefield. Filed by Tyler Heating Air Conditioning Refrigeration LLC, by Richard R. Tyler. Property: 410 Main St., Ridgefield. Amount: $5,450.

Filed Aug. 6.

LIS PENDENS Alberto, Joel A., et al, Bridgeport. Filed by Marinosci Law Group PC, Warwick, Rhode Island, for The Bank of New York Mellon. Property: Lot 42, Huntington Road, Bridgeport.

Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed July 10.

Andriano, Joseph P., et al, Bridgeport. Filed by Zeldes, Needle & Cooper PC, Bridgeport, for Black Rock Gardens Cooperative Inc. Property: 32 Rowsley St., Unit 5, Bridgeport.

Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed July 10.

Cruz, Maria, et al, Bridgeport.

Filed by The Marcus Law Firm, North Branford, for US Bank National Association. Property: 82 James St., Bridgeport. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed July 15.

De Jesus, Luis, et al, Bridgeport. Filed by Milford Law LLC, Milford, for Nationstar Mortgage LLC. Property: 140 Williamsburg Road, Bridgeport.

Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed July 3.

Gonzalez, Antonio, et al, Bridgeport. Filed by The Marcus Law Firm, North Branford, for the Water Pollution Control Authority. Property: 23 Hubbell St., Bridgeport. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage.

Filed July 15.

Gordon, Yvonne, et al, Bridgeport. Filed by The Marcus Law Firm, North Branford, for the Water Pollution Control Authority. Property: 47 Ash St., Bridgeport. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed July 15.

Massiah, Deborrah, et al, Bridgeport. Filed by Willinger, Willinger & Bucci PC, Bridgeport, for Fairfield Village Condominium Association Inc. Property: 58B Patricia Road, Unit 2, Bridgeport. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage.

Filed July 10.

Owens, Jason D., Bridgeport.

Filed by McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce LLC, Hartford, for Pingora Loan Servicing LLC. Property: 248 Ridgefield Ave., Bridgeport. Action: foreclose defendant’s mortgage. Filed July 12.

Harrick, Suzanne, et al, Bridgeport. Filed by the Law Office of Juda J. Epstein, Bridgeport, for Benchmark Municipal Tax Services LTD. Property: 7 Canterbury Road, Unit 15, Bridgeport. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed July 12.

Pellegrino, Kenneth, et al, Bridgeport. Filed by the Law Office of Juda J. Epstein, Bridgeport, for Benchmark Municipal Tax Services LTD. Property: 533 Madison Ave., Bridgeport.

Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed July 8.

Howard, Cornelius, et al, Bridgeport. Filed by Bendett & McHugh PC, Farmington, for Wells Fargo Bank NA. Property: 105 E. Eaton St., Bridgeport.

Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed July 11.

Pena, Juan M. and Yohanny Pena, Bridgeport. Filed by Polivy, Lowry & Clayton LLC, Hartford, for Property: 693 Connecticut Ave., Bridgeport.

Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed July 10.

Jarrett, Natasha, et al, Bridgeport. Filed by The Marcus Law Firm, North Branford, for the Water Pollution Control Authority. Property: 190 Earl Ave., Bridgeport. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed July 15.

Petitte, Diana E., et al, Bridgeport. Filed by the Law Office of Juda J. Epstein, Bridgeport, for Benchmark Municipal Tax Services LTD. Property: 1023 Capitol Ave., Bridgeport.

Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed July 8.

Jensen, Maureen, et al, Bridgeport. Filed by The Marcus Law Firm, North Branford, for the Water Pollution Control Authority. Property: 1850 Noble Ave., Bridgeport. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage.

Filed July 15.

Pettway, James F., et al, Bridgeport. Filed by The Marcus Law Firm, North Branford, for US Bank National Association. Property: 49 Trowell St., Bridgeport. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed July 15.

Johnson, Kiandra, Bridgeport. Filed by Brock & Scott PLLC, Pawtucket, Rhode Island, for Ditech Financial LLC. Property: 269 East Ave., Bridgeport.

Action: foreclose defendant’s mortgage. Filed July 9.

Second New Light Original Freewill Baptist Church, Bridgeport. Filed by Kroll, McNamara, Evans & Delehanty LLP, West Hartford, for VSD Trust 2016-1. Property: 25 Princeton St., Bridgeport. Action: foreclose defendant’s mortgage. Filed July 10.

Komah, Nagnouma, et al, Bridgeport. Filed by The Marcus Law Firm, North Branford, for the Water Pollution Control Authority. Property: 238 Brooks St., Bridgeport. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage.

Filed July 15.

Larkin, Sergey, et al, Bridgeport. Filed by The Marcus Law Firm, North Branford, for the Water Pollution Control Authority. Property: 1124 Park Ave., Bridgeport. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed July 15.

Smellie, Christian Brandon, et al, Bridgeport. Filed by The Marcus Law Firm, North Branford, for Tower Fund Services.

Property: 73 Elizabeth St., Bridgeport. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed July 15.

Sosnowski, Mark, et al, Bridgeport. Filed by Bendett & McHugh PC, Farmington, for US Bank National Association.

Property: 25 Ellsworth St., Unit 17, Bridgeport. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed July 12.

FCBJ

Spremullo, Sandra S., et al, Bridgeport. Filed by McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce LLC, Hartford, for The Bank of New York Mellon. Property: 1369 Iranistan Ave., Bridgeport.

Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed July 3.

Valencia Island LLC, et al, Bridgeport. Filed by the Law Office of Juda J. Epstein, Bridgeport, for Benchmark Municipal Tax Services LTD. Property: 74 Circular Ave., 2B, Bridgeport.

Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed July 8.

Vazquez, Diana L., et al, Bridgeport. Filed by the Law Office of Juda J. Epstein, Bridgeport, for Benchmark Municipal Tax Services LTD. Property: 61 Clinton Ave., Unit D, Bridgeport.

Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed July 8.

LEASES Doshi, Girish G. and Chitralekha D. Doshi, by John Jordan. Landlord: Putnam Park Apartments Inc. Greenwich.

Property: 139 Putnam Park Apartments, Greenwich. Term: 31 years, commenced July 31, 2019. Filed Aug. 1.

MORTGAGES Dammer-Qualey, Denise and Brian P. Qualey, Ridgefield, by Edward J. Mitchell.

Lender: Fairfield County Bank, 150 Danbury Road, Ridgefield.

Property: 43 Wilton Road, Ridgefield. Amount: $174,000.

Filed Aug. 5.

Downend, Patrick, Ridgefield, by Bianca M. Perez. Lender: Webster Bank NA, 145 Bank St., Waterbury. Property: 283 Main St., Ridgefield. Amount: $850,000. Filed Aug. 6.

Englert, David R. and Jennifer M. Englert, Ridgefield,

by Antonio Faretta. Lender: Webster Bank NA, 145 Bank St., Waterbury. Property: 11 Shadow Lane, Ridgefield. Amount: $429,000. Filed Aug. 2.

Garst, Patricia and Raymond Garst, Ridgefield, by Robb Heering. Lender: Fairfield County Bank, 150 Danbury Road, Ridgefield. Property: 371 Wilton Road West, Ridgefield.

Amount: $460,000. Filed Aug. 1.

DECEMBER 2, 2019

25

Facts & Figures Associate (Greenwich, CT): Build, develop, and deploy complex software application suites and enable new technology onboarding. Develop and maintain software application development pipelines. Support custom applications in a software support environment.

Work with CI/CD applications, as well as in a mixed Linux and Windows environment. Configure, automated build, and deploy Java and Python applications in a service-oriented and microservice architecture. Req’s Bachelor’s degr plus 5 yrs exp. Mail resume to: AQR Capital Management, LLC, ATTN: S. Rao, 2 Greenwich Plaza, Greenwich, CT 06830. Must Ref: D035.

Associate (Greenwich, CT): Research and develop risk methodologies, conduct quantitative investigations, and provide ongoing support to risk managers. Monitor market, credit, liquidity, model and funding risk exposures of firm-managed investments. Work with financial risk research, as well as quantitative finance across asset classes (equities, rates, credit, Foreign Exchange (FX), and commodities), instruments, and economic relationships across asset classes. Work with portfolio analytics, as well as numerical methods and statistics.

Build, prototype, and improve risk methodologies. Req’s PhD degr plus 2 yrs exp. Mail resume to: AQR Capital Management, LLC, ATTN: S. Rao, 2 Greenwich Plaza, Greenwich, CT 06830. Must Ref: D034.

Gaudreau, Ann Florence and Justin Daniel Gaudreau, Ridgefield, by William A. Harrison. Lender: US Bank National Association, 4801 Frederica St., Owensboro, Kentucky. Property: 41A Catoonah St., Ridgefield.

Amount: $848,000. Filed Aug. 1.

Holmes, Andrew and Maribel A. Caballes-Holmes, Ridgefield, by Peter J. Ryan.

Lender: Total Mortgage Services LLC, 185 Plains Road, Milford. Property: 9 Mead Ridge Road, Ridgefield. Amount: $400,000. Filed Aug. 2.

Kalani, Neeraj and Deepika N. Kalani, Ridgefield, by Jason M. Scalzo. Lender: Webster Bank NA, 145 Bank St., Waterbury. Property: 251 Keeler Drive, Ridgefield. Amount: $110,000. Filed Aug. 2.

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DECEMBER 2, 2019

Rende, Robert S. and Carol A. Rende, Stamford, by Timothy Enright. Lender: Atlantic Home Loans Inc., 50 Route 46, Parsippany, New Jersey. Property: 48 Den Road, Stamford.

Amount: $484,350. Filed July 16.

Rodriguez, Lalia, Ridgefield,

by William A. Harrison. Lender: Bank of America NA, 101 S. Tryon St., Charlotte, North Carolina. Property: 17 New St., Ridgefield. Amount: $517,700.

Filed Aug. 1.

Ross, Stephen B. and Patricia Ross, Ridgefield, by Thomas D. Walker. Lender: Carrington Mortgage Services LLC, 1600 S. Douglass Road, Suites 100 and 200-A, Anaheim, California. Property: 179 Peaceable Hill Road, Ridgefield. Amount: $870,000. Filed Aug. 6.

Savino, Joseph and Michele Savino, Ridgefield, by Michael Wood. Lender: TD Bank NA, 2035 Limestone Road, Wilmington, Delaware. Property: 112 Old Branchville Road, Ridgefield. Amount: $750,000. Filed Aug. 1.

Schluetter, Jens-Uwe and Alexandra Schluetter, Ridgefield, by Rex E. Gustafson, Lender: Fairfield County Bank, 150 Danbury Road, Ridgefield.

Property: 20 Overlook Drive, Ridgefield. Amount: $430,600.

Filed Aug. 5.

Tuorto, Jr. Gary Michael and Stephanie Schlageter, Ridgefield, by David P. Lasnick.

Lender: Greenway Mortgage Funding Corp. 107 Tindall Road, Middletown, New Jersey. Property: 14 Bobbys Court, Ridgefield. Amount: $378,000.

Filed Aug. 2.

Vatici, Shtjefen, South Salem, by Chip Keating. Lender: Rosanne J. Loschiavo and Angela Loschiavo, Ridgefield.

Property: Unit 1 and Unit 2 Coops Hill Center, Ridgefield.

Amount: $1,000,000. Filed Aug. 2.

Wnorowski, Krzysztof, Ridgefield, by Elizabeth Ringer.

Lender: Polish and Slavic FCU, 9 Law Drive, Fairfield, New Jersey. Property: 6 Partridge Road, Warren. Amount: $100,000.

Filed Aug. 1.

FCBJ

NEW BUSINESSES Klein Sleep, 75 High Ridge Road, Easton 06612, c/o Jeffrey Klein. Filed Aug. 1.

1JUDD, 112 Southfield Ave., Stamford 06902, c/o Jordan Judd. Filed Aug. 1.

360 Print 4U, 38 Harvard Ave., Woodside, New York, 11377, c/o 360 Designs Inc. Filed Aug. 7.

Advection Net, 700 Canal St., Stamford 06903, c/o Michael Alatortsev. Filed Aug. 7.

AM Cleaning Service, 185 Sylvan Knoll Road, Stamford 06902, c/o Alfredo O. Maita.

Filed Aug. 7.

Bell-Ruth, 674 High Ridge Road, Stamford 06905, c/o Carin Albanese. Filed Aug. 5.

BLTS, 28 Taft Ave., No. 2L, Stamford 06902, c/o Rudy Aguirre. Filed Aug. 5.

Everybody’s Snack Bar, 135 Harvard Ave., Stamford 06902, c/o OK Café of Newfield Inc. Filed Aug. 2.

Furniture Finds, 674 High Ridge Road, Stamford 06905, c/o Carin Albanese. Filed Aug. 5.

Life Voxel. A1, 263 Tresser Blvd, Ninth floor, Stamford 06901, c/o Voxcell Cloud LLC. Filed Aug. 5.

Malta House Inc., 5 Prowitt St., Norwalk 06855, c/o Kim Petrone. Filed Aug. 2.

Marcus Catering, 91 Strawberry Hill Ave., Unit 130, Stamford 06902, c/o Jacques Poulard. Filed Aug. 6.

Maria’s Beauty Salon, 115 North St., Stamford 06905, c/o Beauty Salon. Filed Aug. 7.

New Wave, 355 Atlantic St., No. 7M, Stamford 06901, c/o Waymore Ventures LLC. Filed Aug. 6.

Newfield Dental, 579 Newfield Ave., Stamford 06905, c/o Dulcet Dental Smiles PC. Filed Aug. 2.

Nikkii Winsor LLC, 14 Ingall St., No. B4, Stamford 06902, c/o Nicola Winsor. Filed Aug. 7.

Pam Painting, 117 Myrtle Ave., Stamford 06902, c/o Pablo Morales. Filed Aug. 7.

Peak Athletic Brands, 833 High Ridge Road, Stamford 06905, c/o Nyasha Rashida Watkin. Filed Aug. 5.

Ranco Landscaping, 40 Limerick St., Stamford 06902, c/o Francisco Flores Uribe. Filed Aug. 2.

Set the Tone, 93 Crystal Lake Road, Stamford 06905, c/o Jineida Harkness. Filed Aug. 7.

Stamford Knocker ball, 61 Clinton Ave., Unit 7, Stamford 06901, c/o Juan David Ospina.

Filed Aug. 1.

Statement Accounting Co., 2435 Bedford St., Stamford 06905, c/o Sergei Shatilo. Filed Aug. 2.

Supreme Cleaning Services, 40 Stillwater Ave., No. 10E, Stamford 06902, c/o Elliot Shanique. Filed Aug. 6.

The President’s Club, 135 Harvard Ave., Stamford 06902, c/o OK Café of Newfield Inc. Filed Aug. 2.

The Royal Green, 135 Harvard Ave., Stamford 06902, c/o OK Café of Newfield Inc. Filed Aug. 2.

The Stillery, 135 Harvard Ave., Stamford 06902, c/o OK Café of Newfield Inc. Filed Aug. 2.

Xram LTD, 151 Harvard Ave., Stamford 06902, c/o Sean Fleischman. Filed Aug. 1.

PATENTS Active transparent display for dynamic masking during UV curing in a three-dimensional object printer. Patent no. 10,486,414 issued to Douglas K. Herrmann, Webster; Michael Jon Levy, Webster; Seemit Praharaj, Webster; Paul McConville, Webster; Jason Matthew LeFevre, Penfield. Assigned to Xerox, Norwalk.

Captive portal detection.

Patent no. 10,491,494 issued to Sandeep Shanbhag, Bangalore, India. Assigned to Harman, Stamford.

Holographic framed poster board for reflecting light as color hues. Patent no.

D868,154 issued to Steven A. Schulman, Norwalk. Assigned to Royal Consumer Products LLC, Norwalk.

Hybrid nanosilver/liquid metal ink composition and uses thereof. Patent no.

10,492,297 issued to Naveen Chopra, Oakville, Canada; Barkev Keoshkerian, Thornhill, Canada; Chad Steven Smithson, Toronto, Canada; Kurt L. Kalfyard, Mississauga, Canada; Michelle N. Chretien, Mississauga, Canada. Assigned to Xerox, Norwalk.

Method and apparatus to prevent reproduction of secure data. Patent no.

10,491,782 issued to Peter J. Zehler, Penfield. Assigned to Xerox, Norwalk.

Print head shuttling motion with improved precision.

Patent no. 10,486,447 issued to David L. Knierim, Wilsonville, Oregon. Assigned to Xerox, Norwalk.

Printer device with scanner in paper path. Patent no.

10,491,777 issued to Jack D. Jenkins Jr., Rochester. Assigned to Xerox, Norwalk.

Soft decision decoding method and system thereof. Patent no. 10,491,246 issued to Zeng Yang, Shanghai, China; Qingshan Zhang, Shanghair, China; Guoxia Zhang, Shanghai, China. Assigned to Harman, Stamford.

Stretchable ink composition. Patent no. 10,487,228 issued to Yiliang Wu, Oakville, Canada; Cameron Derry, London, Canada; Ke Zhou, Oakville, Canada. Assigned to Xerox, Norwalk.

System and method for entity extraction from semi-structured text documents. Patent no. 10,489,439 issued to Ioan Calapodescu, Grenoble, France; Nicolas Guerin, Notre-Dame-de-Message, France; Fanchon Jacques, Meylan, France. Assigned to Xerox, Norwalk.

Wireless system and method for measuring an operative condition of a machine.

Patent no. 10,488,385 issued to Bret Dwayne Worden, Lawrence Park, Pennsylvania; Mahalakshmi Shunmugham Balasubramaniam, Bangalore, India; Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Lawrence Park, Pennsylvania; Jingjun Zhang, Larence Park, Pennsylvania; Jennifer Lynn Coyne, Lawrence Park, Pennsylvania; Sachidananda Chinagudi Jagadeesha, Bagalore, India. Assigned to GE Global Sourcing LLC, Norwalk.

Success Runs in the Family

NOMINATE NOW Deadline: January 17

Submit your nomination at : westfaironline.com/events For the seventh year, Westfair Communications is honoring the leaders who built businesses in Westchester and Fairfield counties and kept them in the community — and in the family. Tell us about your own business or a family-owned business you think deserves recognition. /WestfairOnline

WestfairOnline

Business Requirements: • Owned by two or more relatives • Located in Fairfield County or Westchester County or the Hudson Valley • At least five years old WestfairOnline

/TheWagMag

For event information, contact: Olivia D'Amelio at odamelio@westfairinc.com.

For sponsorship inquiries, contact: Marcia Pflug at mpflug@wfpromote.com or 203-733-4545.

PRESENTED BY:

BRONZE SPONSOR:

FCBJ

DECEMBER 2, 2019

27

ue

W F B In IG O AT R th e D R T CH ec E H em V be E E r2 A 3i L ss

REVEALING THE THRIVING THIRTY BEST COMPANIES IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY Following the release of THE CATEGORIES ARE: the winners on December 23, Most Entrepreneurial you will be able to vote for Most Family-Friendly Greenest them in seven categories Most Pet-Friendly at westfaironline.com. Most Visionary Most Promising for Future Generations Most Socially Conscious

Join us as we celebrate the Thriving Thirty and the seven BEST OF THE BEST

APRIL 28 AT 5 P.M. at the Crown Plaza • 2701 Summer St., Stamford Business organizations partnering with the Fairfield County Business Journal are: Bridgeport Regional Business Council, The Business Council of Fairfield County, Darien Chamber of Commerce, Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce, Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce, Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, Stamford Chamber of Commerce, Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce For information, contact: Olivia D’Amelio at odamelio@westfairinc.com.

For sponsorships, contact: Barbara Hanlon at bhanlon@westfairinc.com or 914-358-0766.

PRESENTED BY:

SILVER SPONSORS:

BRONZE SPONSOR:

HOSPITALITY SPONSOR: