| Legislators not buying Michele's
eminent domain plan
February 5, 2003 By Jackie Majerus The Bristol Press 99 Main Street Bristol, CT 06010 860-584-0501 Fax: 860-584-2192 The Bristol Press covers Bristol, Plymouth, Plainville, Terryville, Thomaston and Burlington. To submit a Letter to the Editor: editor@bristolpress.com or letters@bristolpress.com HARTFORD, Connecticut - Asked whether they shared Rep. Roger Michele's notions about eminent domain -- including the idea that towns should pay landowners three times the appraised value when taking property for economic development -- his fellow state lawmakers in Bristol reacted largely with amusement and disgust. State Sen. Tom Colapietro, a Terryville Democrat, said "of course not" when asked whether he would go along with legislation proposed by Michele. Colapietro said making towns pay three times the appraised value would punish the taxpayers for something they didn't control. "The taxpayers are the ones that are going to pay that freight," said Colapietro. Rep. Bill Hamzy, a Plymouth Republican whose district includes part of Bristol, called Michele's idea "somewhat absurd." "I would never support that," said Hamzy. Rep. Kosta Diamantis, a Bristol Democrat, said he hadn't "opened his mouth" about the Bugryn matter in the more than five years that it has been an issue, and isn't about to start now. Diamantis said he had plenty of more important state issues to consider at the moment. Rep. Betty Boukus, a Plainville Democrat whose district includes a small part of Bristol, refused to comment on Michele's remarks. "How many years has this been?" asked Boukus, adding that the city's use of eminent domain has been through the courts. "I like Roger," said Colapietro. "I don't think Roger needed to say his feelings to the press. I don't like eminent domain myself as a personal thing. But it is the law." Hamzy, an attorney who practices in Bristol, said eminent domain is recognized as "one of government's authorized actions." But Hamzy said that although it is allowed by law, the idea of taking land for economic development is different from for other purposes. "Any eminent domain for purposes of economic development pushes the envelope," said Hamzy. "But the court has obviously reviewed this and decided it was a proper use of eminent domain." Hamzy said he feels comfortable with the courts have done in the Bugryn case. "Fair and just compensation is also an issue that the courts take up," Hamzy said. In a recent interview, Michele called the city's pursuit of the Bugryn family's property on Middle Street "immoral and unethical." Michele described the use of eminent domain as "stealing" and said city officials "should be ashamed of themselves" for using it to force out the elderly Bugryn family members who've lived on the property for decades. "I thought he was running for mayor," Hamzy said, after reading Michele's comments. Colapietro said the city is "abiding by the law as they see it." The city took title to the Bugryns' 32 acres at 269 Middle St. and 299 Middle St. nearly two years ago, but four elderly former owners and other family members still live there. Bristol officials put $1.2 million into an escrow account several years ago to pay for the property, but a court case is still pending that will determine how much taxpayers must fork over the land. City Hall is also in the process of trying to evict the elderly Bugryns, a move that is likely to take months. ŠThe Bristol Press 2003 http://www.bristolpress.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=6939680&BRD=1643&PAG=461&dept_id=10486&rfi=6 |