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EASTON, Conn. Aggravated by what he calls a lack of headway being made over the towns outstanding driveway bonds, Easton resident Robert Webbe has petitioned town officials in hopes of having a town meeting on the issue.
This really was the result of when the original issue popped up last fall and I didnt really see the town doing too much about it, Webbe said.
Webbes referring to a small claims suit against the town seeking $2,500 for a bond that was never released. Soon after that filing, it was discovered that the town was in the possession of $278,000 worth of outstanding bonds that date back more than a decade.
I think the idea that the town has been sitting on that kind of money is remarkable, Webbe said. Why hasnt that been refunded yet?
When asked to comment on Webbes request for a meeting, First Selectman Thomas Herrmann said, We will consider it at our next Board of Selectman meeting.
The Easton Board of Selectman did return almost $30,000 last month for all bonds older than 20 years and all road-opening bonds older than 15 years. While most of those bonds date to the early 1990s and mid-80s, one went as far back as 1971. But $30,000 is not enough, Webbe said.
There is still over $200,000 that has not been returned, that is just sitting in some account. I think we deserve to know why, Webbe said.
The purpose of the driveway bond, which was enacted in 1980, is to ensure that residents had working, up-to-code driveways that did not cause damage to town roads or residential properties. Under the ordinance, homeowners must post a $2,500 bond to ensure that driveway work is done correctly.
Webbe gave Town Clerk Derek Buckley his petition, who in turn distributed it to the Board of Selectman last week. As of Wednesday evening, Webbe said he hadn't heard any news.
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