First Selectman Agrees To Sign Fairfield Hills Leases

By Kendra Bobowick

Selectmen Herb Rosenthal lit a fuse that burned right to the point Monday when he directed a question to newly elected First Selectman Joseph Borst. He wanted to know the first selectman’s intentions regarding lease agreements for properties eyed by developers at Fairfield Hills.

 “Once [town attorney David Grogins] indicates they’re OK to sign, is it your intention to sign?” asked Mr Rosenthal.

Mr Borst answered, “I’ll look at them myself before I decide to sign.”

“That’s not the question,” Mr Rosenthal fired back.

Countering with quiet words, Mr Borst answered, “Will I or will I not?”

Making it clear, Mr Rosenthal stated, “I wonder if you would execute the leases with your signature.” Adding to his first response Mr Borst said, “I have a couple more bases to touch, hopefully before [Mr Grogins] finishes.”

Mr Rosenthal pushed harder. “I believe you’re instructed in essence to sign,” he said. Even more specifically, he continued, “The first selectman acts to implement the decisions of the Board of Selectmen. At this point in time I think you have to sign once the attorney decides they’re appropriate.”

Then he added, “If you’re not prepared to [sign] then I’ll motion that another selectman can have the right.”

With a hardened voice, Mr Borst stressed his position again. “I’d appreciate if you would give me the leeway to touch base.”

The room had grown quiet in the C.H. Booth Library meeting room as tension filling the gaps in the selectmen’s clipped disagreement. Mr Mangiafico spoke up.

“This is a touchy area…” he said. His remarks referenced the first meeting of the new board earlier this month when Mr Mangiafico and Mr Rosenthal had outvoted the first selectman regarding the Fairfield Hills redevelopment plans. They moved to continue those plans without further delay.

Elections in November had shaken developers that were poised to sign lease agreements. They understood that local municipal and education offices would occupy Bridgeport Hall. But they had heard Mr Borst’s comments from the election campaign that he would scrutinize the status of a town office project “to determine if it can be stopped or put on hold…” With that expression of uncertainty, developers interested in renovating space for a boutique, medical facility for Danbury Hospital, and a restaurant/pub themselves became uncertain about entering a lease agreement.

Again this week, Selectmen Mangiafico and Rosenthal gave Mr Borst no room for delay. Mr Mangiafico continued, “The [first selectman] was entitled to vote No two weeks ago, but I left here thinking that the first selectman was obligated to carry out the will of the selectmen. If [Mr Grogins] says [the leases] are OK I think you must sign. I think you’re obligated.”

Stressing again his intentions to review leases, Mr Borst aimed to close the discussion. “I’ll take your statements under advisement. I just want the opportunity to touch the bases.” Pushing his point, Mr Mangiafico referred to earlier in the meeting and argued, “We just finished talking to [Mr Grogins] and he said it could be a matter of days. If in a few days he comes with a lease and says nothing is wrong with it, are you going to sign it?”

Committing to nothing, Mr Borst said, “It’s a possibility.”

“I want assurance,” Mr Mangiafico said without pause. Emphasizing an earlier point, he said, “I think you’re obligated. It’s the will of the board.” Without a decision, Mr Borst said, “I hear what you’re saying.”

Pressing his position, Mr Mangiafico insisted, “Respond.”

Silence gripped the room once more.

“I think I did,” Mr Borst answered. “I want to move on.”

Mr Rosenthal was ready, and had warned the first selectman of what he said next. “I reluctantly move to authorize Mr Mangiafico to sign if you’re not willing to do so.” Angry, Mr Borst shot back, “I want a couple days to do my job.” He again wanted leeway.

“What leeway?” asked Mr Rosenthal. “I’m reluctant to make the motion but I don’t recall the situation where the first selectman won’t carry out the will of the board…” Following close behind Mr Borst answered, “I’m not saying that.” Mr Mangiafico quickly made an appeal.

“I implore you that you sign. I implore you. It’s a really bad sign if I have to [sign],” he said.

Pressured by the men to either side of him and holding firmly to his own position, Mr Borst relented. “OK. I will, but don’t be upset if I say I do it under duress,” he said.

Papers shuffled, residents and town officials who had gathered to learn whether the Fairfield Hills leases would progress or remain in limbo at last relaxed in their seats.

(See related story in this issue regarding Mr Borst’s views on Fairfield Hills.)