Town Takes Steps To Remove Resident From Eichler’s Cove

By Kendra Bobowick

Although the town has “terminated its relationship” with Carol Marchetti as the Eichler’s Cove Marina manager, and has expected the town-owned residence on that site to be vacated by the end of December, one person remains.

Ms Marchetti’s husband, William Marchetti, is still at the residence that overlooks the marina and boat launch at the end of Old Bridge Road that sits just several feet away from the Newtown/Monroe town line. Ms Marchetti has already moved out.

Since Ms Marchetti’s contract expired and the town earlier made plans to assume responsibilities of running the marina, boat launch, beach, and picnic area, the house should have been vacant by the end of 2010. At a Parks and Recreation Commission meeting Tuesday, February 8, commission members and recreation Director Amy Mangold were wondering why Mr Marchetti had not relocated with his wife, and what the town might be doing to encourage him to leave. Ms Marchetti has moved into a home they have “along the shore,” in a town where Ms Marchetti has found another job, First Selectman Pat Llodra said Wednesday.

Per her contract, the couple lived rent-free at residence located at the cove and marina. The town’s fire departments and police department are waiting to use the facility for various drills, said recreation commission Chairman Ed Marks.

The town’s attorney David Grogins has taken steps to remove Mr Marchetti from the premises. “I gave the information to the attorney … these are difficult circumstances,” said Mrs Llodra. “They’re on town property and they have no right to be there.” Mr Grogins “communicated by letter, and served [Mr Marchetti] in a formal way,” reminding him to leave, she said. “The first step is to serve notice, and that has happened,” she said. Mr Marchetti “did confirm that he received papers that he needed to vacate,” Mrs Llodra said.

She hopes additional steps are not necessary. “I know he wants to be out and in his other home.”

As recently as last week he had told Mrs Llodra that he was having trouble getting out because the facility has not been plowed. The marina’s gravel lot takes up significant space between the residence and the end of Old Bridge Road. Mrs Llodra said, “We’re not plowing that area because we’re not using it.”

The town had purchased the once-private marina in past years with the understanding that at some point the recreation department would manage and staff the facility. At the end of last year, however, Ms Marchetti had hoped to remain on the job for at least one more year, primarily for her longtime marina slip-renters’ sake.

But the Board of Selectmen had determined in October that Ms Marchetti’s service contract with the town would end.

The contract had provided that the home “was for her use,” Mrs Llodra explained. And when the contract expired, she said, “It was expected and communicated clearly that she was to vacate. She confirmed that she understood.” Ms Marchetti’s access to the property has ended, Mrs Llodra said. Mr Marks then clarified one gray area in the current scenario: “The contract was with Carol, not anyone in her family.”

Mrs Llodra said that she believes Ms Marchetti is now living and working “in another community on the shore.”

She said, “It’s my understanding that [the Marchettis] did not finish moving out and Mr Marchetti is still there part-time.”