Norwalk: The Old Police Station

It looks like someone took a sledge hammer to it.

it won’t fall down that way!

Maybe since this is a historical building the historical commission should start a movement to prevent the demolition and force the city to save the facade.

Last I knew there was a lot of pretty good furniture, file cabinets, conference tables, fixtures, etc. left that the police did not want to take to their new building. I’ll bet somebody is trying to get in without setting off alarms and “liberate” some of that stuff. Maybe if enough “midnight shoppers” find out about it, they’ll cart the place away brick by brick and the City won’t have to pay to have it demolished.

Its odd how a company who not only made money here on the city but at the schools also on Radon ,,Brooks Labs should of secured the site after testing better than this ,,this is not industry standard.

We have children who walk by these holes in the ground at least 30 of them on their way to the playground from the entrance to Stepping Stones a natural path its easy conveniant and safe,,well lets talk safety seeing as though I get told I lose some people.

These holes are what test borings or wells that were driven either way by the looks of it they simply punched a hole in the tar but left in some places 10 inch depths,,could a childs foot go in then break a leg or ankle? but I am cast as a grassy knoll dreamer so lets just say LAWSUIT would be better than to say Brooks and our own city has done anything wrong in leaving it this way.

Has it been fixed ,,who knows i don’t get out much remember according to some of the rocket science posters out here,,Does anyone need a degree in common sense to figure this out?,,no cause I did and if I can so can’t my critics.

Ok so much for thinking of children who could get hurt this is starting to make me sound like I’m a father, firefighter, EMT ect who has on many ocaison left the cab of a rig and treated a child becuase some idiot left a work site like this within easy reach of a child or an elderly person, adults should know better( just kidding)

So lets talk the asbsestos testing ,,our reporters said behind or within the walls lies asbestos, did they go and look for themselves or was this another spoon fed story,there are two sides to a story girls and boys , obviously it wasn’t covered or was it just another story to playcate the public..the holes in the building give you access to asbestos, kids were seen sticking their heads in the holes last weekend when there was a big event at Stepping Stones how much better does it get for a LAWSUIT?

I really think we should chip in for a map for the news desks so when a story comes up like this they can actually find the location , any reporter would of seen the holes but would they have connected the dots? I think so there are two Advoacte reporters who also went to Grateful dead concerts they have the sense to dig deeper,observe whats around them and write more than whats on a fortune cookie..I still have confidence we will see more on this from them.

So why ask now about the storm drains that have been completely covered with dirt and hay not for filtering runnoff but to block access to whats inside i bet,,this is classic before elections or DPW raises or contracts hide all the problems so damage control can be done ,,a good old boys club we have.

I was told we have an engineer ,,does he get out much? how hard was it to go and see this stuff? Who over saw the first $10,000 dollar contract for the city?

So while I am taken apart for my observance does the three transformers that might hold PCB’s sit behind the station pose a threat to our firefighters, police or childrem? if they don’t have pcbs why are they still there?

Do we own them or does CT power,,if Ct power does why havn’t they picked them up so we can test the transformer pad and box,,

Whats going on seems Brooks has left the door open for more contract work, the fill pipe to the bulding from the gas pumps seem not to be tested as well..the transformer cans and they also said areas they couldn’t get to,,was this for another 10,000 dollars later to be billed unsuspecting Norwalkers while we spend what a million to just clean up the site for demolition?

But lest talk trash on the politicians, maybe if any of them did anything about this police station stuff they would of showed us all its not all talk at election year as far as I know they all knew there was obvious problems here and ignored all the warnings..

Let just paint one picture to show the dangers here,,its like leaving a refridgerator with its door on behind the police station with physically hundreds of children running around,,the fridge will kill instantly the hazards i describe will do the same slowly if they are not taken care of properly,,

pictures don’t lie only some politicians do when it comes to safety for the public and their true concern,,and it its thier dept heads who let then down let fire them before the election and they will have my vote.

Or ones who want the vote fire them once elected either way the kids may win on this one..if we just demand this gets addressed,,

ok news hounds how about a followup Turfgrrl did all the work it looks like..all you need is a map I guess.

Seems that a lot of things are falling apart on Moccia’s watch..the police station is being vandalized…124 East Avenue gets demolished in clear view of City Hall…93 East Avenue is rotting as Moccia holds fund raisers next door…chemical spills and environemental issues get swept under the rug…council people fatten their own and relatives wallets while in office…developers get whatever they want…there’s trash on the streets…and who knows what will happne when the fall rains start again. You really want to re-elect this guy?

What bothers me is so many people saw this at the old police station and probably ignored it not really knowing what they saw.You know what to look for you know whats dangerous or possibly hazardous well its a plus..

The fire dept just for the fact the walls were opened up and a chimney effect were made on all the exterior walls would not be a very good idea for a vacant building.The transformers still sitting there well that speaks for itself why they are there should be asked,and for the holes in ground accept enough water well cave ins or parking lot depressions start for those who park there,,anyone ever go there when there is no spaces Stepping Stones is busy a good thing but to broadcast this issue may mean parking fees and then we will see another farmers market delemma against kids instead of adults.

So when ever I write I come out swinging at the mayor most of the time, here I should rethink my priorities its safety first and then cost of a cleanup and then mayor’s responsibilities to the city taxpayers.If Dick has had serious conversations with people who want the land for something and there are interested people thats great let them stand in line behind the taxpayers and kids at the playground.

But lets use that word we all use to use before accountability, lets see the DPW be just that to the taxpayers and not to special interest their own for starters..This report on the old station was done when? that would mean this all has looked like this for months and whats inside? holes made making asbestos airborne maybe,,now lest send in the clowns to remove anything in the station? clowns not the workers but the profit in confusion dept heads we have,,shame is are we now looking at a worker safety OSHA state office problem,,we do have public employees at best who need to be protetced,,testing was done with precautions wern’t they?

This is not new in any city, but when you hire a professional company you expect simple standards to be met, when you have dept heads, and engineers not like Casey Jones who drove that train ,well you expect your tax dollar doing your work not some half baked field environmental grunt pointing this out, only way it was found was to watch this process from day one and simply followed it through.

I wonder if we have anything to worry about the radon in our schools now,,we were told Brooks labs took care of everything, maybe a follow up should be done there? Teachers union take note have your union take and do some testing find some free kits call city hall.

Back to the old station where was lead was found did it enter into the exhaust system is it in the duct work will LaJoies take it and dispose of it as a favor after the last fire and explosion, second this year folks wonder how much it cost the city I figure thats about a $50,000 dollar plus bill the city should of billed for negligence on the salvage yards part, happens in other towns and cities he who has the fire pays,,that would buy almost another firefighter mext year..but what do i know i never see what other cities do..I’m always on the blog..

so where from here? do we see some accountability of course not the more the city say the worse off they become, I trust the news desks realize its not the reporters its the subject matter,,we need some environmental savy reporters who float in the city so no bridges will be burned when it comes to spoon fed news,we need that too , what we do need is someone who will get out of the office and find this stuff just by looking..

I wanted to offer a reward for the person who finds the takes traffic sign that was knocked down by a truck or car by St Pauls Green its been there for two weeks sitting there at the light,,and bring it to the highway barn I’ll have Cains managemnet above Dunkins on East ave issue a voucher for a weeks worth of cofeee I figure the sign and post is worth over a $100 dollars,I’d do it but I figure the mayor’s like the Blackwater company they would wait for me to pick it up and charge me with larceny,,blackwater shot offenders when they set up there victims over in Iraq.

that was my conspiracy thought for the day ,,why else would the sign stay there? Back to the grasy knoll

isn’t there a camera there on the green? near East ave?

I trust I have worn out my welcome for the day but a rant is what I needed, now to Cains for a coffee this has been a paid advertisement by Dunkin Donuts on East Ave.

Under the Knopp administration, a plan was passed to renovate most of the schools and build a new police station.
The current administration can’t even secure this building or pass the funds for demolition. You can blame in on the Democratic majority I guess, only 5 of them were Republicrats. Are you sure you want another 2 years of Mocciae as a steward for the city?

Hey Greenpeace, why don’t you use your experience and knowledge and go to City Hall, talk to DPW and Parks and Rec and find out why they aren’t doing all the things you are suggesting? Just blogging about it isn’t going to make any changes in our community…

Hey lay off TG, people complain that she’s biased so she puts up other views. Now you are complaining about that. This blog desperately needs Democratic voices.

I was only thinking of safety, for the kids and it the fire dept had to respond to a already ventalated building,,

I think because your not involved with teh city and its unions you need to take a step back and read all that is written.

Truth hurts whenit comes election time,,I never have been for or against anyone in the city, but your comments tell me #17 when I get home I can address all the issues,,

bottom line is stop some trucks but not all the trucks

I never said he was in bewd with local 830 I did say they backed him last election but rteading the local 830 website it tells be they may not feel they got what they were looking for in forms of support.

Waste money ,,when I can give you a clear example I will I figure if I do it before elections it will make me anti Moccia,,I’m not,,, I’m pro residents, pro taxpayer, and you must be what?

I enjoy being targeted your dialogue is somewhat republican but seem democrat when it comes to facts

I am now enjoying some time away from Norwalk showing others what Norwalk is all about,,shame I can’t boast intelect at times most of the miserable 25 have taken holiday..

I do compare other cities police and fire force calls and city size I guess number may bother some it does paint its own pictures,

Enjoy what..calling people and their family names , calling owners of businesses liars and theives,,yes its been a very informative blog lately showing the rest of the city what we have is better than most who post vulgar thoughts..

I bother you #17 that makes me feel good, you must have something to hide not once you have offered any solutions just attack my character,,I by the way would surprise you in real life I am quiet and very conservative and very factual..

My kids are enjoying reading your attacks while they are asking if you do understand facts,,I’m sure you have found interest in some of my postings you have never said what is a lie..

Farmers market its gone its history its ok we have Darien and Westport but South Norwalk lost big,,what do you care are you really involved with people or just politics,,tell us what you think with a specific handle your present handle tells us esteem problems.

GREENPEACE IS KILLING US – I thought it was only me that was getting sick of reading his tirades. At first I found myself enjoying them to a certain point. Then they became somewhat of a struggle to read. Now I’m just ignoring them. I’m sure he’s a real nice guy and all that stuff, but enough is enough. I had a freind like this once. It got to the point that I stopped answering the phone when he called. Didn’t want to get together anymore with him. It was a shame because he was a good freind, but I just got too darn tired of having to listen to nothing but complaints, complaints, negatives, negatives. bad news and bad news all the time. I’m not happy about it. He was a good freind for 40 years but I just couldn’t take it any more. No it wasn’t Mr. Greenpeace. At least I don’t think so. But life is good now!

Oh, yes… I forgot. I also LOVED #17 comments. This is entirely what makes this blog so universally sound.

Yes #17 was GREAT. Described Mr.Greenpee very well. I love this blogg and read it everyday, sometimes several times a day. But the point I was trying to make is that he seems to be very active with his comments and rants and God bless him – it is his right. But I for one am finding myself ignoring his tirades. #17 is right on target with Greenpee. The man is all over the place, on both sides of the fence and seems to be like a hated mother-in-law or a divorced wife. Nothings ever right. Everyones always wrong. Everyones an idiot but him. His ideas are the best. He’s always the victim. Never responsible for anything. I think Mr. Greenpee is nothing but a drive by blogger!

Mr. Greenpeace may rant all he wants. I think what happens is his thought move faster than his typing and parts of his sentences get a bit confusing. For all the complaints people seem to have, he seems to be quite agressive in his fact finding. He just needs to either stop thinking so fast or re-read before hitting send. Sometimes I get a headache trying to decipher his words. Write on Mr. Greenpeace..just do it so we can all understand your thought process.

http://www.democraticnorwalk.com

Dear Mr. Greenpeace,

I try to read and follow what your saying, but I makes my head hurt. Seems your writing style is “Stream of consciousness”. Reading your comments, even if I agree on some of your points(I think), leaves me resembling the AFLAC Duck after he listens to Yogi Berra talk. Case in point, here is only one of your paragraphs fron your previous post:

“why increase arrests? that would ruin the federal stats compared to Norwalk,,be serious , illegals,drug dealers, felons and victims need to have somewhere to live..so I guess i understand why our numbers don’t rise i do respect a good rant from others we pay big bucks to, I just don’t like the competition it makes me look bad and not unique,,so stop it guys and leave the driving to us..”

All I can say is “Huh??”. I am sure you are a good person who is really nothing more than concerned about our community, Please re-read and correct your writings before you post them, so we can follow along too. Thank you.

I was simply reading from the sundays Hour,there was an interview with the mayor and police chief,,I only figured if you read the Hour you would follow my post,,

read the article lack of Mandatory minimum stresses NPD by Noelle Frampton in todays Sunday Hour and if you still don’t follow my post, well I can’t help you.

for those who don’t read the Hour,maybe you will find the front page article interesting without my rant,,

I guess I should of said I was commenting on the article,,I’m not trying to deliver any fact just point out what facts seem to be missing from the article..

Todays front page of the Hour

I understand watchdog and thank you for even the thought,,I sometimes take it for granted everyone reads the news papers before they read my rants,,or myself forgets to simply copy the article and rant from it..

I read the artilce in todays Hour and thought maybe there was some misquotes, and statements taken out of context on lack of mandatory minimum stresses NPD.

I figured this was too good to make up by Noelle Frampton, but some of the content simply makes me wonder if its something we should all look at and comment on it,

I figure forget my rant simply comment on the article in todays Hour,,is it fact or fiction, does it sound like we are using our resources or are we simply not giving the city the maximum protection and services we need.

My concerns and issues cost money or questions the safety of the public or public service personel .

Find me one firefighter who would not be concerned about knocking holes in exterior walls in vacant building where interior walls are exposed from the outside and walk away without securing them.

I still wonder where the fire dept sits on this?

Any chance they could use the abandoned generator at one of the fire stations? or do they all have backup power? this was just a thought

That would make more sense that the fire dept left the asbestos exposed to the public, I’m sure the fire chief will not be pleased to see this written.

Leaving the holes would only fuel a structure fire, so again the fire chief would only be worried his men did anything like this.

anyone read that Hour article GP mentioned? only now does his post #31 and #34 make any sense, actually comical if you read the whole thing.

one a day will keep the mayor away,another armed assuaults and these the kind of crimes that keep rising,,buts its only in South Norwalk..

Two residents charged in knifepoint holdup

A city man and woman were arrested Tuesday morning for allegedly robbing two city men at knifepoint earlier that day in South Norwalk.
Willie Edwards, 40, and Rosalie Vega, 28, who share a 6 Pleasant St. address, allegedly approached two unnamed men who were walking in the area of Chestnut Street and Belle Avenue and asked if they had money, police said.

“Edwards apparently grabbed one of the victims and began to assault him, beating him to the ground,” said police spokesman Sgt. Andre Velez.

When the victim’s companion tried to intervene, Vega allegedly “grabbed the knife and held him at bay,” threatening to cut him if he entered the fray, Velez said.

When police arrived, Edwards and Vega had already fled on foot. But due to the victim’s descriptions, police found them not far from the incident scene, near the Roodner Court housing complex on Ely Avenue, Velez said.

RICHARD A. MOCCIA

PRESS RELEASE – March 8, 2007

Mayor Moccia announced today that he has signed the contract with Brooks Laboratory for the Environmental Survey and Testing for the former police department site. Brooks Labs will provide:

“Based on test results, the Consultant shall prepare a comprehensive report on the hazardous materials found in the building structure and on site. The report shall include building plans and site plans in order to clearly identify the sampled locations with corresponding test results for each location. Based on the Consultant’s field visits to the building, testing results and experience, the Consultant shall develop a detailed quantity estimate for all hazardous materials found in the building and on site. The Consultant shall provide a recommendation on abatement sequence and shall assess the value of a separate abatement phase prior to building demolition. A preliminary cost estimate will be required which shall include detailed cost breakdown for each hazardous material.

Subsequent to submission of the environmental report to the City, the Consultant shall proceed with the preparation of technical specifications and drawings for the abatement of all hazardous materials. In the preparation of the specifications, the Consultant shall give consideration to demolition sequence and on-site/off-site disposal options. Specifications shall be developed in order to obtain maximum efficiency during demolition process and achieve maximum cost effectiveness. The specifications shall be in compliance with all applicable State and Federal regulatory requirements including but not limited to, Connecticut General Statutes, State Department of Environmental Protection, Norwalk Fire Marshal’s office, Norwalk Health Department and NESHAP.”

This is the first step in the process of determining a time and cost estimate for the demolition of the former police department building. “We have a long way to go, states Mayor Moccia, but at the very least the process has started.”

did we miss something, I’m not sure we saw all the things that were in the press release maybe the Hour or Advocate could.