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Norwalk: We’re Going To Miss Nolin


by turfgrrl


November 17th, 2007 · 14 Comments

Peter Nolin is stepping down as corporation counsel. Mayor Moccia has said to the Hour, “I’m going to miss him. I think he was just absolutely invaluable to the administration.” I’ll add to that, the City of Norwalk is going to miss him. The position of corporation counsel is not one of those governmental positions that you notice until something goes dreadfully awry. That was the situation that Norwalk was facing in 2005 with the shift from über secrecy in all departments. Nolin encouraged the law department as a resource to all city departments, not just the mayor’s office.

This morning’s Hour reported that the city was finally going to start some work to address flooding in East Norwalk. We’ve come a long way from total denial of a problem by the previous administration to this point. It could not have happened without a competent law department recognizing the real liabilities to the city. For that, Nolin, the entire law department and Mayor Moccia deserve much credit.

Tags: In the News

14 Responses so far “Norwalk: We’re Going To Miss Nolin”



  • 1 anonymous // Nov 17, 2007 at 6:24 pm

    you must be kidding, right?

  • 2 turfgrrl // Nov 17, 2007 at 6:41 pm

    # 1: Not at all.
  • 3 Anonymous // Nov 17, 2007 at 7:28 pm

    Peter Nolin has been one of the most professional corporation council on all levels. The only ones who would say otherwise are those who didn’t get the answers they wanted.

  • 4 The \ // Nov 17, 2007 at 10:17 pm

    Peter Nolin is a gem; and perhaps a future Mayor.

  • 5 Anonymous // Nov 17, 2007 at 10:30 pm

    Although I don’t always agree with the current administration, I must say that Mr. Nolin had done a great job as our Corporation Council, and certainly deserved the money he made, versus our current CC, who..well..nobody really knew anything about. Kept quite the low profile.

  • 6 The \\ // Nov 17, 2007 at 11:15 pm

    #5 what you mean: “…our current CC.” ?

  • 7 Greg Travis // Nov 18, 2007 at 9:29 am

    Nolin Who?

  • 8 anonymous // Nov 18, 2007 at 9:41 am

    While I didn’t agree with some of his recommendations, Nolin should be recognized for his dedication to public service, particularly given the salary he must have forgone at his law firm for the very small salary from the city.

  • 9 anonymous // Nov 19, 2007 at 9:55 pm

    He was flat out wrong on 93 East Ave. Said it wasn’t in a historic district, when it was. Not local, which was never established, but the more important state and national registers, which it is. Never apologized or admitted his mistake. His legacy will be the disappearance of a pre-Revolutionary landmark, which will be Moccia’s legacy as well.

  • 10 anon again // Nov 19, 2007 at 10:08 pm

    Nolin also made the decision to strip the Historical Commission of any role in the preservation of privately owned historical properties — right after the HC held a public hearing about 93 East Avenue. The HC can still hold a public hearing — but can’t take an active role in asking for the delay or discussions with the owners — even though preservaton of historic properties in Norwalk is part of the HC’s mission. How pointless is that?

    He also did not quash an overly broad supoena by the Inn’s lawyers asking for information from the HC about 93 East Avenue — a subpoena that any law student could see was a fishing expedition. He and the Corp Counsel’s office left the HC swinging.

    Noln may have been good for the Mayor (and 93 East Avenue) but he was horrible for historic preservation.

  • 11 Anonymous // Nov 19, 2007 at 10:17 pm

    I suppose that in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 93 East Ave. was heralded by the Knopp administration and that corp counsel did everything to prevent the property owner from exercising any rights? Get real. Nolin and Moccia inherited a situation long after the city had any role in its fate. Go kiss Knopp’s feet some more.

  • 12 Anon // Nov 19, 2007 at 11:45 pm

    Peter Nolin will be missed as the corporation counsel by many. He was a great asset to the administration over the last 2 years. His knowledge of parlimentary procedure was astounding and he was always fair. The mayor and the last Common Council were very lucky to have him.

  • 13 anon again // Nov 20, 2007 at 10:14 am

    Nolin knowingly spread misinformation about the historic designation of 93 East Avenue — misinformation that was then used as the basis for the Norwalk Inn’s legal argument for demolition. When meeting with presrvationists who showed him proof of the National Register designation, he said he already knew all that. He (and the Mayor) continued to perpetuate the misinformation about not being in a historic district to The Hour even after that meeting. Nolin (and the Mayor) were very, very good to the Norwalk Inn…quid pro quo, no doubt.

  • 14 good riddance, nolin // Nov 20, 2007 at 7:49 pm

    Norwalk is well rid of this clown. Hope the next one takes the city more seriously.

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