Pieces of trees lie on the ground along the Exit 26 off-ramp on Route 8 North in Naugatuck earlier this month. The trees were cut by the state Department of Transportation without informing Naugatuck officials first. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

Earlier this month, the state’s Department of Transportation cut down four trees and the underbrush along the Exit 26 off-ramp on Route 8 North in Naugatuck.

While the cutting took place on state-owned property a regulation states that the DOT is supposed to notify the municipality the cutting will take place in, if the trees are over 18 inches in diameter, which these four trees were.

The DOT did not notify Naugatuck officials before cutting the trees.

According to Public Works Director James Stewart, while the DOT was supposed to notify the borough, it would not have had any impact on whether the work had been done.

“They don’t have to get our permission,” Stewart said.

The notification would have allowed the borough to see if there was another option besides cutting the trees down, Stewart said.

“It would give us an opportunity to look at tree and decide if it is an issue,” Stewart said. “There are some trees on state right-of-ways that we would be interested in trying to save.”

After a meeting between DOT and borough officials earlier this month, Stewart said the DOT agreed to contact Robert Roland, the borough’s tree warden, before any more trees were cut down.

For some borough residents the promise to keep the borough informed was too little, too late.

Resident Evabeth Kloc, who organized the meeting, said she was concerned with what she perceived to be a lack of oversight when the state was cutting the trees.

She feels there had not been a feasible plan put together of what should be cut and what should remain before the trees were felled.

Kloc was also concerned the trees that had been cut looked as if they had been healthy before they were taken down.

Stewart said the trees were cut because they were marked as being trees that had a potential of falling during a storm.

“They were large enough that they would impact the ramp if they fell,” Stewart said. “Also, they were leaning towards the exit ramp.”

Kloc feels it’s important the borough prevent the DOT from cutting down trees without giving the proper notification first.

Resident Len Yannielli expressed concerns over the trees being cut to the Board of Mayor and Burgesses at its May meeting.

Yannielli said the cutting is part of a larger problem.

“The problem is that we don’t have a burgess involved with the environment. We have a burgess attached to each of the commissions, right? That’s the way it works. But because we don’t even have a Conservation Commission, I guess we don’t have a burgess involved with the environment,” Yannielli told the board.

Yannielli recommended the creation of a Conservation Commission to help the borough deal with environmental issues that arise.

Messages left with the DOT seeking comment were not returned as of this post.

Joe Geloso Sr. stands on a staircase overlooking a grand ballroom at Aria Wedding and Banquet Facility in Prospect. –RA ARCHIVE

From atop the large hill at Aria Wedding and Banquet Facility by Villa Rosa at 45 Murphy Road, one can pick out from the landscape Waterbury Hospital, Meriden Mountain, or even the lights on the TV or radio towers in Farmington, town officials note.
“This is the highest spot in the area,” owner Joe Geloso Sr. said standing on a terrace outside the facility recently.

The Geloso family has completed about 90 percent of the two-story building, he said. Although construction continues, the venue has opened; it held its first wedding reception April 26. Since then, 15 other weddings and functions have been held, Geloso said.
About 1,000 people attended a Mother’s Day dinner on May 12.

Geloso; his two sons, Joe Jr. and Emilio, and daughter, Sonia — all co-owners — broke ground on the project in April 2012. Geloso, a Hamden resident, operated the Villa Rosa banquet hall at the Pontelandolfo Community Club in Waterbury for about 25 years.

He said the new facility is shaping up very well, but there is still work to be done, including landscaping, and completing a room for smaller parties and one of two bridal suites. He hopes to have the work completed by August, he said.

Aria is staffed by about 10 full-time workers, and between 30 and 40 part-time workers, Geloso said.

The facility will cost about $7 million, he said. The family also paid about $50,000 to relocate Murphy Road, which was part of the approval for the facility, town officials said.

“From what we hear, everybody has good things to say about it,” said Joe Jr. “The building has come out absolutely beautiful.”

Town officials say the banquet facility also has helped increase the town’s grand list.

The 2012 grand list, which is a tabulation of the value of assessed real estate, personal property and motor vehicles, jumped by about $23.1 million to a total of nearly $807 million.

A native of Italy, Geloso, 58, said he had wanted to start this project about 10 years ago, but had let it go. He has owned the approximately 15-acre property for about 15 years.

When he began to remove some trees from the property, he discovered the view.

“Once we started clearing the land, we looked around us and say, ‘Wow,’” Geloso said.

Aria Wedding and Banquet Facility in Prospect has opened as the final touches to the project are being completed. –RA ARCHIVE

The second floor, which includes two bridal suites and offices, measures 8,014 square feet, according to town records.

The entrance opens to a spacious foyer with marble floors that continue throughout most of the facility. Cream-colored paint lightens the walls. Large chandeliers accent the ceilings, and staircases are set off with ornate wrought-iron railings.

Views from the area aren’t limited to the outside. Bits of the land can be seen from many large windows in the grand ballroom, which has a double staircase where a married couple can greet their guests from above.

“This is a dream that I always had this kind of place,” Geloso said.

The former Prospect Street School in Naugatuck is up for sale. -RA ARCHIVE

Now the borough is selling it for a negotiable asking price of $900,000 to anyone who wants to turn it into a residential or light office facility.

“I think it’s always emotional,” Mayor Robert Mezzo said. “Unfortunately, there’s a time to look toward the future, and based on its geometry and capacity it’s not part of our long-term plan for our school district.”

The two-story brick building, about 41,000 square feet sitting on 1.1 acres, was constructed in 1955 and served as an elementary school until a 2010 reconfiguration turned it into a preschool. The preschool programs moved last year to the former Central Avenue Elementary School, leaving the Prospect Street building vacant.

The school was closed based on recommendations from a committee that analyzed the future of borough schools. The closure was approved by the Board of Education, which turned the building over to the borough. The Naugatuck Economic Development Corp. has contracted with real estate agent Tom Hill III to sell the property.

The building could be used for apartments, research and development, assisted living or an office facility. The borough would benefit most from something that generates tax revenue and is appropriate to the neighborhood, such as offices or a for-profit educational facility, Mezzo said.

The former school has been on the market for about two months and showings have been held, Mezzo said.

“There’s some interest,” Mezzo said. “We haven’t got to the level we’re ready to contract.”

Proceeds from the sale will help pay down the debt for various school repair projects, Mezzo said.

The building is not being considered for municipal use. The borough’s biggest need is to consolidate public works facilities, which are currently scattered along Rubber Avenue, but the school is located in a high-traffic area along Route 68 that would not be suitable for a garage, Mezzo said.

The budget for the fiscal year beginning in July appropriates nearly $86,000 to maintain the building.

Copper wiring was stolen in January from an electrical room accessed from outside the building. Power was quickly restored and no one has been charged in the theft.

Residents line Millville Avenue in Naugatuck last Fourth of July to watch the annual fireworks show held at Naugatuck High School. This year’s show will be held on Rotary Field at Breen Park due to renovations planned for the high school. –RA ARCHIVE

NAUGATUCK — The Park and Recreation Department is reaching out to the public to raise funds for the annual July 4 celebration.

The celebration is scheduled this year for July 3, with a rain date of July 5, and will be held on Maple Street downtown. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. and will include family activities, vendors, magicians and music. The fireworks show, which will be held at Breen Field North on Hotchkiss Street, is scheduled for 9:15 p.m. The fireworks will be set up so they can be seen from Maple Street.

The celebration has usually been held at Naugatuck High School, but was moved this year due to ongoing renovations to the school.

Recreation Director Kim Eyre said the entire event costs about $16,000. The borough is paying $10,000 of that cost, leaving the department to raise the remaining $6,000.

Eyre said in the past the community has always come through with donations.

“We have always had enough money. … It’s amazing,” Eyre said.

Donations can be dropped off or mailed to the Park Department, 246 Rubber Ave., Naugatuck, CT 06770. Envelopes can be marked Fourth of July and checks should be made payable to the Fourth of July Fund.

A PayPal account for online donations has been set up at www.naugatuck-ct.gov. The link is under “Notices and Announcements” on the homepage of the website. For more information, call (203) 720-7071.

Woodland’s Natalie Veneri comes into to score Monday afternoon during the quarterfinals of the NVL softball tournament versus Wolcott in Beacon Falls. Woodland won, 9-0, but fell Tuesday in the semifinals to Seymour, 11-1. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

The Wildcats exploded for 11 runs and freshman pitcher Raeanne Geffert held Woodland to only six hits as Seymour eliminated the Hawks, 11-1, in Tuesday’s NVL tournament semifinals at Wolcott High.

Seymour dominated from the beginning, plating four runs in the first inning and seven more in the fifth. The Wildcats banged out 15 hits to support Geffert, who allowed just one run. Carissa Wasikowski had three RBI, including a two-run triple in the first, while Mykala O’Hara added two hits and two RBI for Seymour.

The disappointing offensive showing for Woodland (17-5) came a day after the team looked great in a 9-0 win over Wolcott in the tournament quarterfinals. Eight of those runs came in the first three innings as the Hawks recorded 13 hits.

Woodland’s first five batters all reached base and scored. It was a drastic change from the Hawks’ 4-3 loss at Wolcott last Tuesday, a defeat which cost them a share of the NVL Brass Division title.

“When we played Wolcott last week, there was a series of unfortunate plays to start the game that increased our frustration level,” Woodland coach Loren Luddy said. “Today they were more relaxed and ready to hit. They’re ready to go; it’s the postseason.”

Brianna Pacileo led off by reaching on an error and came around to score on an errant throw caused by Brooke Leshin’s infield single. Leshin later scored on a double steal with Cameron Caswell, who singled to left.

“We just came out ready,” Leshin said. “Our bats were hot in the first inning and we kept up the intensity.”

Rachel Starkey singled through the left-side hole to place runners on the corners before Nicole Fowler stroked an RBI single up the middle to plate Caswell for a 3-0 lead.

Samantha Lee’s sacrifice fly to right made it a 4-0 game, Natalie Veneri’s double down the left-field line made it 5-0 and an error on Carla Piccolo’s grounder brought in Veneri for a 6-0 lead.

Naugatuck first baseman Sydney Cotto (50) prepares to make the catch from pitcher Nina Kosciuszek for an out Monday afternoon versus Holy Cross during the quarterfinals of the NVL softball tournament in Waterbury. The Greyhounds fell to the Crusaders, 8-3. –RA ARCHIVE

“I’ve always been good at staying calm in those situations,” said Lee, a junior pitching in her first NVL tournament after injuries sidelined her in each of the last two seasons. “I don’t get too nervous during it. I focus on hitting my spots and trying not to give batters too good of pitches to hit.”

Leshin notched the other big hit of the day for Woodland in the third, when she stroked a two-out double to plate Lee and Piccolo for an 8-0 lead. The Hawks’ other run came in the fifth, when Pacileo singled and scored on Caswell’s sac fly.

“We sped up our bats,” said Leshin, who was 2-for-3 with a walk, a run, two RBI and a steal.

Woodland will host a first-round state tournament game Tuesday.

Naugatuck falls in quarters: The Greyhounds dropped their tournament opener Monday in an 8-3 decision against Holy Cross. Naugy (14-7) only managed four hits against Crusaders pitcher Iliana Rivera as Cross won the season series, 2-1.

Erica Bohuski paced Naugatuck’s offense with two of the team’s four hits and an RBI. Jackie Aronin contributed a triple and a run.

The ‘Hounds will open state tournament play Tuesday.

Woodland’s Natalie Veneri comes into to score Monday afternoon during the quarterfinals of the NVL softball tournament versus Wolcott in Beacon Falls. Woodland won, 9-0, but fell Tuesday in the semifinals to Seymour, 11-1. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

Naugatuck first baseman Sydney Cotto (50) prepares to make the catch from pitcher Nina Kosciuszek for an out Monday afternoon versus Holy Cross during the quarterfinals of the NVL softball tournament in Waterbury. The Greyhounds fell to the Crusaders, 8-3. –RA ARCHIVE

Naugatuck's Kara Klimaszewski beats the throw to first as Holy Cross' Gianna Lagasse defends the base Monday afternoon during the quarterfinals of the NVL softball tournament in Waterbury. The Greyhounds fell to the Crusaders, 8-3. –RA ARCHIVE

Woodland’s Samantha Lee (8) delivers a pitch as Brooke Leshin settles in at second base Monday afternoon during the quarterfinals of the NVL softball tournament versus Wolcott in Beacon Falls. Woodland won, 9-0, but fell Tuesday in the semifinals to Seymour, 11-1. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

Woodland’s Brooke Leshin rips a double Monday afternoon during the quarterfinals of the NVL softball tournament versus Wolcott in Beacon Falls. Woodland won, 9-0, but fell Tuesday in the semifinals to Seymour, 11-1. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

Woodland’s Samantha White slides safely into second as Wolcott’s Rene Miller can’t haul in the throw Monday afternoon during the quarterfinals of the NVL softball tournament in Beacon Falls. Woodland won, 9-0, but fell Tuesday in the semifinals to Seymour, 11-1. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

The hearing will be held at 7 p.m. at the firehouse, 35 North Main St. A special Board of Finance meeting will follow the hearing.

The spending plan is an increase of $259,591 over this year’s $6 million plan.

That only includes municipal expenses, and not expenses for Region 16, which oversees Beacon Falls and Prospect schools. A revised school budget of about $38.6 million will go to a district meeting May 29 for a paper ballot vote after a failed referendum May 7.

According to town budget documents, the current tax rate of 31.1 mills would increase by 1.4 mills to 32.5 mills, based on the town’s budget proposal and the rejected school plan. The municipal budget proposal will increase the mill rate 0.1 alone, according to the documents.

A mill equals $1 for every $1,000 of assessed value.

Major cost-driving factors in the town plan are largely in debt service and special projects, said Jim Huk, finance board chairman. He noted that the year-over-year increase for special projects is significant because last year’s projects were paid for through a loan approved by voters outside of the budget.

Under next year’s plan for special projects, there are several items ranging from a $10,000 public works plow to $22,000 for police radios.

Beacon Hose Company No. 1 asked for a new engine at $695,000 and a roof replacement at the fire house at $100,000.

Jeremy Rodorigo, Beacon Hose spokesman, said a 1989 engine needs to be replaced, and the department has been without a ladder truck for about 10 years. The new apparatus would be two trucks in one, he said. Rodorigo said the roof has had leaking issues.
Huk said the budget proposal has $72,000 in debt service to act as an interest payment on the engine, should it be approved by residents.

Of the money being brought in from the general fund, $100,000 would pay for the roof, he said.

First Selectman Gerard Smith said he and Building Inspector Doug Colter have negotiated with contractors for a new roof price of $80,000.

Huk said if there is any excess, the money would be applied to the down payment on the engine.

Under the plan, there also is a proposed bond issue in debt service. Smith said that would refinance the town’s outstanding debt and the note that residents approved to finance 15 special projects for 2012-13.

He said town officials hope that bond issue also would include the truck and money needed to cover $375,000 in overruns for the Depot Street Bridge rehabilitation project.

The truck and overruns would require separate public votes, Smith said.

The finance board recommended including a $15,000 raise without benefits to the first selectman position, an elected position, and 2 percent raises to other elected officials. The raises will take effect after the November elections.

The budget, once finished, will go to referendum after a petition has been filed by former First Selectman Susan Ann Cable. More than 220 signatures have been certified, Town Clerk Leonard Greene Sr. said.

Cable said she originally had approached the boards of Selectmen and Finance about taking the budget to referendum because these are hard economic times.

“It gives more people the opportunity to say ‘yea’ or ‘nay,’” Cable said.

Western Elementary School Principal Melissa Cooney, right, poses for a picture with Tara Fitzgerald, who won a ride to school in a police cruiser, and Naugatuck Police Det. Sean Simpson on the first day of school in August. Cooney will be leaving Western School to become principal at Cross Street Intermediate School at the end of the school year. –FILE PHOTO

NAUGATUCK — One borough educator will be graduating from elementary school to intermediate school.

The Board of Education recently announced that Western Elementary School Principal Melissa Cooney will be taking the same position at Cross Street Intermediate School after this school year ends.

Cross Street’s current principal, Christopher Montini, will be stepping into the role of assistant superintendent of schools after this school year.

Superintendent of Schools John Tindall-Gibson said when an opening for a principal position arises the district first looks to see if any current principal would like the position. Cooney stepped forward for the position at Cross Street, he said.

“She has done a nice job at Western and we think she will do a great job at Cross Street,” Tindall-Gibson said.

Board of Education Chairman David Heller was also pleased with the work Cooney had been doing at Western.

“Ms. Cooney has been a wonderful instructional leader and collaborator. We’re very thrilled to have her,” Heller said. “We’re glad our intermediate students will experience what students at Western have been experiencing for years.”

Cooney has been working in the borough’s school system for five years, all as Western’s principal. She holds a six-year degree in educational leadership from Central Connecticut State University.

Cooney, now a Naugatuck resident, moved to the borough five years ago when she accepted the job at Western.

Prior to coming to Naugatuck she worked in the Hartford school system for 10 years, including two years as assistant principal at John C. Clark Jr. Elementary and Middle School.

Cooney said she’s enjoyed her time at Western and when the opportunity arose at Cross Street, she decided to pursue it.

“In an effort to continue to challenge myself professionally I approached the superintendent and asked him to consider me for the position,” Cooney said.

Cooney said she is pleased to be to working with fifth- and sixth-graders again.

While she is looking forward to her new position at Cross Street, Cooney said she is leaving Western with a “heavy heart.”

“Leaving Western is not an easy thing to do,” Cooney said. “I’m going to miss the students, the families and the staff terribly.”

Cooney said her main goal when she assumes the role of principal at Cross Street is to implement the new educational changes coming from the state, including new teacher evaluations and the Common Core State Standards initiative.

Cooney said she will handle the students the same in Cross Street as she has at Western, with the only difference being adjusting for the age of the students.

“Developmentally there will be some differences with that age group, so I will handle things differently in some aspects,” Cooney said.

Cooney’s move to Cross Street means the district will be searching for two elementary school principals at the end of this year.

Hop Brook Elementary School Principal Evelyn Gobstein announced her retirement earlier this year.

Tindall-Gibson said that both positions have been advertised for internal and external candidates. He expects to begin scheduling interviews in the next couple of weeks.

Prospect Mayor Robert Chatfield, left, and Town Council member Stanley Pilat discuss voting figures Monday night at the firehouse. The budget failed at a referendum by seven votes with 449 voting against and 442 voting for it. – LUKE MARSHALL

PROSPECT — The town’s proposed 2013-14 budget fell short of passing by seven votes.

Residents turned out Monday to cast their votes during a second referendum on the proposed municipal budget, defeating it by a vote of 449 to 442.

The proposed budget was $7.3 million, which was an increase of about $341,000 or 4.9 percent over the current budget. It did not include education expenses for Region 16, which oversees schools in Prospect and Beacon Falls.

Mayor Robert Chatfield said the defeat was not overwhelming, but the Town Council now has to give thought to what the next step will be.

“I want to thank everyone who came out to vote,” Chatfield said. “We have to decide what to do next.”

The council voted during its meeting Tuesday night to hold a public meeting on the third budget proposal May 30 at 7 p.m. at Community School and scheduled a referendum for June 10. A special meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Town Hall to talk about changes to the budget.

The first proposed budget failed at an April 29 referendum by 66 votes, with 501 in favor and 435 opposed. After it was defeated the first time, the council removed $110,500 from the proposed budget.

The reduction included removing $62,000 from the contingency funds, limiting the hours of the recycling center to save $5,400, cutting $500 for the Mayor’s Fun Week, removing $2,500 from the Prospect Library’s book account and removing $1,000 from the snow and ice budget.

After making those changes, Chatfield felt that it would be difficult to take any more out of the budget without hurting town services.

“If they don’t [vote to pass this budget] we’ll unfortunately have to dismantle and take things away from other popular programs and accounts,” Chatfield said in an interview before Monday’s referendum.

Judy Bryk, cook manager, sets up breakfast at Andrew Avenue School in Naugatuck last Wednesday. Naugatuck is one of two school systems in the state that had the most expansion in its breakfast programs last year. –RA ARCHIVE

The expansion and a system-wide promotion of the breakfast program earned borough schools a $3,000 award from the CT No Kid Hungry campaign. Among school systems where at least 41 percent of students are eligible for free and reduced meals, the borough’s breakfast program had the second-highest growth between February 2012 and February 2013.

“There’s so many statistics on how children learn better and test better when they have a nutritious breakfast to start the day,” said Kate Murphy, food service director for borough schools. “They’re better behaved in class.”

When students eat breakfast, they are also less likely to visit the nurse’s office in the morning for stomach aches and headaches, Murphy said.

Among the school systems serving lower-income students, only Sprague had a higher rate of breakfast program growth.

In February 2012, an average of 545 students ate breakfast at school every day in the borough, said Dawn Crayco, deputy director of End Hunger CT. By February of this year, that average was 831 students daily, a 52 percent increase.

Breakfast was added at Cross Street after administrators noted how many students there qualified for free or reduced meals. As of February, 57 students were eligible for free meals and 34 were eligible for reduced meals, compared to 153 who pay full price, Murphy said.

“That’s also why it’s important to have breakfast, for all those kids that need to come in and have a meal,” she said.

Half of the borough’s award money will support the nutrition efforts of Sodexo, the company Murphy works for and the school board contracts with to run its food services. The other half will go to the school system for “general wellness activities,” possibly including physical education or classroom health lessons.

School breakfast varies daily and can include breakfast sandwiches; breakfast pizzas topped with eggs and turkey sausage; yogurt; whole grain muffins; and pancakes or French toast, among other options, Murphy said. Breakfast costs $1.75 at Naugatuck High School and $1.10 at all other schools, with the reduced price set at 30 cents.

To promote school breakfast, its menus were added to school lunch menus. Murphy has talked to parents at meetings and students in health classes about the importance of eating before school.

Students at Naugatuck High School, where the day begins at 7 a.m., can eat breakfast in the cafeteria if they have a free period before 11 a.m.

Students at City Hill Middle School and Maple Hill Elementary School can grab breakfast as they get off the bus and eat in their homerooms, Murphy said.

Some students don’t eat breakfast because of food insecurity in their families, while others just don’t have the time in the morning, she said.

“It’s like a second chance for them to have breakfast,” Murphy said.

WILLIAM RABTOY, 55, of 39 Elmview Circle, Waterbury, was charged May 13 with driving under the influence.

Police reported on May 13 at 4:40 p.m. an officer conducted a motor vehicle investigation on Rubber Avenue. During the investigation, police reported, it was determined Rabtoy was operating under the influence of alcohol. Rabtoy was given a court date of May 22 to appear at Waterbury Superior Court and released on a $500 non-surety bond.

MARK PANDA, 32, of 136 Westchester Drive, Stratford, was charged May 13 with driving under the influence and operation with defective muffler.

Police reported on May 13 at 11:37 p.m. an officer conducted a motor vehicle investigation on Route 8 Exit 26. During the investigation, police reported, it was determined Panda was operating under the influence of alcohol. Panda was given a court date of May 23 to appear at Waterbury Superior Court and released on a $500 non-surety bond.

JOSE RIVERA, 41, of 114 Benedict St., Waterbury, was charged May 15 with larceny in the fifth degree, forgery in the third degree and identity theft in the third degree.

Police reported on May 15 at approximately 1:15 p.m. Rivera was arrested on an active arrest warrant. The warrant was for a larceny/forgery complaint made on Feb. 18, 2013. Rivera stole and forged the victim’s check in the amount of $900. Rivera was given a court date of May 16 to appear at Waterbury Superior Court and held on a $300 court-set cash bond.

JOHN BROWN, 26, of 266 Morning Dove Road, Naugatuck, was charged May 16 with two counts of failure to appear in the second degree.

Police reported on May 16 at approximately 8:13 a.m. Brown turned himself in on two active arrest warrants. Brown was given a court date of May 16 to appear at Waterbury Superior Court and held on a total court-set $300 cash bond.

ERIC MILLER, 19, of 461 Spring St., Naugatuck, was charged May 16 with disorderly conduct.

Police reported on May 16 at approximately 11:49 a.m. an officer was conducting a motor vehicle accident investigation on Cherry Street. During the investigation, police reported, it was determined Miller was wanted on an active arrest warrant. The warrant was for a domestic disturbance between boyfriend and girlfriend reported on May 3, 2013. During an argument, police reported, Miller pushed the victim. Miller was given a court date of May 17 to appear at Waterbury Superior Court and released on a $1,000 non-surety bond.

MARY CRISCUOLO, 52, of 25 Chester St., Plainville, was charged May 16 with larceny in the sixth degree and conspiracy at larceny in the sixth degree.

Police reported on May 16 at approximately 3 p.m., officers responded to Stop & Shop for a shoplifting complaint. Police reported Criscuolo with a male accomplice stole $303.64 worth of merchandise. Criscuolo was given a court date of May 29 to appear at Waterbury Superior Court and released on a promise to appear.

DAWN SAVINO, 40, of 38 Brookside Ave. third floor, Torrington, was charged May 16 with larceny in the sixth degree.

Police reported on May 16 at approximately 4:24 p.m. an officer responded to Walmart for a shoplifting complaint. Police reported Savino stole $226.56 worth of merchandise. Savino was given a court date of
May 29 to appear at Waterbury Superior Court and released on a promise to appear.

CARLOS VELAZQUEZ, 31, of 933 Rubber Ave., Naugatuck, was charged May 16 with assault in the third degree and disorderly conduct.

Police reported on May 16 at 10:30 p.m. officers responded to 933 Rubber Ave. 3R for a domestic disturbance between boyfriend and girlfriend. During an argument, police reported, Velazquez pushed the victim into a wall. Velazquez was given a court date of May 17 to appear at Waterbury Superior Court and held on a $5,000 surety bond.

MATTHEW ZACCAGNINI, 18, of 113 Rice Lane Ext., Beacon Falls, was charged May 17 with possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to yield right of way.

Police reported on May 17 at approximately 1:30 a.m. an officer conducted a motor vehicle investigation on Prospect Street. During the investigation, police reported, it was determined Zaccagnini was wanted on an active arrest warrant. Zaccagnini was given a court date of May 30 to appear at Waterbury Superior Court and released on a $500 surety bond.

PAUL SANDRI, 62, of 59 Hillview St., Naugatuck, was charged March 18 with driving under the influence and failure to drive upon right.

Police reported on May 18 at approximately 12:36 a.m. an officer conducted a motor vehicle investigation on High Street. During the investigation, police reported, it was determined Sandri was operating under the influence of alcohol. Sandri was given a court date of May 30 to appear at Waterbury Superior Court and released on a $500 non-surety bond.

WILLIAM LANCE, 24, of 46 Carroll St., Naugatuck, was charged May 18 with driving under the influence and failure to obey control signal.

Police reported on May 18 at approximately 1:50 a.m. an officer conducted a motor vehicle investigation on Maple Street. During the investigation, police reported, it was determined Lance was operating under the influence of alcohol. Lance was given a court date of May 30 to appear at Waterbury Superior Court and released on a $500 non-surety bond.

AMY WERGIN, 29, of 108 Oak St., Naugatuck, was charged May 18 with breach of peace.

Police reported on May 18 at approximately 1:14 p.m. officers responded to 108 Oak St. for a domestic disturbance between husband and wife. During the investigation, police reported, it was determined Wergin began to yell at the neighbors for contacting the police. Wergin was given a court date of May 29 to appear at Waterbury Superior Court and released on a $1,000 non-surety bond.

SAMUEL DUKES, 47, of 74-4 Round Tree Drive, Naugatuck, was charged May 18 with evading responsibility motor vehicle, reckless driving: not greater than 85 miles per hour, failure to register motor vehicle for commercial registration and operation of motor vehicle when registration or license is refused, suspended or revoked.

Police reported on May 18 at approximately 3:36 p.m. an officer responded to New Haven Road for an evading motor vehicle accident. Police reported Dukes struck the victim’s vehicle and drove away at a high rate of speed passing vehicles in the oncoming lane. Dukes was located on South Main Street and was given a court date of May 30 to appear at Waterbury Superior Court. He was released on a $1,000 surety bond.

MARCOS ROMAN, 23, of 343 Spring St., Naugatuck, was charged May 18 with driving under the influence, failure to drive in proper lane and improper hand signaling.

Police reported on May 18 at approximately 5:52 p.m. an officer conducted a motor vehicle investigation on Church Street. During the investigation, police reported, it was determined Roman was operating under the influence of alcohol. Roman was given a court date of May 30 to appear at Waterbury Superior Court and released on a $500 non-surety bond.

RICHARD CLARK, 34, of 40 Lewis Circle, Naugatuck, was charged May 19 with driving under the influence.

Police reported on May 19 at approximately 2 a.m. an officer conducted a motor vehicle investigation on New Haven Road. During the investigation, police reported, it was determined Clark was operating under the influence of alcohol. Clark was given a court date of May 30 to appear at Waterbury Superior Court and released on a $500 non-surety bond.

EROLL HODZA, 25, of 12 Corn Tassle Road, Naugatuck, was charged May 19 with driving under the influence and failure to illuminate rear marker plate.

Police reported on May 19 at approximately 1:03 a.m. an officer conducted a motor vehicle investigation on Tracy Ann Court. During the investigation, police reported, it was determined Hodza was operating under the influence of alcohol. Hodza was given a court date of May 30 to appear at Waterbury Superior Court and released on a $5,000 non-surety bond.

JESSE BROWN, 32, of 138 Under Hill Road, Sandy Hook, was charged May 20 with failure to register motor vehicle for commercial registration, operation of motor vehicle when registration or license is refused, suspended or revoked, improper use of marker plate, license or registration, two counts of failure to appear in the second degree, failure to appear in the first degree and criminal impersonation.

Police reported on May 20 at approximately 1:57 a.m. an officer conducted a motor vehicle investigation on Johnson Street. During the investigation, police reported, Brown lied about his identity due to being wanted on active arrest warrants out of Danbury. Brown was given a court date of May 30 to appear at Waterbury Superior Court and released on bond.