The handling of the Aug. 29 Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC) hearing in which a commissioner frequently interrupted and argued with residents has drawn sharp public criticism, as has the commission’s decision to approve an amendment that relaxes some of the setback and fencing requirements for contractors’ businesses and storage yards and allows expanded hours of operation.

The petition to amend the regulations was brought by Kim Neri Simoncini, owner of Hammonasset Construction.

Public comments at the Aug. 29 hearing were met with strong resistance from PZC member Carl Neri, who, in spite of recusing himself from the Aug. 29 public hearing, remained seated and actively participated in the discussion. Neri is Kimberly Neri Simoncini’s father as well as president and owner of Neri Construction.

A video recording of the public hearing posted on YouTube by the Clinton Taxpayers Association shows Neri quarreling with residents from the table.

Lisa Mauzy, of Beach Road Extension, said, “I do find it disturbing that Carl Neri can sit right there when...”

Neri cut her off. “Look at me. Don’t be putting my name out in front. Do your talk without saying my name.”

Resident Vincent Cimino raised his voice in Mauzy’s defense.

“Carl, she’s only speaking her opinion. She has every right to,” Cimino interjected. “Don’t interrupt her.”

“You shut up! Shut your mouth!” Neri shouted. “Keep your two cents to yourself.”

After a brief pause, PZC commissioner Ed Alberino urged Mauzy to continue.

“Don’t be upset,” he said. “Just keep talking.”

“There are several things at play here,” Mauzy said. “My house was built in 1919. There was a residential home where there is now a boatload of ugly-looking vehicles that are leaking, I am sure, because nothing can sit next to that marsh...”

“Be careful what you’re saying,” Neri interrupted, warning about the potential for a lawsuit. “You better not say things if you don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He added, “If you’ve got something to say, say it.”

“I’m trying to say it,” Mauzy said. “But I do know that construction vehicles will leak if left alone for extended periods of time, especially in a saltwater area.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Neri countered.

Shortly after Neri’s comments, PZC Chairman Gary Bousquet called a brief recess.

“Everybody get a hold of themselves,” Bousquet said. “It’s embarrassing.”

When the public comments session reconvened, West Walk resident Martin Shapiro questioned the commission’s handling of the public hearing.

“I don’t know what rules of order you use…to conduct your meetings, because if you go by Robert’s Rules of Order…generally when anyone has a particular interest in a certain issue that comes up for the commission to consider…they typically don’t comment…Before Gary [Bousquet] recused himself, he allowed a member sitting [Neri] to act on behalf of the applicant. And I thought that was very improper on your behalf.”

“Who was that, sir?” Alberino asked.

“It’s a gentleman whose name doesn’t want to be called,” said Shapiro, referring to Neri.

In his closing remarks, Bousquet said, “Tonight was a complete embarrassment. In the future, here’s how it’s going to work. Everything will be directed through me. There will be no interaction with the public. I don’t want any outbursts from this table, and I certainly won’t be tolerating any outbursts from the audience.”

Despite public opposition to the contractors’ storage yard amendments, the petition to reduce setbacks and fence heights was ultimately approved at the PZC’s Sept. 12 hearing.

The vote was tied, with four commissioners in favor and four against.

Acting chairman Mike Knudsen—sitting in for Gary Bousquet, who had recused himself—cast the deciding vote. The motion passed, 5-4.