Recycling Inc. Is No More in Milford

By Brian McCready

It really looks like it’s all over for Recycling Inc. and neighbors at 990 Naugatuck Avenue can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

The conclusion is there will be no recycling center at 990 Naugatuck Avenue, much to the delight of neighbors.

A Connecticut Department of Environmental and Energy Protection hearing officer concluded this week that “RCI submitted an incomplete and misleading application that omitted certain required information and provided inaccurate and false information regarding its ownership, financial stability and corporate structure and operations.

“The application also did not reveal that Gus Curcio, Sr., who has a history of non-compliance, had an ownership interest in RCI at the time of its application and was also involved in its operations and financing. In addition to the reasons for the permit denial, additional grounds for revocation of the general permit registration include RCI’s false information in its application for registration and non-compliance with the reporting requirements under the General Permit,” the hearing officer’s report concluded.

State Sen. Gayle Slossberg, D-Milford, who worked with the residents to fight the proposed recycling center, said “It’s over! DEEP has finally decided to deny the application for a permit to construct and operate a volume reduction facility and revoke its registration under the DEEP general permit.”

Donna Rae Henault Caporaso said on Facebook that this final (formal) determination from the DEEP is wonderful news, though we knew this would be the final outcome back in 2012. Thank you all for your letter writing, phone calling, signposting and research efforts! You have proven that when people get together for a common cause they can make a difference! Great job all!

What’s next in the process?

The parties have until September 9, 2014 to file exceptions and/or requests for oral argument. These are steps in the process that allow challenges to the proposed final decision.

Once those steps are concluded, the Hearing Officer will issue a Recommended Final Decision which goes to the Commissioner, or his designee, for final action by the Agency. The final decision of the Agency can be appealed to Superior Court.

Back in 2012

The hearing officer’s ruling reaffirms what the DEEP decided in 2012. In 2012 the DEEP said they had withdrawn Recycling Inc.’s temporary approval for an expanded permit at the 990 Naugatuck Avenue facility.

The DEEP also notified company officials that the agency planned to revoke their general permit, which had allowed small-scale recycling activities at the site.

Recycling Inc.’s days were numbered when a judge declared convicted felon Gus Curcio Sr., and not Darlene Chapdelaine, the owner of Recycling Inc. On all of the company’s applications Chapdelaine represented herself to be the company’s owner and not Curcio.

City officials led by outside general counsel David Slossberg requested the DEEP revoke and deny Recycling Inc.’s permit because they misled the agency as to who is the owner.

Curcio was sentenced to 27 years in federal prison for extortion in 1985. He was released after serving 11 years.

Chapdelaine has said she planned a $20 million project including constructing several new buildings, along with bringing barge and rail access to the site, which she had said would lead to significant tax revenue for the city, and create 250 new jobs.