State Rep, Senator Demanding Documents Regarding Proposal For Juvenile Detection Facility In Tolland

TOLLAND, CT — A state representative and state senator Tuesday said they will continue to hound state officials over the sudden appearance of a project to place a juvenile detention center in Tolland on the main thoroughfare between Interstate 84 and the University of Connecticut.

On Monday, state Sen. Jeff Gordon (R-35th District) filed a Freedom of Information request "for all documents and communications" related to the proposal.

Meanwhile, state Rep. Tammy Nuccio (R-53rd District) promised to keep putting the pressure on state officials regarding the release of the details surrounding the choice.

The property in question is the Nerac campus at 1 Technology Drive accessed along the 300 Block of Merrow Road (No. 303) — State Route 195. Nuccio said she found out about the proposal a week ago when she was headed to the podium for a legislative Appropriations Committee meeting. Nuccio is a ranking member of the committee.

The plan has apparently been on the table for "years" but recently starting coming to a close, Nuccio said.

"I was handed a sheet of paper and was told it was coming up and no one wanted to blindside me about it, but isn't that blindsiding me about it?" Nuccio said Tuesday. "Lack of communication aside, why that location without any public input."

The facility would be part of the CT REGIONS Secure Treatment Program, a therapeutic, staff-secure residential program for court-involved youth (primarily boys aged 14 through 18) operated by the Connecticut Judicial Branch. It offers community-based treatment for six to 12 months, focusing on "trauma-informed care, education, and skill-building to facilitate successful community reintegration."

The facility would be 20 beds.

Said Gordon, who is also a physician, "That's great for rehab, but there is no mention of public safety."

Nuccio said the location is within a mile of three daycare facilities and just more than a mile away from Birch Grove Primary School.

"But if someone wanted to go through the woods, it's about a tenth-of-a-mile from the school," she said. "That could create a real situation. We're talking kids who committed felonies — Larceny One, Burglary One and Three, Assault. These are real crimes."

On his social media page, Tolland Town Manager Brian Foley said he sprung into action after hearing from Nuccio a week ago.

Said Foley, "Our staff immediately began researching. Our town planner discovered, through online research of State of Connecticut land sale activity with the State of Connecticut Properties Review Board, that the State had held an executive session — a private meeting — regarding a piece of property located in Tolland. Invited into this executive session were Mark Riesbeck — a real estate agent — and Kevin Bouley, the owner of 303 Merrow Road. Although no address was listed in state records, it became clear by the afternoon that the State was indeed pursuing a juvenile detention facility at this location.

"We further learned that the State of Connecticut has entered into a purchase and sale agreement with the property owner. We also learned that the state will not discuss any details as they have executed a non-disclosure agreement with the seller. At no time did the State of Connecticut make contact with, or provide notification to, the Town of Tolland; in fact, this was conducted in private without public hearings. Neither of our state representatives nor our state senator were given any notice of this project whatsoever."

After Foley's comments, a statement was released by Justice Joan K. Alexander, the chief court administrator. It was supposedly sent to state media outlets at 3 p.m. Friday, though a search of Patch email archives show no such announcement was sent. Gordon said the Tolland legislative contingent received it at 4 p.m. and he forwarded it to Patch Tuesday.

Gordon said the timing was curious at best.

"How convenient to send it to legislators at 4 p.m. on a Friday before a long holiday weekend," Gordon said.

The statement read:

"The Judicial Branch, along with our partners in the Executive and Legislative Branches, have worked for many years to site the community-based REGIONS Secure Treatment Program following legislation transferring this responsibility to the Judicial Branch. REGIONS is a comprehensive treatment model designed to ensure that adolescents directed by the Court are put on a path of success. It does so by creating a therapeutic environment for young people, and by providing educational, vocational, and other essential programming to assist the adolescents in their development.

"The Judicial Branch does not handle the actual purchase of any property, as this process involves
many stakeholders in state government. After a multi-year search, property in the town of
Tolland suitable for the REGIONS program was identified. We regret that lines of
communication with all stakeholders were not as strong as we would have wished.

"Going forward, it is our intention to foster an open dialogue with area legislators, town officials,
our partners in state government, and other interested parties to discuss any concerns that exist
and to ensure that the goal of creating a safe environment for Connecticut’s youth to learn, to
grow, and to succeed moves ahead."

Initial reports had a purchase and sale agreement signed but both Nuccio and Gordon said Tuesday that is not the case.

Still, Gordon said., "There has been zero job communication."

Gordon said his FIO request demands all documents and communications regarding the site choice.

Nuccio said she has sent as list of detailed questions to not only the judicial branch of government, but the executive branch as well.

"One thing I want to know is why there," she said.

Nuccio suggested an alternate site on a parcel for sale on Tolland Stage Road that abuts the state police Troop C barracks, thick woods and Interstate 84.

"If I has to go in Tolland, that would be better," she said.

Foley said the matter should be on the Feb. 24 council meeting to at least set up a public hearing date to present whatever information is gathered.

Gordon said state officials should be more transparent.

"We have to have a meeting soon," he said.