Wethersfield residents press council after town manager supports bill to limit historic-district review

WETHERSFIELD, Conn. — Several residents urged the Wethersfield Town Council on March 16 to push back after Town Manager Ken Presley submitted written testimony in support of a state bill, HB 5508, that would exempt municipal and state-owned properties from being bound by local historic-district commissions’ rulings.

Multiple public commenters told the council they had learned about the town manager’s testimony through social media or out-of-town contacts and said the town should have provided clearer notice. "It appears to be as he's one of the leaders of our town saying this is what Wethersfield wants," said Tom Mazzarella, who asked who asked Presley to submit testimony and whether the letter reflected the town’s position.

Presley told the council he viewed his submission as personal testimony and argued the statute as written allows volunteer historic-district commissions to unilaterally block projects voters or the council approve. "This is not a letter; this is my testimony," he said, adding he still expects municipal projects to go to the Historic District Commission for comment and that the bill would preserve public input while limiting unilateral veto power.

Residents and councilors differed on whether the testimony reflected a deliberate town position or an independent action by the town manager. Christine LaSella, who lives in the historic district, said state testimony and recent town correspondence created a perception that local control was being undermined: "Exempting towns and the state from the very regulations that private property owners are required to follow is just plain wrong and unfair."

Councilors said they had varying timelines for learning about the bill. Councilor Wands described efforts to improve liaison communication between the council and the Historic District Commission, and said she supported some bill provisions that promote transparency — such as requiring HD Commission hearings to be livestreamed — while acknowledging residents’ concerns about the scope of exemptions and appeals.

What’s next: No council vote was required or taken on the bill at the March 16 meeting. Town Manager Presley said he would continue to testify when asked. Residents said they will pursue conversations with state representatives and local liaisons to make their views known to lawmakers and the Historic District Commission.

Key quote: "I would like to offer my support for HB 5508," Presley said when reading his testimony into the record, adding that university properties are already exempt and that he believes municipal exemptions would not eliminate public comment but would prevent a local commission from singularly blocking town-approved projects.

Status: HB 5508 had been reported out of committee and was proceeding through the Connecticut General Assembly; the council did not take formal action on the town manager’s testimony during the meeting.