Armed Forces Reserve Center

After another public meeting at Middletown City Hall on Tuesday, it is good to see that the Army is well on its way to a final decision on the new Army Reserve Training Facility.  This issue is one that has become one of Middlesex County’s most contentious debates to say the least.   I would like to commend the Army for using this meeting, which was the last public meeting on the facility, as a forum for residents to express their views on the issue.   Without question, a concern of the public is the increase in traffic around the area of the training facility.  To alleviate this concern, Mayor Giuliano and an advisory panel proposed the Cucia Park site as a viable prospect for the facility.  I wholeheartedly agree with this suggestion and am confident that it creates a win-win situation for the City of Middletown. Cucia Park was a unanimous recommendation by the advisory panel for good reason.  Located off of Smith Street, Cucia Park is a great example of a “pocket park.”  That is to say, the 37-acre park lies in an isolated location in the Westfield section of the city.  As such, there is minimal residential development in this area. The City of Middletown and Middlesex County are extremely grateful to the state for transferring this property after the construction of I-91 some years ago.  Although residents have enjoyed the use of this park, it is time for the City to pass this property along so that it can be used in a different way. This change is necessary because the city incurs a great deal of expense to maintain the park, which does not receive a proportionate amount of usage.  I am certain that the city’s Park Department as well as residents would benefit from freeing up the valuable tax dollars that are required to support this area.   Not only would the city be able to minimize a financial burden, but it would also be able to generate some great revenue from the Cucia Park location; Middletown will receive some substantial income from the property’s sale. The city aims to utilize this money by placing it into the city’s general fund. This income can be used to reduce the city’s debt load and really pave the way for other projects that the County can benefit from.   With that said, placing the Army Reserve Training facility at the Cucia Park site is a critical step to improving our region; it is one that must be taken. Not only will the site provide immediate economic relief from its purchase price, but it will also go on—as I mentioned in past columns—to promote our valuable local businesses.  This base will be a big win for Middlesex County. The Army Reserve Training facility can be thought of as an even bigger win for the County because the Cucia Park site satisfies a key condition set forth by local residents: a remote, non-residential location. In this capacity, Cucia Park satisfies the unique needs of the residents as well as the military.  However, we still have our naysayers on the project—who are CAVEs (Citizens Against Virtually Everything) in the community.   With this NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) mentality, these individuals continue to be negative on most development projects in the County.  The fact remains that Cucia Park is the best location in Middletown for the Army’s facility. To shift gears, I would like to remind everyone of the upcoming Chamber Breakfast next week that will feature UConn Men’s Basketball Head Coach and Hall of Fame inductee Jim Calhoun.  For those of you who have never had the opportunity to listen to Coach Calhoun speak, this year is a great time to do so.  The breakfast takes place this month on Tuesday, October 14. With a reloaded roster from last season, along with some great new additions, Coach Calhoun will discuss the very high expectations of his team as he prepares to begin the 2008-09 campaign a few days later.  There are still some seats available for this event that is one of our most well-attended Breakfasts of the year. Also, much thanks to the Yale University Athletic Department graciously providing Chamber members and friends with tickets to its football game versus Holy Cross last Saturday, October 4.  Over 2,300 people were able to enjoy a great matchup at the Yale Bowl on this day. For more information on Chamber activities, please contact Matt Fraulino at  (860) 347-6924 or email him at

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