On Saturday, May 18, the Bike Group gathered on the State commuter lot on Route 185 and Rote 10. They set up tents with bicycles and accessories supplied by Bike businesses and others. The State parking lot clearly states,”No Sale or Distribution of Goods or Services. Violators will be subject to prosecution under Chapter 242 C.G.S Sec 13b-29 Commissioner of Transportation. Sec. 13b-29. Commuter parking facilities. Regulations. Any such parking facilities which are not regulated by municipalities on October 1, 1983, may be used only for routine, temporary parking by persons using carpool or vanpool vehicles or mass transportation facilities. The commissioner shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 governing the use of such parking facilities. Violation of any provision of any such regulations shall be an infraction. The Bike Group violated the law and is presently being investigated by the DOT. According to my conversation with the DOT, this group was told to go to the back of the parking lot not to block the entrance with town saw horses and not to set up tents in the front of the commuter lot and have nothing inconsistent with the policies of the State. There was sale and distribution of goods and services. How can the Town give a gathering permit to a group that is using State property? Did the State give them permission to include the State insurance policy for indemnity? How can the town give this group a gathering permit in violation of State law? How can the State give permission to the Bike Group to use the State Commuter lot in violation of State law? The town is saying the State gave approval and the State says they were not told the truth on how the Bike group was promoting Bike Month. Does the end justify the means? These pictures don’t lie. The State DOT is in the process of investigating my concerns; in conclusion, there was a violation of law. This is not the first time that the bicycle group has thwarted the rules of law by ignoring the permitting process for the placement of the rusty bicycle sculpture, landscaping and lights on the town land where it is placed. Why has First Selectman Mary Glassman allowed this activity without any intervention and addressed the group at the erection of the plaque, embracing this activity on town land. Both Director of public Works, Tom Roy and Engineer Rich Sawitzke are named on the plaque as committee members. How can First Selectman Mary Glassman allow these employees to devote all their time to the bike group without asking for payment of their time and services. Why has First Selectman Mary Glassman used town money to promote a private organization?
