By DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY-TUESDAY, AUG. 4-5, 2014) — All of a sudden, 100 North Street has become a popular address. Let THE PLANET share one small example. For years, the governing board for owners at the Maplewood Condominiums across from St. Joseph’s High School would have their meetings on site.

On Thursday, however, the board met in at 100 North, an address into which The Empty Suit wants to empty out 40% of city hall. David Carver of Scarafoni Associates, whose company owns four units at the Maplewood and is on the board there, “hosted” the meeting at 100. Carver is also the real estate agent at 100 North and, according to sources, a friend of the Pittsfield mayor.  Cozy.

The two apparently have been cooking up the move of city hall departments to 100 North St. since the spring, a move for which TES says he does not need council permission. First year rent is $126,000, taxpayer supplied. Locally, the move has become known as “100gate.”

There may be a “smoking gun” that will blow the lid off of the veneered box in which the mayor tried to hide this wretched deal (under the guise of streamlining the permitting process). THE PLANET has a probe under way, and the moment we can tell you more, we will. If events play out as it appears they might, THE PLANET shall present a timeline on “100gate” that will knock its feigned legitimacy into the next county — not that we would wish such a thing on Franklin, Hamden, or Hampshire,

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Of course, you know and we know that the move isn’t needed. It’s another of those wild coincidences, though, that “Dan Bianchi,” manager for Global Larry Mondello a.k.a. Global Montello Energy Group, just so happens to have his offices on the third floor of 100 North St. By his own admission, “Mayor Bianchi” still works as “Dan Bianchi” for Global. It’s unclear to which employer Bianchi devotes his greatest loyalty: to the taxpayers, to whom he pledged to be a full-time mayor, or to Global, to whom he still Jeds his Clampett.

Two Councilors Weigh in Against ‘100gate’

Bianchi’s proposed move, as unnecessary as a noise maker on St. Agnes’ Eve, has caught the attention of at least two councilors.

In an exclusive interview with THE PLANET, Ward 4 councilor Chris Connell calls the mayor’s proposed move “a waste of money. I’m not for it. The money could be better spent elsewhere. There are other options for streamlining the permitting process.”

Councilor-at-large Barry Clairmont also thinks”100gate” represents “a waste of taxpayer money for a couple of reasons. We’re doing this on the backs of taxpayers. The majority of taxpayers will get no benefits out of this move. If the rationale is to have everybody [involved in permitting] in one space, why not find room for them at city hall? Everyone is there already, except for the fire inspectors. There are storage rooms [in city hall] that could be converted to offices, and the items for storage could be sent to Hibbard School, which is used for that purpose anyway.”

Clairmont cites a second reason why the move doesn’t make sense: “The mayor has $100,ooo in the capitol budget for online permitting software. The software allows most of the permitting process to be handled online. This cuts down on foot traffic, thereby eliminating the need for this move.” He also says that even if moving all the permit inspectors under one roof, “it doesn’t mean they’ll be there [in the building] when you show up for a signature, thereby nullifying the advantages of having them all under one roof.” That last point illustrates the folly, in 2014, of allowing permitting to be a matter of physical proximity of offices depending on the physical presence of all office holders.

A Plan of Action

Clairmont says that at the next council meeting, set for Aug. 12, he intends to submit a petition with a list of pertinent questions regarding “100gate.” The petition asks that the questions be forwarded to the mayor, who is to report back to the council with his answers. The questions are numerous. For example, if the mayor pulls off the deal for “100gate,” does he come in for any benefits as a consequence, either personally or through his company, for example, rental adjustment or cash bonuses?

“I would like the mayor to come forward and answer my questions for the council,” Clairmont says. And for taxpayers.

Clairmont says he has filed a public information requests for any communications regarding 100 North Street among the offices of mayor, city solicitor, the purchasing department, the building inspector, and DPU head Bruce Collingwood. Clairmont says he filed his requests with the city on July 25 and 29.

Connell Wants Answers from the Corner Office

“I’m inclined to support councilor Clairmont’s questions,” Connell said, adding that he has many of his own to ask. “I’d like to see a cost-benefit analysis on this move. Will permitting be streamlined? That needs to be answered. So far, the mayor has not made a convincing argument.

Connell and Clairmont both told THE PLANET that “everyone” that they had heard from regarding “100gate” has been against it.

By Aug. 12, when the council meets, who knows where the mayor’s latest sell-out of taxpayers will stand? If a lease has been signed by then, without council oversight, a state investigation or court action against the mayor seemingly would be in order. When Clairmont submits his petition asking his council colleagues to support petition to the mayor, our Right Honorable Good Friends will have another chance at redemption.

THE PLANET urges every member of the council to approve Clairmont’s petition. All it does is ask questions. To vote no will be a tell-tale sign of obstructionism. It will also be the equivalent of giving The Finger to citizens and especially taxpayers.

Anyone who cares about due process, due diligence, and citizens’ rights will not object to the mayor supplying answers on “100gate” to his co-governors, the council. Any councilor who votes against Clairmont’s questions will surely be voting to protect the mayor’s interests over the taxpayers.

Election time next year will not be friendly to any such councilor.

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“Exit, huffin’ ‘n puffin’ all the way, stage left.” — Snagglepuss, Hanna-Barbera cartoons, 1959-65, voiced by Daws Butler.

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.