A.J. Penna Expansion Runs into Neighborhood Opposition

By: Sandra Diamond Fox
Source: The Hour, Norwalk, Conn. (TNS)

Nov. 5—NORWALK—Dozens of people living near an excavation business in Norwalk have complaints dating back many years on excessive noise from equipment, nighttime operations, and lack of dust control from the business.

Vincent Penna, the owner of the business, says he’ll work with the neighbors to resolve their concerns.

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Peter Wilson, whose home abuts the 60-year-old business—A.J. Penna & Son Excavating Contractors at 284 New Canaan Ave., said in an interview he and his neighbors “have suffered for over seven years. Loss of sleep and general frustration have caused meaningful damage to people who surround (the) business.”

At an Oct. 22 Planning & Zoning Commission public hearing, Wilson, along with more than half a dozen other neighbors of Penna’s business, spoke out in frustration.

The hearing was held because Penna would like permission from the city to expand his business and be allowed to do more intensive work than his current special permit allows.

Wilson said he and his neighbors oppose Penna’s request because they’ve already been negatively affected and “adding more noise and pollution will only make it worse.”

At the hearing, neighbor Alain Chabert said his property is being affected by the material, dust, pollution, noise, and vibrations coming from Penna’s business.

He said his wife works from home a few days a week and during the day, “you can’t even work with the windows open. ...We hear him at three or four o’clock in the morning, the trucks slamming .... the lights that you could see from our bedroom window.”

Chabert said the business isn’t designed for his neighborhood. “It’s a loud industry that’s in a residential area,” Chabert said.

Eric Bernheim, Penna’s attorney, along with professionals working with Penna, proposed solutions to resolve the neighbors’ complaints, on issues including the height of dump trucks, whether supervisors are on site 24 hours, and the slamming of tailgates.

Penna said he’s a hard worker and plans to “abide by the rules.”

“I’m not trying to deceive the Wilsons or any of my neighbors... My men are my livelihood. I have to work. I have to continue with my business,” he said. “I’m a fighter. I’m staying here. ... So let’s try to do it together.”

Family owned since 1947, A.J. Penna & Son Excavating Contractors provides water, sewer, septic, drainage and underground utility repair and installation.

Bernheim said the majority of the business’s calls are for emergency repairs. On average, they receive over 600 emergency calls per year, he said.

Prior to 2017, Penna was operating his business at a contractor’s yard at 10 Goldstein Place, in the old National Guard Armory on New Canaan Avenue.

Due to its proximity of the Walk Bridge project, which will replace the 128-year-old Norwalk River Railroad Bridge, the state and the city approved Penna to move his business to New Canaan Avenue.

The public hearing closed and the Planning & Zoning Commission will deliberate and consider voting at its Wednesday meeting.

Story includes previous reporting by former Staff Writer Robert Koch.

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