www.southingtoncitizen.com
Volume 20, Number 34
Friday, August 25, 2023
Southington council appoints deputy town manager By Jesse Buchanan Record-Journal staff
Meriden Detective Lt. Shane Phillips, second from right, and Deputy Police Chief Jeremiah Scully show a video clip of a burning car near the playground at Hubbard Park during a press conference at the Meriden Police Dept., Friday, August 11. Dave Zajac, Record-Journal
A stolen kitten and a long history of criminality: More details of crime spree emerge By Mary Ellen Godin Record-Journal staff
The day after his 18th birthday, on Nov. 6, 2022, Meriden’s Robert Barbera allegedly stole a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport from a Cheshire resident, according to an arrest warrant filed in June. Barbera was well-known to several police departments prior to a recent crime spree that ended in Meriden. He and five other individuals were arrested Aug. 10 and charged with armed robbery, car thefts, dangerous pursuits and arson from Torrington to Branford, South-
ington, Wallingford, North Haven, and Meriden.
seat of the stolen car. According to a press release issued by the Meriden Police Barbera was charged with Department, officers “bemultiple counts related to lieve the kitten was acquired the incident and initially somewhere between the held on $1 million bond. On robbery in Wallingford, Friday, Aug. 11, the bond Branford, Southington and was reduced to $800,000. Torrington.” Police hope The only other adult someone recognizes the fecharged, Kyle Mitchellline and can help reunite Howe, was initially held on a him with his owner. Those $500,000 bond, but saw his with information can call reduced to $100,000. Both Meriden Animal Control men are in custody in New Unit at 203-235-4179 or poHaven. The four juveniles in- lice communications at 203volved in the case were 238-1911. turned over to juvenile au“Robert is a known car thief thorities. and was arrested by Meriden Police also discovered a 7week-old kitten under the See Crime, A18
and isn’t a town employee. The corporation counsel, a position created last year, oversees all other town legal matters, advises boards and commissions and is a town employee.
SOUTHINGTON — Southington will have a deputy town manager following the appointment of attorney Alex Ricciardone MonLou Martocchio replaced day night in a party-line Ricciardone as town attorvote. ney, a part-time position. While Town Council mem- Martocchio and Ricciarbers of both parties done worked together at praised Ricciarthe Martocchio & done’s work, ReOliveira law firm. publicans supportRicciardone holds ed the appointthe rank of captain ment while in the Air Force ReDemocrats opserve and processes posed it. court martials and Democrats objectdischarges. He’s ed to someone bebeen practicing law ing proposed for Ricciardone since 2010. the deputy town manager position Ricciardone dewithout a broader search scribed the appointment and without more time for as a formality since he’s aldeliberation. ready been performing Private practice to town corporation counsel
many of the deputy town manager duties.
Ricciardone is the town’s corporation counsel and handles the majority of the town’s legal work. He was appointed assistant town attorney in 2019 and town attorney in 2021.
“I have had excellent conversations with almost every Town Council member since the meeting (of both parties) and they all expressed their confidence in my role going forward,” Ricciardone said. “I look forward to continue serving the citizens of South-
The town attorney represents the Town Council
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