Local police and federal agents conducted a pre-dawn operation targeting dozens of criminal suspects in Waterbury. About 50 officers participated in the operation, arresting several people wanted for various crimes. Meanwhile, construction of the I-84 widening project is progressing, with rock blasting moving to a new 10-acre site near Reidville Drive in order to clear land for relocating the highway and a road. Additionally, the Republican minority leader of the Waterbury Board of Aldermen switched from the Republican to the Democratic party and will seek re-election as a Democrat.

1. Local News
DAILY DIGEST
>>> OBITUARIESONPAGE5-6B
REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015
SPORTS STARTS ON THE
BACK OF THIS SECTION
B
SECTION
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Romania's
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BY JONATHAN SHUGARTS
REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN
WATERBURY — Teams of
police officers and federal
agents spread throughout the
city in the pre-dawn hours
Wednesday in a coordinated
o p e r a t i o n
aimed at
heading off
summertime
crime.
An esti-
mated 50 of-
ficers, including U.S. Mar-
shals and probation officers,
took part in the operation,
which targeted dozens of sus-
pects for a variety of crimes.
Roundupcorralssuspects
JIM SHANNON REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN
Waterbury police take Thomas Hotham Jr., 26, into custody during a police sweep on
Wednesday that targeted dozens of people. Hotham, who was rousted out of bed in a
Quality Inn on Scott Road, was charged with third-degree assault in connection with a do-
mestic incident involving a female. About 50 Waterbury police officers, along with U.S Mar-
shals and probation officers took part in the operation.
50 officers
target dozens
in city raid
>> Inside A
list of charges
for those
arrested,
Page 5B.
BY ANDREW LARSON
REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN
WATERBURY — The
main blasting operation along
Interstate 84 is moving from
the Hamilton Avenue area to
the end of the Exit 24 east-
bound off-ramp, where near-
ly 10 acres of rocky terrain
needs to be cleared to make
way for the relocated high-
way and a new path for Rei-
dville Drive.
The work is part of the I-84
reconstruction project, which
involves widening the high-
way to three lanes in each di-
rection between Washington
Street and Pierpont Road.
The project is scheduled to be
completed in June 2020, with
incentives for the contractors
to finish in 2019.
Rock blasting at the end of
the Exit 23 eastbound off-
ramp and north of I-84 west-
bound near Hamilton Avenue
will continue two or three
times a week as it nears com-
pletion. The blasting subcon-
tractor, Maine Drilling and
Blasting, will shift its focus to
a large parcel east of the in-
tersection of Harpers Ferry
Road and Reidville Drive.
Crews will blast rock and ex-
cavate about 90,000 cubic
meters of earth and rock ma-
terial from the site.
Blasting along Reidville
Drive began in May. About
25,000 cubic meters of mate-
rial has been removed so far,
according to Project Engi-
neer Christopher Zukowski,
of the state Department of
Transportation.
STILL HAVING A BLAST
CONTRIBUTED
This aerial photo shows a nearly 10-acre site south of Reidville Drive at the intersection of Harpers Ferry Road that is being
blasted as part of the Interstate 84 reconstruction project. Eventually, I-84 will be relocated, crossing through the current
footprint of Reidville Drive, and Reidville Drive will be moved south, through the current blasting site, before returning to
its normal configuration west of the Kukas Lane intersection.
I-84 excavation moving east to 10-acre site
See BLAST, Page 5B
See CRIME, Page 5B
BY PENELOPE OVERTON
REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN
WATERBURY —
The Republican mi-
nority leader of the
Board of Aldermen
switched his politi-
cal affiliation
Wednesday and will
seek re-election as a
Democrat.
Paul V. Ciochetti,
a retired school principal and
head of the city parking au-
thority, had told Republicans
earlier this week that he was-
n’t going to run again,
citing his age and
health.
On Wednesday,
however, he sent out
an email to Republi-
cans saying he was
leaving the party to
run with his friend,
Democratic Mayor
Neil M. O’Leary.
CiochettiturnsDemocrat,
butthepartydoesn’tlast
Ciochetti
CONTRIBUTED
See CIOCHETTI, Page 3B
BY PAUL SINGLEY
REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN
NAUGATUCK — An ar-
chitect who planned to build
96 studio-style apartments
for artists in the former
General DataComm build-
ing downtown believes local
officials no longer support
his project because they are
banking on another develop-
er to renovate the property.
Seymour-based architect
Joseph Migani wants to
move forward with plans to
complete his Art6 project in
the 320,000-square-foot
building at 6 Rubber Ave.,
even though borough lead-
ers said last week they have
chosen not to extend his op-
tion on the property for an-
other six months.
Artisthousingplan
seenlosingsupport
See BUILD, Page 3B
WAT E R B U R Y
Man wanted in Waterbury
arrested in New York
U.S. marshals arrested a man in New York who
police say was involved in multiple crimes in Wa-
terbury.
Marcus Robinson, 22, was found at a location
off Interstate 95 in the Bronx.
Robinson was wanted by po-
lice in connection with several
felonies, but most recently was
seen fleeing from an SUV that
held two suspects in an armed
kidnapping during a carjacking
and a separate assault on a po-
lice officer that left the officer
with stitches to the face.
Police say that Robinson was
inside the SUV when police tried to take the other
men into custody on Willow Street earlier this
month, but escaped on foot. Robinson is wanted
for felony charges that are unrelated to the rob-
beries or the assault, but now faces additional
charges in connection to running from police.
Robinson is expected to be transported back to
Waterbury to face the charges.
N A U G AT U C K
Woman arrested in connection
with purse thefts in 2013
A local woman who is accused of stealing purs-
es from the Naugatuck YMCA and Naugatuck
High School nearly two years ago was arrested on
a warrant Monday.
Tiffany Johnson, 20, of 315 Willow St., Nau-
gatuck, is accused of stealing a purse containing
an iPhone, a check book, a debit card and various
other items in September 2013. She used the debit
card to make purchases at a restaurant, a gas sta-
tion, Ocean State Job Lot and Stop & Shop grocery
store, police said.
Johnson is also accused of stealing a purse con-
taining an LG cellular phone valued at $120 from
Naugatuck High School in November 2013.
She was released on a $2,500 non-surety bond
and given a court date of July 22 to appear at Wa-
terbury Superior Court.
WAT E R T O W N
New pastor excited to be
at St. John the Evangelist
After two weeks at St. John the Evangelist
Church, the Rev. Anthony Smith said he’s excited
to lead the church and make connections in the
community.
After earning his bachelor’s degree in commu-
nication from the University of Connecticut, the
Ridgefield native earned his bachelor’s in theolo-
gy in Rome. He was ordained as a priest in 2011
and was stationed at St. George in Gilford, then in
the Office of Vocations in Bloomfield for the past
two years.
This is his first assignment as a pastor.
Smith said he wants to build a strong faith com-
munity in Watertown, be part of a vibrant parish,
and serve the people of town.
“It’s a beautiful town,” Smith said. “It’s a very
exciting time.” He said he’s looking forward to
getting to know people in town and build relation-
ships. “This is where God’s calling me is to be
here with good people in Watertown at this time,”
he said. Before starting as St John’s pastor July 1,
Smith rode a bike from Litchfield to Maryland to
raise money for the parish school. He said St.
John’s is a good school and he looks forward to
working with students and making the best school
he can. “There’s a lot of an opportunity here,”
Smith said.
WAT E R B U R Y
Saint Mary Elementary
accepting new students
Saint Mary Elementary School is accepting stu-
dents for the 2015-16 academic year.
The school describes itself as a place that im-
parts moral values; respect for self and others; an
appreciation for service and faith, while offering a
curriculum beyond Common Core standards.
The school is located across from Saint Mary
Hospital. For information or to schedule a tour, call
203-753-2574. Information is also available through
the school’s website at stmaryschoolwtby.org
WAT E R B U R Y
2 events scheduled
at theater loading dock
The Palace Theater’s first-ever “Rock the
Dock” open-air summer series will begin Friday
at 5:30 p.m. at the theater’s loading dock, Brook
Street.
ACTJamsProductions’ Al “DJ ACT” Taylor
will host the first of two events, taking requests
for favorite dance party hits from yesterday and
today.
Tickets are $10 general admission and can be
purchased online at www.palacetheaterct.org, by
phone at 203-346-2000 or in person at the box of-
fice, 100 East Main St. In case of inclement weath-
er, the events will be moved inside the theater’s
orchestra lobby.
Robinson
CONTRIBUTED