No Free Ride: Officials Say Driveway Repaving is ‘Not On Taxpayer Dime’

Driving down Belleview Avenue, most driveways have clear-cut points where the road paving ends and the driveway, even if new, begins.

Two in particular, however – including one at 352 Belleview Ave. – have no road seam and appear to have been completed at the same time as the town’s road repaving project. It has led to several Patch readers speaking out, shocked at what appears to be driveway work done on taxpayer dime.


Officials, including Southington Town Manager Garry Brumback, said it’s simply not the case.

“As a matter of routine policy (doing the roads project), if a resident asks and makes a reasonable request, we will accommodate them if possible, but we are not in the business of driveway repair,” Brumback said Tuesday. “It has been done in a couple areas of town, but the costs for repairs fall on the shoulders of the homeowner.”

It has been extremely rare – less than a handful of cases – but the town has worked with homeowners and private contractors to accommodate residents, he said. Tilcon was responsible for repairs to the road on Belleview Avenue and two driveways were done. The others had the end fixed, part of the curbing work and consistent with town policy, he said.

In cases where work is done, however, Brumback also noted that there was no notice or advertisement sent to neighbors regarding work. Instead the work was done only when reasonable, when it does not affect town staff or efforts. The work is also done entirely at the cost of homeowners, not the taxpayers.

For those considering work, Brumback also warns that attempting to work with the town will not likely be the most cost effective solution.

Other staff in town declined comment, referring questions to Brumback.

“This is certainly not something we make a habit of or are trying to do, but we need to consider those reasonable requests when they come forward,” Brumback said.

Your Take: Should the town be entertaining the idea of working with others in conducting driveway repairs?

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