This artist’s rendering shows the Albini funeral home/crematory proposed for Benson Road in Middlebury. The design was approved by the Middlebury EIDC. (Rendering courtesy CK Associates Inc.)
By TERRENCE S. MCAULIFFE
The Middlebury Economic and Industrial Development Commission (EIDC) at its April 26 meeting unanimously approved the design of the proposed Albini Funeral Home and Crematory planned for Benson Road. That approval is a necessary step towards construction approvals from the Planning and Zoning Commission. It also welcomed new member David Cappelletti and discussed objectives for the commission in promoting economic development.
Land for the new building, with about five to 10 usable acres fronted on Benson Road, was purchased from the Town of Middlebury in June 2015 by Raymond and Panagiota (Penny) Albini. It was acquired by the town in June 2014 from Baker Residential in lieu of $75,925.07 taxes owed. The Albini family owns the Albini Funeral Home on Chase Parkway in Waterbury. Zoning regulations were revised in November 2015 to permit funeral homes in Middlebury’s LI-200 zone.
Construction of the 8,000-square-foot building will be managed by structural engineer Joseph L. Calabrese, owner of a company bearing his name in Waterbury. He introduced architect Alphonse K. Kuncas Jr. of CK Associates in Waterbury and roofing and siding consultant Mario Almeida of Metro Supply in Danbury.
Kuncas used a site plan to describe the rectangular building, which has two carports, two parlors, administrative offices, bathrooms and a crematorium. Parking for 100 cars is included, along with space for a possible 2,000-square-foot expansion. Raymond Albini said the funeral home would be an annex to the one he operates in Waterbury. He said cremation rates are rising nationally and he expects them to rise in Connecticut.
Calabrese said Connecticut field stones or New England mosaic stone, as used on the Moore, O’Brien and Foti building on Straits Turnpike, will be used in pillars and columns. Two copper-topped cupolas will follow the theme of the cupola on the Middlebury Historical Society building. Almeida showed samples of PVC cedar shake siding, Timberline asphalt shingles and Azek molding that will be used.
A crematory garden for onsite burial, not fully described in the site plan, is planned for four or five years in the future, Calabrese said, and will be designed by a landscape firm familiar with such designs.
In other matters, newly appointed commissioner David Cappelletti was welcomed as a new member. Cappelletti, a former member of the Middlebury Board of Finance, agreed to help the commission develop written objectives and plans for economic development.
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, May 24, at 6:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Conference Room.
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