Policeinvestigatinggraffiti message in partially finished Simsbury neighborhood
Jul. 31—The words Lajan Sal — translated to English from Haitian — means "dirty money." Those words were left there sometime Saturday night, prompting some residents to wonder if it was a message meant for the developer, who has been accused in civil court by would be homeowners of taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in deposits for land and homes and then using the money to pay creditors or keep other angry buyers at bay.
Simsbury Deputy Police Chief Chris Davis said Monday that the department is investigating the incident and that there will be extra directed patrols to the neighborhood.
"We want to do what we can to help them out," Davis said.
William Ferrigno, the developer of the neighborhood, is facing millions of dollars in separate foreclosure actions from Peoples Bank, Liberty Bank and the town of Simsbury.
In addition to street and traffic signs, residents there have been asking the developer to finish and illuminate street lights, complete drainage systems, sidewalks, curbs, cul de sacs, support columns, landscaping and siding on homes.
Last week some work was briefly done on support columns, but work activity has been quiet since, according to residents. The landscaping company hired to take care of lawn work also left the job last month due to non-payment, residents said.
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The town of Simsbury has informed Ferrigno that it won't issue any more building permits in the neighborhood until he completes the issues outlined above.
Residents have also filed complaints with the Farmington Valley Health Department over concerns that standing water after heavy rains presents a danger of mosquito infestation and disease.
The state Department of Consumer Protection has also opened at least one investigation into Ferrigno's alleged practice of taking deposits for land and home construction and using the funds to pay creditors.
Ferrigno did not respond to a request for comment.
