NEWINGTON - A Town Council resolution opposing a controversial transit corridor authority bill was rejected in a 5-4 vote after councilors discussed how to interpret the language of the Governor Dan Malloy-proposed legislation.

       That’s where proponents of the resolution--Republicans David Nagel, Maureen Klett and Beth DelBuono, as well as Democrat Christopher Banach--disagree with the councilors that voted against it.

       The proposed bill, which aims to establish an 11-member transit corridor authority to facilitate development projects around train and bus stations throughout the state, has become a focus of concern--expressed by residents, Councilors, and members of the Town Planning and Zoning Commission-regarding a perceived potential to lose local autonomy.

       â€�"I have a number of reservations about the state’s involvement in development around the transit corridors,” Banach said. â€�"Local control is the best control. Local control looks at things in a more particular manner.”

       But opponents of the resolution do not think that towns would be forced to give any of that up. Deputy Mayor Clarke Castelle pointed to revisions that have been made to the proposal’s language since its earliest draft. One of them states that transit corridor authority projects would not be exempt from local zoning regulations, while another expresses intent to partner with municipalities at their request.

       â€�"The bill definitely could have been written better,” Castelle said. â€�"But fixes have been made.”

       A provision stating the Authority’s right to seize properties by a slew of means that included condemnation, or eminent domain, prompted the most concern regarding the proposal. That language was removed.

       Although the state has always had power to exercise eminent domain, the earlier language would have established that right for the quasi-public agency, according to Town Planner Craig Minor.

       Councilor James Marocchini pointed to the town’s relationship with CRDA-which helped facilitate the demolition of the former National Welding building-characterizing it as an entity similar to what the transit corridor authority is intended to be.

       Other towns would like assistance in transit oriented development projects, and CRDA can only be utilized by municipalities bordering Hartford, Mayor Stephen Woods said.

       The bill, if it passes, is unlikely to affect Newington and â€�"denying other towns” its benefits would be a â€�"disservice,” Castelle said.

       â€�"I’m not concerned about doing a disservice to the residents of other towns,” Klett said. â€�"I’m concerned about doing a disservice to the residents of Newington.”

       And while the language may have changed, the concern now is regarding the bill’s original intent and the interpretation of the legislation in the future, DelBuono said.

       â€�"As members [of the Board] leave, that interpretation can change,” she said.

       The Council voted unanimously to waive the rules regarding items listed under New Business due to the fact that legislators do not know when the bill proposal will be voted on.

       â€�"At any time this bill can be passed,” Nagel said. â€�"I’m of the opinion that if we’re going to support this resolution, we do so now, so it’s not an after the fact thing.”

       The Town Planning and Zoning Commission passed its own resolution against the bill at its meeting the following night.