CREWS QUICKLY STOP FIRE IN PRESTON HOME Norwich vs. roundabouts

Preston — A Radler Road home suffered moderate damage Monday after a short-lived fire began about 11 a.m.

According to town Fire Chief Tom Casey, firefighters found one room on fire and saw smoke escaping through the door of 26 Radler Road upon arrival.

The lone occupant home at the time already was out of the house, he said.

Casey said it took about two minutes for firefighters to knock down the main body of the blaze. He said much of the damage came from smoke.

In a Facebook post, the Preston City Fire Department said the fire began in a dryer.

Casey said the cause remains under investigation.

The American Red Cross is assisting the residents of the home. Records show it belongs to Michael and Barbara Gladue.

Both of the town’s fire departments responded to the scene, along with firefighters from the Mohegan Tribal Fire Department and an engine from Norwich.

Attorney William Sweeney, representing Marcus Plaza – which houses ShopRite Supermarket, TJMaxx and several smaller stores – said the DOT project “will absolutely have a detrimental effect on the businesses” on Route 82. Sweeney said protracted construction would hurt businesses for years, and would slow traffic “to a crawl” during peak business hours.

ShopRite owner Ken Capano said the council should ask DOT “just stop the project.” He said he has several competitors in the immediate area, and during construction, his business would be devastated.

Paul Agranovitch, owner of Universal Discount Package Store, said the council should suggest alternatives, such as center left turn lanes and enforcement cameras atop traffic lights, and city police should patrol the road in unmarked police cars.

City Council President Pro Tempore Peter Nystrom, a mayoral candidate, led the effort to reconsider the project Monday. Nystrom, who voted against the endorsement in March 2016, met with business leaders and expressed concern that a protracted construction period would permanently harm businesses that have struggled to survive through the recession.

State Sen. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague, said she agreed with the council resolution and offered to work with the City Council to advocate that the project be changed in scope and size.

Will Britnell, DOT principal engineer, said earlier Monday that he was unaware of the pending council request. He said engineers are starting to lay out preliminary design for the project. The agency plans to hold a public informational meeting this year. Britnell said that schedule was discussed a year ago when the City Council adopted the first resolution.

He said DOT officials have been in communication with city leaders about the project.

“We’re happy to meet with anybody,” he said.