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May 8, 2008

Superior Court hears arguments over FM Global site

Lawyers for CapLease, the town of Johnston, and FM Global clashed this morning in Superior Court.

CapLease, which owns FM Global's existing headquarters, is pursuing a temporary restraining order to halt all construction at the site of FM Global’s new headquarters building off Central Avenue.

CapLease has accused town officials of bias and helping FM Global rush the construction of the building to the detriment of CapLease’s rights during the planning and appeals period for the approval of the project.

“They ignored the law to the benefit of FM Global,” CapLease’s lawyer, William Dolan, said. “If you’re FM Global and you’re in Johnston, you get what you want but no one else does.”

The town's lawyer, William Conley, argued that many of CapLease's complaints should be handled during appeals hearings before town panels next week.

"It's the town's position that most of what was addressed to you is not even properly before the court this morning," Conley said.

The town's building official has allowed contractors to finish certain foundation work, despite the appeal of planning decisions, for the purpose of keeping the site as safe as possible, Conley said.

Public Works Director Makram H. Megalli and Building Official Bernard J. Nascenzi, both named as defendants, were to be cross examined later today.

-- Journal staff writer Mark Reynolds

Posted by Jack Perry  at 11:24 AM | Permalink

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