Overview:
Municipal zoning and building offices across Connecticut closed on December 10th after staff attended an organized Christmas party at St. Clements Castle during business hours. The invitation, sent statewide, encouraged officials to leave their posts for food, drinks, and festivities despite public service obligations. Presence News is investigating whether taxpayer time, vehicles, or official authority were used inappropriately.
PORTLAND, CT — December 12, 2025 —
Presence News has confirmed that a group made up of municipal zoning and building officials held a Christmas party during active work hours at St. Clements Castle. This is a luxury wedding venue located at 1931 Portland-Cobalt Road, on Wednesday, December 10th. The event encouraged all 169 Connecticut towns to close their zoning offices entirely for the day.
The invitation, which was advertised to all 169 municipalities in Connecticut, encouraged zoning officers, building officials, and land-use staff across the state to “come celebrate” at an event. This event was hosted by what attendees described as a formed organization made up by city employees registered as a local 501(c)3.
Presence News obtained the invitation directly from Winchester Town Manager Paul Harrington. He verified the details after his own zoning department was discovered closed during posted business hours. Staff reportedly told residents the department was unavailable for the day due to “training.” Yet no conferences or state-level events were scheduled in Hartford or elsewhere on December 10th.
NO SERVICES AVAILABLE – Officials went to party instead
Residents attempting to access zoning services on December 10th were met with locked offices, no posted notice, and no alternative staffing plan. This occurred despite the ongoing responsibility to review permits, conduct inspections, and manage active development cases across the state.
Town Manager Confirms Event Was Real and Occurred During Business Hours
Town Manager Harrington forwarded the email invitation to Presence News as part of standard source verification procedures.
The forwarded message confirms:
- The invitation was sent statewide causing office closures for attendance.
- The event was framed as a holiday celebration, not mandatory training.
Presence News independently checked three separate statewide training calendars. All showed no land-use conferences, continuing-education events, or approved workshops on December 10th.
Questions Raised About Accountability, Oversight, and Use of Public Time
The incident raises concerns among state residents, contractors, and developers. They rely on weekday access to zoning and building departments for:
- Permit approvals
- Project inspections
- Compliance determinations
- Public record inquiries
With some municipalities processing fewer than a dozen active permits, critics argue that closed offices undermine public trust. Staff spending work hours at a luxury event venue that people work their lives to have their wedding at may contribute to delays in an already slow permitting environment.
Legal experts note that while municipal employees may attend certain approved trainings during work hours, off-site private parties with alcohol do not meet state training requirements. These actions may violate internal ethics policies, depending on the municipality.
Presence News Contacted Municipal Offices for Clarification
When Presence News previously asked Winchester’s zoning office about the closure, the response conflicted with other town statements. Some employees claimed to be at a “conference,” while other departments described the day as a staff holiday gathering.
Only through Harrington’s documentation did the true location and nature of the event become clear.
Presence News will continue investigating:
- Which towns attended
- Whether taxpayer time or municipal vehicles were used
Editor’s Note
Presence News follows NYU-recommended source-verification standards for municipal oversight reporting.
Town Manager Paul Harrington is a newly established source. All information provided was cross-checked for accuracy before publication.
Officials, attorneys, or agencies with additional information or corrections are encouraged to contact Presence News immediately.
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