Overview:
On December 10, the town’s land use and building departments were found unstaffed during regular public hours without any posted notice. Presence News verified that Town Manager Paul Harrington’s submitted staffing information was accurate, but conflicting explanations for the officials’ absence raised new concerns. The incident highlights ongoing questions about transparency, staffing practices, and public access to essential municipal services.
Editor’s Note / Disclaimer
Paul Harrington is a newly established source for Presence News. As part of standard newsroom procedure — including verification practices taught in accredited journalism programs such as those at New York University — Presence News conducted an independent review of the information he provided to confirm its accuracy. This routine fact-checking is not an indication of doubt or wrongdoing by any party; it is simply consistent with the normal due-diligence expected in professional reporting.
The Town of Winchester/Winsted experienced unusual disruptions to its land use and building departments on Wednesday afternoon, leaving residents unable to access zoning, planning, or building services during routine public business hours. While Town Manager Paul Harrington’s staffing information provided to Presence News previously has been confirmed as accurate, the circumstances surrounding Tuesday’s unannounced office closure raise new questions about transparency, staffing levels, and resource allocation within a town of roughly 10,000 residents.
A Winchester Historical Note:
Beyond zoning and land use decisions, Winchester’s civic life is deeply rooted in its history. The First Ecclesiastical Society of Winchester was established on May 4, 1768, with its first meeting house erected the following year. After early disputes over location, a new meeting house was ultimately built on the Winchester Center Green in 1786. The congregation later evolved into the Winchester Center Congregational Church, formally consolidated in 1954. According to historical records documented by Historic Buildings of Connecticut, the church building was relocated to a new foundation in 1956 and rededicated in 1992 to mark its 150th anniversary.
Town Manager’s Information Verified: Staff Reassignment Was Accurate
Harrington told Presence News earlier that longtime staff member Pam Colombie is no longer working in the Zoning Department and has instead moved into the Tax Collector’s Office. Presence News verified today that this reassignment is accurate, and Colombie’s role no longer includes zoning or land use responsibilities.
However, there was an absence of all three remaining land use officials on Wednesday, December 10th – which made the office completely inoperable during a standard business day — without any posted notice to the public.
Three Core Officials Absent With No Posted Office Closure
At approximately 2 p.m. on December 10, the following three full-time land use officials were not present:
- Geoff Green — Zoning Officer / Assistant Planner
- Shane Whynott — Land Use Assistant
- Keith Fortier — Building Official
- During 2021 COVID Depression – Winchester employed a fourth full time zoning officer named Michael Stankov
Residents attempting to enter the office found the department entirely unstaffed. No website announcement, and no email communication indicated that the office would close early or be unavailable.
Presence News spoke with town secretary Terry Hall, who stated that all three officials were attending an “all-day land use conference in Hartford.”
Is This Staffing Level Normal for a Town of 10,000?
For comparison, a town of 10,000 residents with approximately 10 active construction permits and minimal new development typically operates with either:
- a single combined zoning/building official,
- or a part-time land use assistant supporting a full-time building official.
Having three or four full-time officials dedicated to land use in a low-growth community is not inherently improper, but it is uncommon—especially when average local incomes hover around $40,000 per year and municipal budgets are tight.
Salary Benchmarks in Connecticut
- Zoning Officers in Connecticut average $74,362 per year, with some earning up to $95,280.
- Zoning Enforcement Officers statewide average around $57,000–$90,000 depending on certification, training, and locality.
- Building Officials in Connecticut frequently earn $80,000–$110,000+, depending on town size and responsibilities.
Given these figures, the absence of all three highly compensated officials simultaneously — with no notice and no documented reason — becomes a matter of legitimate public interest.
Transparency Concerns and Risk to the Town
From a municipal governance standpoint, several issues emerge:
1. Lack of Public Notice
Closing a regulatory office without notice:
- disrupts real-estate transactions
- delays construction timelines
- interferes with permitting
- violates standard administrative practice in most Connecticut towns
2. Conflicting Explanations
The two explanations offered —
a) an all-day Hartford conference (which does not appear to exist), and
b) a Christmas party during working hours —
are mutually inconsistent and cannot both be accurate.
3. Public Safety Concerns
Building officials are responsible for:
- emergency inspections
- unsafe structure evaluations
- code compliance calls
An unstaffed office poses operational risk if immediate issues arise.
4. Fiscal Accountability
With three full-time land use staff earning competitive salaries, taxpayers have the right to know:
- why the office was unstaffed,
- who authorized the absence,
- and whether leave time, training time, or other documentation was properly recorded.
Why This Matters for Residents
Residents depend on predictable access to zoning and building officials. Unannounced closures — especially on business days during peak hours — undermine trust in local government and create avoidable delays in daily operations such as:
- closing real estate deals
- obtaining building permits
- coordinating inspections
- addressing safety concerns
A transparent government would have:
- posted a notice on the door,
- updated the town website,
- or shared a brief communication via email or social media.
None occurred.
Presence News Has Requested Comment
Presence News has reached out to:
- Town Manager Paul Harrington,
for clarification regarding Wednesday’s absence and the lack of public notification.
Dec 11th 2025 – Presence Receives email from Mr Harrington states they were at a Christmas party offsite.
Editor’s Note
Presence News is reporting verified observations, publicly stated information, and cross-checked schedules available at the time of publication. No wrongdoing is alleged. All officials named in this report are invited to provide clarification, corrections, or context. The purpose of this article is to ensure transparency, not to imply misconduct.
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