"The course will begin on Railroad Street," provides the Road and Track Sports’ Web Page about its Christmas Run for the Children yesterday that closed traffic on Railroad Street and elsewhere, including Wellsville, Wells, Aspetuck and Young's Field Roads.
Police and Fire personnel were on the scene but it appears that the event had not been approved by the Town Council as required by Town Ordinances that also require that the event holder provide a certificate of insurance and pay for Police assistance. “I have no recollection of this ever coming before us,” said Town Councilman Ray O’Brien.
"Whatever they did was illegal," says Harry Taylor, owner of H. H. Taylor & Son, Inc. on Railroad Street, clearly angered by the interference with his business. "Evidently someone doesn't care about what goes on in downtown New Milford."
A source at the New Milford Police Department says that the Department had no prior notice of the event. “There has to be approval from Town Hall, there’s a Permit Fee and a process that we go through here,” said the source. “These street closings would obviously require Police assistance and that would have to be paid for by the permittee.”
Mr. Taylor said that he called the Department twice and on both occasions was told that it had no notice of the event.
Wally Jahn, the owner of Road and Track Sports, could not be reached for comment. Mr. Jahn has sponsored many races in New Milford including those that take place on Village Fair Days.
Mr. Jahn may now have to pay for the Town services that were provided and there may be other sanctions. Retailers may also have a cause of action.
Before moving to Brookfield, Road and Track Sports was located on the Green. The store will close on December 24.
