Killingly voters OK $25.8M sewer upgrade
KILLINGLY - Less than a month after its 8-vote defeat at referendum, a controversial $25.8 million proposal to overhaul Killingly’s wastewater treatment facility was approved by taxpayers at a Tuesday town meeting. The 175 to 49 hand vote in the high school’s auditorium means town leaders can move forward a raft of needed repairs to the 42-year-old facility that runs around the clock. Chief among them will be an upgrade to the filtration systems that regulate nitrogen and phosphorus from effluent that has found its way into the Quinebaug River and no longer meets state and federal guidelines. In all, more than 40 enhancements will be made throughout the plant. “It’s almost kind of a waste of time to argue about it. Let’s just do it. We need it,” resident Steve Krzywda said. “We know the facility we have now is outdated. Let’s not put this off any longer.” CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
A rough road ahead for transportation improvements
At first glance, Connecticut’s transportation system is in line for a big boost no matter who wins the race for governor. Greenwich businessman Tom Foley, the Republican nominee, says transportation needs more resources and will rank among his highest priorities. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy insists his administration already has elevated transportation spending to new heights, and that – if he is re-elected – things only will get better. But as candidates tout their transportation platforms, they simultaneously espouse other fiscal positions that would all but eliminate any hope of a major boost in transportation spending. And despite four fuel-tax increases over the past decade, Connecticut’s aging, overcrowded transportation system – as well as the state agency that cares for it – in some ways are worse off than they were 10 years ago. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Construction employment increased in 36 states during the past year'
Construction firms added jobs in 36 states between August 2013 and August 2014 while construction employment increased in 28 states between July and August, according to an analysis of Labor Department data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that construction activity continues to spread across most of the nation even as employment gains remain uneven by month and state. “The number of states with increases in construction employment over the last 12 months moderated in August but remained strongly positive as construction activity continues to spread across most of the nation,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “While most states remain far below pre-recession peak employment levels, more states are approaching previous highs and more contractors have been reporting difficulty in hiring qualified workers. These trends are likely to intensify if the recovery in construction continues.” CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE