UPDATED -- The Republican sweep in the mid-term elections changes the players but it is too soon to know how it will affect transportation policy. Republicans strengthened their hold on the House with a projected 244 seats out of 435. The key change there is the defeat of Nick Rahall of West Virginia by Republican Evan Jenkins. Rahall, a 30-year veteran of Congress, is the ranking Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and has played a leadership role in transportation policy. Next in line for the ranking post is Rep. Peter DeFazio of Oregon. The major changes will come in the Senate. When Republicans take control there next year they will assert leadership of the key transportation committees. The next highway bill, due in May, will be drafted in the Senate by four committees: Environment and Public Works, Commerce, Banking and Finance. At EPW, Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., will replace Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif. EPW’s Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee is now chaired by Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., a strong champion for the Highway Trust Fund. The ranking Republican on the panel is Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming.
In line to chair Commerce, which is responsible for truck safety among other concerns, is Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, replacing Sen. Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia. The key subcommittee in Commerce is Surface Transportation, now led by Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut. The ranking Republican is Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri, who recently championed American Trucking Associations' push to suspend the 34-hour restart provision of the hours of service rule. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Cromwell town garage estimated at $6.2M
CROMWELL >> As town councilors continue to review a list of five proposed sites for a new town garage, officials have refined the anticipated cost of the building. The town has been presented with plans to build a 40,000-square-foot garage at a site yet to be chosen. The estimated cost for construction is $155 per square foot, which equals $6.2 million, town officials say.
And that is just the estimate for construction. It does not include the cost if the town has to purchase a piece of property. The cost estimate was provided to the town by Silver/Petruccelli + Associates, a Hamden architectural and engineering firm that is evaluating the proposal for the new garage. Last month, two Silver/Petrucelli employees presented the Town Council with five possible sites for the garage. The current public works garage located at the southern end of Pierson Park, is 36 years old and, town officials say, no longer adequate for the town’s needs. The council is reviewing five properties; three of them are privately owned and their locations have not yet been made public.
The other sites under consideration include a portion of Watrous Park and a portion of the fire district property located at the intersection of Coles and Evergreen roads. However, discussing the fire district property, Town Manager Jonathan B. Sistare said on Friday, “That’s not the top site.” Two privately owned properties are currently at the top of the list, Sistare said. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Second phase of Platt School begins
MERIDEN — City and school officials gathered outside the newly renovated pool at Platt High School Wednesday to sign and raise a ceremonial steel beam marking the official start of the second phase of construction at the high school. “This is amazing; I’ve really never been part of something like this,” school Principal Robert Montemurro said as the beam was secured into place over what will become the school’s new cafeteria and kitchen. Raising the one-ton beam symbolized the start of a new 50,000 square-foot wing at the school. The wing also includes the vocational education labs, such as an auto shop and a wood shop; as well as athletic offices and locker rooms.
The cement foundation for the new wing has already been poured, making its curving footprint easily visible. Demolition of a building section began early last month and was continuing Wednesday.
Backhoes could be seen scooping out whole sections of the old wing, which will be replaced with new construction. “There are a lot of exciting things going on outside of the windows here, and I commend the faculty and staff for keeping students on track,” School Superintendent Mark D. Benigni said at the ceremony. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Torrington voters approve bonding $52M to upgrade waste water facility
TORRINGTON >> Voters overwhelmingly approved a $52 million bonding package Tuesday for mandated upgrades to the city’s wastewater facility. The vote totals were 5,902 to 3,830 in favor of approving the funding, according to figures provided by the Registrar’s Office. Water Pollution Control Authority Administrator Ray Drew said he wanted to thank the voters, crediting them completely for the approval. “We are very happy that the voters were able to see the importance of this project,” Drew said. He said voters understood that the improvements and repairs are necessary to, “ensure the reliability of the wastewater treatment plant.” The money approved will upgrade the 75-year-old Water Pollution Control Facility on Bogue Road in Torrington, which was last upgraded in 1968. The upgrades are required to ensure the facility meets more stringent environmental mandates, including decreasing the amount of phosphorus and nitrogen levels in wastewater discharges, which was mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency. The project involves on-site, physical modifications of several structures at the facility. Phosphorus levels can be damaging to local fresh water ecosystems as the metal provides a nutrient for algae that take oxygen from the water, leaving less for wildlife and hindering local population. Failure to meet the regulations could result in fines against the city and a moratorium on new sewer connections, which officials have warned could have an adverse impact on local economic development. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE