NEW MILFORD — The abandoned Century Brass mill is likely to remain standing into the spring, despite earlier plans to demolish the structure by February.
Mayor David Gronbach is working with Standard Demolition Services, the contractor hired to demolish the building and do environmental cleanup, to move the project along.
“I’m working with the contractor to try to resolve some of the issues that have been raised,” Gronbach said. “I expect a fuller update by the next Town Council meeting on Jan. 14, if not before.”
Standard Demolition Services was hired in July during former Mayor Pat Murphy’s administration to demolish the contaminated 320,000-square-foot building and clean up the site. Fencing went up around the structure and construction trailers were moved to the property, but no further work has taken place.
Gronbach declined to say exactly what is delaying the project. Murphy had said in November that final approvals from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for contamination cleanup had still not been received. Standard Demolition Services needed its plans for cleanup approved by the EPA before moving forward, Murphy said.
EPA spokesman Dave Deegan said Wednesday that the agency has not yet approved the demolition.
“The EPA reviewed a PCB cleanup plan submitted by the Town of New Milford for the site, which we approved on Sept. 1, 2015,” Deegan said. “On Nov. 18, 2015, the town submitted a Contractor Work Plan for the PCB remediation work, which we also reviewed as required as a condition of our Sept. 1, 2015 approval. Our office commented to the town on the plan on Nov. 23, 2015. We have not received a response to those comments nor a revised contractor work plan. Thus at this time, the EPA has not approved the plan.” CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Upscale restaurants, boutiques planned for West Center Street in Southington
Rather than a strip mall with a large parking lot surrounded by stores, Cranberry Cove is modeled on the Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk in South Windsor, which simulate a walkable downtown with interconnected pedestrian paths. While Evergreen Walk is vastly larger — 375,000 square feet — Rickard said she hopes to turn the seven-building development along the trail into a destination “rather than just a collection of stores.”
She had the idea for Cranberry Cove while waiting for her daughter’s 40-minute dance practice. At Rickard’s development, there would be relaxing places to sit and watch the trail or the river, spots to play checkers or stores to browse while waiting for a child or spouse. It could also become a location for music or games such as bocce in the open areas and canoe rentals by the river.
Rickard bought the properties about a decade ago with this vision in mind but wasn’t yet ready to begin. Tenants such as Biodiesel One helped cover expenses during that time. Once that business stopped operations, Rickard thought it was time to begin seeking approvals for Cranberry Cove.
She doesn’t have an opening date yet but has already talked with interested tenants.
Unlike larger developments which draw chain stores, Cranberry Cove will likely attract independent boutiques and restaurants, according to Lou Perillo, the town’s economic development coordinator. While one small business by itself might find it hard to draw enough customers, the shops together would become a destination. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
The so-called Interstate Reliability Project includes station upgrades and a new 75-mile transmission line in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
"The Interstate Reliability Project improves the efficiency of the grid by eliminating system bottlenecks and improving the flow of power within our region," David Boguslawski, vice president of transmission strategy & operations at Eversource, said in a statement. "The project also supports the region's economic growth and environmental goals through greater access to newer, more efficient, and cleaner generating plants."
Work on the upgrade began in late 2013. The project is one of a handful of projects that comprise Eversource's New England East West Solutions transmission initiative, which is meant to allow electricity to flow more easily and cost-effectively from power plants to end users.
Eversource said transmission reliability has become even more vital over the past decade, as the region has faced a wave of power plant closures.
Transmission lines are also a key revenue source for utilities like Eversource.
Glastonbury Council To Hold Public Hearing Tuesday On $1.18M Plan To Replace Eastern Boulevard Bridge
GLASTONBURY — A new bridge is planned for the road leading to a large medical campus in town and residents will have their say Tuesday.
The town council is supporting a $1.8 million plan to replace the Eastern Boulevard bridge across Salmon Brook.
The road takes 6,000 cars a day from Hebron Avenue to the Gateway Medical Campus and on to Addison Road.
In 2009, the state Department of Transportation gave the bridge a "poor" rating along with spans on Naubuc Avenue, Addison Road and Fisher Hill. The Naubuc Avenue bridge was restored and the Addison Road bridge has been replaced. Fisher Hill Road bridge will be replaced in 2016."It is a structural deficiency driving the poor rating," Town Engineer and Director of Physical Services Daniel A. Pennington said. "I don't want to alarm anyone. The structure is very safe to pass over. There are no worries in the short term, but it is time to address the replacement of that bridge."
Pennington said the current structure was built in 1956 and is beginning to buckle under the road surface. He noted portions of the steel structure have lost some of their protective asphalt coating and are rusting.
Pennington said the project will use accelerated bridge techniques that will require one-way traffic for several weeks, and then a road closure for eight weeks. A prefabricated concrete deck structure will be put in on concrete footings secured 25 to 30 feet into the bedrock. A new road surface will be installed. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
GOP Leader: No Bailout For Hartford Stadium
HARTFORD — The state should not bail out the now-delayed and over-budget stadium for the Hartford Yard Goats, said Senate Republican leader Len Fasano.
Fasano, who represents North Haven, is calling on fellow state leaders to avoid using any state funds for the $56 million project, which officials now say will not be completed for the long-planned April 7 opening game.
"The problems Hartford is facing regarding their stadium are serious, but in no way, shape or form should they resort to a state bailout,'' Fasano said Wednesday. "I sincerely hope Hartford can figure out a way to move forward with their stadium, which the city has already invested in enormously. But that solution cannot involve a dime of state taxpayer money.''
He added, "Our state is in no position to be subsidizing a massive stadium project. The state's finances are in serious trouble. While one budget hole was temporarily plugged, the budget passed by state Democrats still leaves Connecticut facing a budget shortfall of at least $355 million in fiscal year 2017, which is only six months away.''Fasano was referring to the budget deal that was passed in special session before Christmas to plug a hole for the current fiscal year, which ends June 30. But deficits are projected for future fiscal years.
Fasano also asked for Gov. Dannel P. Malloy to block the use of state funds for the project. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE