NEW MILFORD — The first of three information sessions about a proposed power plant kicked off Wednesday with a crowd of more than 150 residents, dozens of them wearing stickers depicting a panda encircled and slashed in red.
The subdued atmosphere turned tense at the end of the 2½-hour presentation when audience members, frustrated by a lack of new information, began yelling out questions. Most of the concerns centered on emissions and what the project would mean for property values — issues that have been raised by residents since the proposal was introduced last month.
Panda Power Funds, a company based in Dallas, hopes to buy the former Century Brass mill site for $2.8 million and build a 550-megawatt plant to be powered by natural gas.
“I want answers or otherwise our answer to you is ‘no,’ ” one woman said.
Bill Pentak, vice president of investor relations and public affairs for Panda Power Funds, assured the crowd the company had nothing to hide and wanted to work with New Milford residents.
“We’re very early in the process,” Pentak said. “We don’t even have a site. There’s no project yet.”
Before Panda proceeds with the studies that would provide information residents seek, the town needs to approve an option agreement with a Town Council vote and referendum. This would give the company assurance to spend $2.5 million to gather the data and develop the plans without worrying the town would sell the land out from under them.
The proposal would have to be approved by the state Siting Council and Department of Energy and Environmental Protection before the plant could be built. Panda officials assured the crowd that the public would be involved throughout the entire process.
The first two hours of the presentation incorporated information the company shared at the Town Council and Economic Development Commission meetings last week, and answered submitted questions.
Kevin Bielmeier, the town’s economic development director, said 23 residents submitted 109 questions, some of which were also read after the PowerPoint portion.
Pentak said the project would use the most efficient emissions controls and meet the state’s air quality standards, but also that it was hard to determine the exact levels of emissions until equipment is selected.
The presentation mentioned that the six main emissions monitored are carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particle pollution and sulfur dioxide.
Pentak said the plant shouldn’t affect property values because it would be built in an industrial zone. Many residents disagreed, and some asked about the properties in residential zones but within a mile of the proposed plant. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
$62M Project To Remake, Expand Two Landmark Buildings At CCSU
Central Connecticut State University expects to begin construction soon on a $62 million renovation and expansion of DiLoreto and Willard halls.
At a ceremony Wednesday, CCSU leaders said modernizing and enlarging the half-century-old buildings will serve future students.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy agreed but said there's another important reason for the work: stemming the loss of young adults who go to other states to begin their careers.
"If we're going to be competitive, we must be investing in an ongoing basis. We need to make sure graduates go on to secure positions in our state so we can compete with the rest of the world," Malloy told about 100 students and faculty. "We owe it to future generations, we owe it to taxpayers." Willard and DiLoreto are two landmark buildings at Central, but campus officials say their layouts have become outdated.CCSU plans to gut and reconstruct the interiors of both three-story buildings, which stand near each other in the southwestern corner of campus. Contractors will replace roofs and windows, install an elevator, and add about 30,000 square feet of space – mostly for classrooms – along with a connecting atrium between the buildings.
The new complex will ultimately have 22 classrooms along with extensive administrative office space. Total square footage for the two buildings and the new connector will be more than 130,000, the school said.
The English department will move to the complex, which will also house the student services department.
"Central plays a key role in our state's social, cultural and economic development," university President Zulma Toro said. "This facility will help ensure the futures of many students who pass through these halls."
Laura Tordenti, vice president of student affairs, predicted the new complex will make it easier for students by combining all of her department's operations in one place.
"No longer will students be ping-ponged around the campus in search of services," Tordenti told the audience.
Voters give thumbs up to projects in Ansonia, Derby and Seymour
Valley voters gave their blessing on Election Day to several projects geared to give local roads, buildings and schools a facelift.
In Ansonia, eight questions on the ballot, asking voters to approve borrowing $18.3 million, all passed with flying colors.The largest project includes $12 million to construct a new police station, slated for Olson Drive. The city plans to borrow a low-interest, 40-year loan from the U.S. Departure of Agriculture (as Ansonia qualifies as a rural community) to fund the facility. The existing police station is housed in the former Larkin School, built in 1894, which is cramped, deteriorating, unequipped with proper jail cells and way beyond its useful shelf life.Police Chief Kevin Hale expressed gratitude to voters. “On behalf of the men and women of the Ansonia Police Department, I would like to thank all of the residents of Ansonia who voted to approve the construction of a new police facility,” Hale said Wednesday. “We worked very hard to make sure that our residents had the information necessary to make an informed decision and we are very pleased that those efforts paid off.”
Hale said the challenging part begins now: “Building a functional, state-of-the-art police facility that not only our employees, but all Ansonia residents can be proud of. We look forward to that challenge.” Ansonia voters also approved $6 million for city, school and public safety upgrades. City officials said the approved projects won’t impact taxes because the new debt will replace old, retiring debt.The other projects entail $1.6 million for the Board of Education; $510,000 for relocation and renovation of senior center; $215,000 for citywide communication upgrades; $1 million for public safety; $720,000 for public works; $1 million for roads and $1.1 million for vehicles. “I am excited about the future of Ansonia,” said Mayor David Cassetti. “It is my job to make sure that we are heading down the right path and I firmly believe we are doing so with these projects.”In nearby Derby, voters approved one of two ballot questions dealing with changes to the City Charter. The question that passed dealt with some minor charter changes, including how city departments make certain purchases that require sealed bids. Sealed bids are required on items that cost $15,000 or more, but not for items costing $2,500 up to $15,000. Those items will now require written proposals and be required to go out to competitive bid. Other housekeeping issues, such as changing the title of the Street Commissioner to Director of Public Works were approved under that charter change. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE