GREENWICH — The Board of Education will discuss seeking interim appropriations to pay for improvements to the Hamilton Avenue School playing field and for testing and development of a remediation plan for Western Middle School’s fields during a meeting Thursday.
Board members will also revisit electing a chairman, which left them deadlocked at their last attempt.
Managing Director of Operations Jim Hricay has proposed an interim appropriation of $250,000 to pay for the job at Western, which includes soil sampling and delineation of lead, chlordane and PCB contamination. The extent of contamination by the first two substances has been determined. Engineers are still working to determine the extent of PCB contamination.
The work, by the firm Langan Engineering, has been ongoing this fall. In October, the board approved $50,000 to be transferred from its maintenance budget to fund Langan’s work.
The board does not yet have a dollar amount for the project at Hamilton Avenue’s field, but Hricay described the playing area as “sub-optimal” in his appropriation proposal.
The field has a five foot difference in elevation from one end to the other and a bumpy playing surface because it was used to store materials during the construction of the school.
Leveling the field would require the excavation and movement of soil, which in turn would necessitate testing the soil before any work began, said Director of Facilities Ron Matten.
Both appropriations have been a subject of debate this fall as board members disputed whether the town or the school district should have responsibility for the cost of fixing soil contamination.
In October, Board member Jennifer Dayton insisted on interim appropriations to pay for the needed work on the fields at both schools as soon as possible, regardless of what testing might be needed at Hamilton Avenue.
Board Vice Chairwoman Barbara O'Neill said, "I don't think it's the board's responsibility to do anything more than level the field. ... We know we are going to have to test, and the chances of finding something there are pretty good. So we have to consider this: Is this really something we want to take on, or is this something for DPW and Parks and Rec?" CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
West Center Street bridge replacement plan approved by
SOUTHINGTON — The Town Council approved a resolution this week to replace the West Center Street Extension bridge and an application for a grant to transform a retired Calendar House bus into an emergency response vehicle.
Both items passed unanimously Monday night. Built in 1961, the 55-foot bridge is in a high-traffic residential area and has deteriorated over time, said Town Manager Garry Brumback. It could cost more than $2 million to replace.
The town hopes to begin work in March and complete construction by November.
The council vote was necessary because the state Department of Transportation modified project requirements, Brumback said, including how many municipal utilities must be relocated as part of the bridge replacement.
Bridges are rated by the state on a scale of zero to nine. The highest rating indicates a brand new bridge and a zero is a closed bridge. Ratings of four or less are considered structurally deficient, but not necessarily unsafe. The West Center Street bridge’s deck condition is rated at three by the state. Other portions of the bridge, including the superstructure and substructure, were rated at six or seven. The council also approved a resolution Monday to apply for a grant to transform a retired Calendar House transportation bus into a Community Emergency Response Team vehicle. The bus will be used for emergency situations and will also assist in traffic control, said Deputy Town Manager Mark Sciota.
With the grant, the bus will be equipped with sirens and radios, Sciota said. The exterior will also be painted.
The grant application is due in January. If approved, the town will receive funding in the spring. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
WALLINGFORD — A project to build a new solar energy generation facility atop a landfill in town has received initial approval from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
Lend Lease, an Australia-based international development company, plans to install solar panels on top of the town’s 50-acre landfill directly behind Wallingford Animal Shelter at 23 Pent Road.
The solar facility will produce 19.99 megawatts of energy, which will go to a regional electrical grid.
On Monday, officials announced the selection of 25 small-scale clean energy projects in the region, 11 in Connecticut.
DEEP solicited proposals for the projects as part of a program promoting clean energy in the regional power grid. The department considered over 100 projects, each between 2 and 20 megawatts in size. The 25 selected projects will combine to generate 402 megawatts.
In April, Kris Pitney, Lend Lease Development Manager told the Record-Journal that the facility will include 20,000 solar panels and a large-scale battery system to store the energy over portions of the 50 acre site.
On Tuesday, spokesman John DeLibero said he could not comment on the facility’s size and components until all negotiations are finalized.
Mayor William W. Dickinson Jr. said the town could benefit financially from the new facility.
The town would receive property taxes and lease payments from Lend Lease. The facility’s equipment may also be subject to tax, assessor Shelby Jackson said.
The town will also indirectly benefit from the creation of 100 to 200 jobs while the project is being constructed, Project Development Director John Wieland said.
“Our goal is to utilize as much local labor as we can,” Wieland said.
The project is scheduled to begin construction in January 2018 and finish in December 2018, according to a proposal submitted by Lend Lease to DEEP.
The project is not expected to have any “substantial negative environmental impacts.”
Pitney said the landfill location in Wallingford is favorable for several reasons.
“It’s an industrial zoned area, it’s not right next to a residential area where people might object to some electrical infrastructure being built,” Pitney said.
Landfills “can be ideal for solar,” DEEP spokesman Dennis Schain said in April.
“It’s a great site. It’s land that is open with room for solar panels and it’s land where there’s limited uses because there had been a landfill there,” Schain said. “You can put solar on a landfill in a way that does not disturb the closure of the site.” CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Residents of four of the independent-living units moved in through the morning and early afternoon on Tuesday, according to Margaret Steeves, Masonicare’s vice president of marketing and communications.
“Everyone here is very excited that we are open,” she said. “The town has been great, the nature center next door has been great.”
The project, which is the largest to be completed in Stonington in recent years, was supported by the town, which waived its $136,000 building permit fee. Masonicare of Mystic, which owns and operates the facility under the umbrella of the nonprofit Masonicare organization, will pay the town $140,000 a year in lieu of taxes.
Former First Selectman Ed Haberek negotiated the deal with Masonicare to lure the project and its 125 jobs to town.
The Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, meanwhile, has offered free one-year memberships to Masonicare residents; its Coogan Farm Nature & Heritage Center borders the 18-acre Masonicare property.
Masonicare took over development of the site in 2014 after a previous developer, Morningside Management of Virginia, had trouble financing its plans for a 245-unit project.
Work on the Masonicare project began in May of 2014 but ceased in March of 2015 when the original contractor, Klewin Construction of Mystic, walked off the site saying it was owed an estimated $1.9 million. Work restarted with a new contractor in July of 2015, at which time Masonicare said the project would be completed in late 2016. Klewin sued Masonicare and several other entities involved in the work but the suit was withdrawn earlier this month. Court documents indicate Masonicare agreed to settle the claim for $3 million. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
XL Center Renovations Draw Support, But Money For Work Still A Question
Supporters of transforming downtown's aging XL Center arena lined up at a hearing Tuesday to back the $250 million project, but the uncertainty of whether the money will be there to pay for it hung over the meeting."We need places for people to come together," said Micah Kerr, a Hartford landlord. "We are starting to build places for people to live, and I think it's important to bring people from outside the city into the city and not leave as quickly as they can. This will go a long way in doing so." Two dozen people turned out for the Capital Region Development Authority's hearing on plans to dramatically update and enlarge the 41-year-old arena. The authority, which oversees the XL Center and any renovations, backed the $250 million plan last year. The hearing was needed to formally adopt the plan to move forward.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has said he supports renovations but he has not indicated whether he will bring the project to the legislature in the coming session for funding. The state would pay for almost all of the bill, which, if approved, would be spread out over several years. CRDA's vision drew support Tuesday from downtown businesses, which consider events at the XL Center arena crucial to their survival.
"This could be a make or break deal for the downtown community," said Gerry Grate, owner of The Tobacco Shop on Pratt Street and past president of Business for Downtown Hartford. "The downtown coummunity needs the XL Center to be maintained to continue on."
The plans pursued by the authority envision a dramatic change that would essentially create a new arena: a second concourse to relieve congestion and irritating waits at concessions; more premium seating lower in the arena bowl; and more restaurants, amenities and restrooms.
The push to make the arena more attractive and competitive with newer sports and entertainment complexes comes as competitive pressure from the state's casinos builds and a new gambling and entertainment complex is being built in nearby Springfield.
Whether to pursue the XL Center arena renovation comes as the city is experiencing newfound development momentum, including apartment conversions, Front Street and the University of Connecticut downtown campus. A renovated arena also would sit just a couple of blocks away from the city's minor league stadium, expected to open in the spring CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Ansonia to receive $900,000 grant to extend Riverwalk into the heart of downtown
ANSONIA >> Mayor David Cassetti announced Tuesday that Ansonia will receive more than $900,000 to extend the Ansonia Riverwalk into the heart of the downtown area. “The goal is to bring downtown Ansonia back to life,” said Cassetti. “This project provides residents of Ansonia, Derby and even Shelton with easy access to our Main Street retail district via the Riverwalk.”
Cassetti said the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments has secured $905,870 in state and federal grant funding through the FAST Act Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program. The money will expand the Ansonia leg of the overall Naugatuck Valley Greenway connecting Ansonia, Derby and Shelton. “I would like to thank Rick Dunne, executive director of the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments, for his work on helping us obtain these funds,” Cassetti added. “Mr. Dunne and his organization are a driving force behind so much of the revitalization occurring in the Valley area.” The money will enable Ansonia to extend the popular Riverwalk, with its entrance located on Division Street, into downtown with accompanying sidewalk improvements, decorative lighting and streetscape amenities, according to Cassetti. In addition, the funding will enable enhancements to a small park at the Riverwalk’s entrance, creating a pathway on the dike that will provide an area for passive recreation. “The improvements will make downtown Ansonia friendlier to families and those looking to enjoy time outdoors,” Cassetti said. “This project will continue the transformation of our downtown into one of the most exciting areas in the Valley.”
The Riverwalk, which is officially dubbed Ansonia Riveralk Park, opened in 2012. It features 3,000 feet of paved trail with brick pavers, a pavilion and landscaping along the Naugatuck River. It is located across the entrance from neighboring Derby’s Greenway. Economic Development Director Sheila O’Malley was grateful to NVCOG for securing the funding for Ansonia.“I have to thank the NVCOG and Rick Dunne!” said O’Malley. “This segment of the Riverwalk will be very instrumental in cultivating continued interest in our downtown. Mayor Cassetti considers the development of the downtown to be a priority and this grant will help generate interest, draw increased foot traffic and helping to enhance our opportunities for development activities.” CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Line Remains on Schedule to Launch in 2018
“The TCM is the main component of a moving assembly line designed to install rails and ties in one efficient operation,” said assistant CTDOT rail administrator John Bernick. “Prior to start of the operation, train cars carrying fifty, 1,600-foot long rails were off-loaded and laid end-to-end on either side of the rail bed. Fifteen tie cars, each carrying 176 concrete railroad ties weighing over 800 pounds each, are towed behind the TCM.
“A mobile gantry runs back and forth along the tie cars picking up ties in bundles of eight and feeding them into the TCM via a conveyor system. While pulled along the rail bed by a bulldozer, the TCM uniformly lays the ties onto the ballast at predetermined spacing and simultaneously threads the rails onto the ties. A clipping machine attaches the rail clips to hold the completed track assembly together. The machine can assemble up to 1,000 ft. (304.8 m) of track per hour in ideal conditions, at roughly one mile of track per day.”
Prior to the use of the TCM, it would have taken months to complete the work, using either track panels, which require offsite assembly and transportation to the site, or manual installation through the use of other, more traditional track construction equipment. Amtrak contracted with Harsco Corporation to secure the equipment and staff to perform this operation. The massive TCM was moved from its previous job on the Hudson Line in New York via freight service to the job site in Connecticut.
“Considering this is the first time this operation has been conducted in Connecticut, it's very exciting,” said Bernick.
Because the TCM can lay track without disrupting train operations on adjacent tracks, Bernick called it a win for everyone. There was some initial apprehension, recognizing this is the first time a TCM has been used to lay such a significant length of track in Connecticut.
“Anytime you try something new, there are always risks that threaten success,” said Bernick. “The key to mitigating these risks is proper planning. Planning for this activity started [more than] three years ago while we were designing the project.” CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
New England State Reflects on Its 60-Year-Old Interstate System
In 1956, a 61-year-old Swedish-born businessman, Joseph Johnson, was re-elected to a second term as governor of the state of Vermont. At the time of his re-election the cost of a new car in Vermont was $2,050 and gasoline was 22 cents per gallon. The New York Giants were about to report to preseason practice at Colchester's St. Michael's College under Offensive Coordinator Vince Lombardi and Defensive Coordinator Tom Landry.
There were thousands of small family farms dotting the Vermont countryside symbolized by a farmhouse and barn with cows grazing in green pastures. This was the Vermont brand. But the facts surrounding this bucolic setting were a stark contrast to those happy images. In fact, the growing season was short, the winters harsh and impassable and, with creameries scattered around the state, farmers had to travel long distances to deliver their products to market.
Farming was hard work that barely earned enough money to sustain a family and the state was losing almost 800 farms a year. Not just the hill farms were struggling. Even in Chittenden County, things were bleak. The woolen mills had closed in Winooski, the Ethan Allen Air Force Base was facing closure.
Hundreds of Vermonters couldn't sell their homes and had to travel to southern New England to find work, commuting back to Vermont each week on narrow, two-lane roads to see their families. But change was coming to the Green Mountains in the form of tourists seeking the calming, perfect country setting and snowcapped mountains for skiing. The “car culture” was about to invade Vermont.
Nationally, Dwight D. Eisenhower had been re-elected for another term as president. Eisenhower shared a common vision with Vermont's Gov. Johnson regarding transportation and infrastructure construction as a means of development. Eisenhower had been in Vermont trout fishing in 1955. It is a safe bet that transportation was a topic of conversation during that trip.
On June 29, 1956, President Eisenhower signed into law perhaps one of the greatest public works projects in history, the Federal Highway Act of 1956. The bill created the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways. The New York Times called it a “Road Bill.” It was, in fact, a program that would construct 41,000 miles of limited-access roads linking cities and states across the country. Eisenhower's dream of “speedy, safe transcontinental travel” would replace the current unsafe and inefficient routes and provide a means for quick evacuation of areas in case of an attack. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE