Water Line Project

Added to Capital Plan

By Steve Bigham

The Legislative Council Wednesday voted to add a proposed project to bring public water lines into Sandy Hook to its Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

Being on the CIP does not guarantee the project will be done, but it does make it eligible for state and federal funding.

The total project cost is $420,000, of which $250,000 may be paid for through a federal grant. The remaining $170,000 would be the local share, which could be paid for through state Local Capital Improvement (LOCIP) funding and/or Sandy Hook business contributions. Local developer Michael Burton has already agreed to put up $25,000 to extend the water line down Washington Avenue and under the Pootatuck River to Crestwood Drive. The line would then run to Sandy Hook School, the firehouse and the senior center, all located along Riverside Road. He stands to gain from the 1,800-foot water line extension since it would serve a laundromat he plans to open in Sandy Hook by April. Mr Burton agreed this week to write a note to the town reassuring his commitment to the project.

Council members voted in favor of the plan, saying it would have a positive impact on the economic development of the Sandy Hook center.

As has been discussed at several meetings, the United Water Company is not paying for any of this project. Water companies are the only utility companies not responsible for constructing their own infrastructure. They will reimburse the town some money later, through user fees.

Council member Melissa Pilchard reminded the full council Wednesday night that, since the plan is now on the CIP, the Board of Selectmen could now use LOCIP money to fund the project at any time –without notifying the council. Legally, it can be done, but First Selectman Herb Rosenthal assured council members that he would return before any further decisions were made.