Town Completes Testing At Fairfield Hills 

By Jan Howard

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal has not heard anything official from the state, but he assumes that it has accepted his request earlier this month for a 60-day extension regarding a closing date for the sale of the Fairfield Hills campus to the town.

Mr Rosenthal said this week that the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is currently reviewing the town’s remedial action plan for environmental issues at the site.

At the close of the review, Mr Rosenthal said, “The DEP will meet with us as to whether our remedial plan meets with their specifications or if we need to modify it.”

All testing by the town has been completed, he said.

Meanwhile, the state is working on correcting electrical work at the pump house on Wasserman Way that supplies water to the campus, Reed Intermediate School, Garner, and the horse guard.

It was originally thought that the closing would take place at the end of February, following a 60-day extension from December 31.

Mr Rosenthal said early this month that the work at the pump house must be completed before the closing as part of the state’s agreement with the town.

The state is also responsible for ongoing monitoring at Canaan House on the Fairfield Hills campus for a fuel oil spill that has cost the state more than $1 million to date, Mr Rosenthal said. This will remain the state’s responsibility after the property is transferred to the town, he noted.

The sale of the property is contingent upon the approval of the remedial action plan and receipt of a covenant not to sue from the state. All documents are subject to review by the town’s environmental lawyers and consultant.

Mr Rosenthal signed the contract for the purchase of the 189-acre campus on October 20.