Newtown Receives $200,000

For Hazmat Cleanup At FFH

By John Voket

 Newtown will be receiving $200,000 to mitigate hazardous waste at Fairfield Hills.

Senator Richard Blumenthal and Congressman Chris Murphy issued an advance on the grant May 24 and held an official announcement ceremony May 30 in Waterbury, one of the other three Connecticut communities that are beneficiaries in the latest round of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) brownfields mitigation initiatives.

According to the EPA, the hazardous substances grant funds will be used to clean up the Fairfield Hills Campus at 3 Primrose Street. Soils at the site are contaminated with metals and pesticides co-mingled with petroleum, and buildings are contaminated with inorganic materials.

Grant funds also will be used to support community involvement activities.

First Selectman Pat Llodra told The Bee that she was thrilled the town was chosen as only one of seven Connecticut communities to receive grants so far in 2012.

“I understand that there is only $70 million available in this fund, and competition for any amount from that pool of money is pretty intense,” she said.

Newtown and Meriden will each receive $200,000. The Waterbury Development Corporation will receive $200,000 for hazardous substance clean up and an additional $200,000 for site assessments.

“This is terrific news for Newtown, Waterbury, and Meriden,” said Rep Murphy. “In a state with so many old factories like Connecticut, we have a huge opportunity to turn these old buildings into new jobs now by cleaning them up and redeveloping the sites. I’ve constantly sought to push for grants as a way to make our communities safer and healthier, while boosting local economies and create jobs. I’m thrilled to see these grants come through and move forward.”

“This funding is a major step toward cleanup and gainful use of land that otherwise will continue to be an eyesore and a danger to public health,” Sen Blumenthal said. “This commitment to funding should be matched by the resolve and resources of state and local governments to form a powerful alliance that ultimately should create jobs and economic growth.”   

“Restored brownfield properties can serve as cornerstones for rebuilding struggling communities. These grants will be the first step in getting pollution out and putting jobs back into neighborhoods across the country,” said EPA administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “Clean, healthy communities are places where people want to live, work, and start businesses. We’re providing targeted resources to help local partners transform blighted, contaminated areas into centers of economic growth.”

Mrs Llodra said that among the possible projects under consideration for the funds is the abatement of asbestos and any other hazardous substances within a strip of retired single-family homes on the campus which will soon be slated for demolition.

“We’ve thought about taking down those houses, but the funds could be used for abatement of any building on the campus slated for demolition,” the first selectman said.