Date: Fri 27-Sep-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

Gov-Rowland-sewer-FHH

Full Text:

with cut: Governor Tours Sewer Treatment Plant Site

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

Governor John G. Rowland toured the municipal sewage treatment plant now under

construction and the Fairfield Hills campus Wednesday, getting updates from

local officials on the sewer construction project and possible future uses for

the state's sprawling campus.

The governor spoke next to towering mounds of soil, which have excavated at

the site where the massive concrete sewerworks are being built. Joining him

were local and state officials.

On Friday, Gov Rowland plans to sign a $1.5-million state bonding

authorization which will be used toward the overall $34.3-million sewer

project.

The sewage plant will serve the town and the Fairfield Hills grounds. An

existing sewage plant at Fairfield Hills will be disconnected.

The governor described the bonding authorization as "your tax dollars hard at

work" on needed municipal improvements.

Gov Rowland said he visits public works project around the state to inform the

public about the work of the State Bond Commission. The governor heads the

bond commission and sets its agenda.

The town is under a state order to rectify groundwater pollution problems

created by failing septic systems in the Borough, Taunton Pond North and Sandy

Hook Center.

On the future of the Fairfield Hills campus, Gov Rowland said "We (state) are

not going to unilaterally (decide) what Fairfield Hills will be in the

future."

The state will work with the town in planning the campus's future, he said.

The governor noted that Fairfield Hills is one of the nicest properties owned

by the state.

The state wants to do something with Fairfield Hills that a majority of

Newtowners find agreeable, he said.

Gov Rowland said he would like to see the property used for economic

development and for municipal uses.

The governor quipped he has maps of Fairfield Hills strewn about his office.

Those maps were provided by State Rep Julia Wasserman, he said.

Mrs Wasserman headed the Fairfield Hills Task Force, an ad hoc group, which in

1994 presented a report to the state on possible future uses of the campus.

The task force recommended that much of the campus be retained as open space

land, economic development be encouraged, the town gain use of some of the

campus, an educational presence be fostered, that affordable housing and

housing for the elderly be encouraged, and that recreational uses be allowed,

among other recommendations.

Following his stop at the sewage treatment plant site, Gov Rowland briefly

toured the campus with local and state officials to discuss possible future

uses.