PRESS RELEASE: Biden-Harris Administration Announces $8.8M for Cleanup and Assessment at Polluted Brownfields Sites in Connecticut

Left to right: David Cash, Jahana Hayes, Richard Blumenthal, Ricardo Rodriguez, Steven Perry, and Aaron Budris proudly holding a check for $3 million made out to NVCOG.
Originally posted on June 5th, 2023, reshared on June 6th, 2023 to NVCOGCT.GOV

Click here to access the press release from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s website.

EPA announces the largest investment ever in brownfields communities made by President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda

Contact Information

Jo Anne Kittrell (kittrell.joanne@epa.gov)

(617) 918-1822
 

BOSTON (June 5, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $8,800,000 from President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda to expedite the assessment and cleanup of brownfields sites in Connecticut while advancing environmental justice.

EPA selected six communities in Connecticut to receive six grants totaling $5,800,000in competitive EPA Brownfields funding through the Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (MARC) Grant programs. Thanks to the historic boost from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this is the largest ever funding awarded in the history of the EPA’s Brownfields MARC Grant programs. In addition, the agency is announcing $3,000,000 in non-competitive supplemental funding to one successful existing Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grant program to help expedite its continued work at sites in its area by extending the capacity of the programs to provide more funding for additional cleanups.

These investments are part of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda to grow the American economy from the bottom up and middle-out – from rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure, to driving over $470 billion in private sector manufacturing and clean energy investments in the United States, to creating a manufacturing and innovation boom powered by good paying jobs that don’t require a four-year degree, to building a clean-energy economy that will combat climate change and make our communities more resilient.

“We’re working across the country to revitalize what were once dangerous and polluted sites in overburdened communities into more sustainable and environmentally just places that serve as community assets. Thanks to President Biden’s historic investments in America, we’re moving further and faster than ever before to clean up contaminated sites, spur economic redevelopment, and deliver relief that so many communities have been waiting for,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “This critical wave of investments is the largest in Brownfields history and will accelerate our work to protect the people and the planet by transforming what was once blight into might.”

Left to right: David Cash, Jahana Hayes, Richard Blumenthal, Ricardo Rodriguez, Steven Perry, and Aaron Budris proudly holding a check for $3 million made out to NVCOG.
Left to right: EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash, U.S. Representative Jahana Hayes, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, NVCOG Brownfields Manager Ricardo Rodriguez, Environmental Planner Steven Perry, and Senior Regional Planner Aaron Budris proudly displaying a check for $3 million made out to NVCOG.

“Congratulations to the seven Connecticut organizations who will receive these new Brownfields grants this year,” said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. “Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration, EPA will be making the single largest investment in Brownfields in history. This funding will revitalize communities across New England, and jump start economic redevelopment and job creation in many of New England’s hardest hit and underserved communities.”

“This historic, desperately needed investment will revitalize and renew pollution threatened communities and boost local economies. Brownfields threaten our environment and hamper local economic development efforts, but these substantial investments for towns across Connecticut will make an invaluable impact in cleaning up the mistakes of the past while building a more sustainable future,” said U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal. “I am thrilled the EPA is awarding this funding to Connecticut and will keep fighting for more federal dollars to invest in cleaning up our communities.”

“By cleaning up brownfield sites, we can turn blighted and historically underfunded areas into hubs for economic development and job creation,” said U.S. Senator Chris Murphy. “I’m proud that funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is supporting projects that are good for the environment and will revitalize communities throughout Connecticut that have been stunted by these contaminants.”

“When we passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, we delivered the single largest investment to rehabilitate brownfields,” said U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro. “With the funding allocated from the EPA Cleanup Grant for Waterbury and the EPA RLF Grant for the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments, our community has been presented an opportunity to address health and environmental concerns and remove barriers to this region’s economic revitalization.”

“For many communities in eastern Connecticut, economic growth is stymied by abandoned properties contaminated from prior use. These new grants will provide New London, East Hampton, and Killingly a fighting chance to revive abandoned property and promote economic growth. This is an excellent example of the federal infrastructure law once again creating new opportunities in our communities,” said U.S. Representative Joe Courtney.

“When we talk about creating an environment where businesses and families can thrive, it begins with cleaning up polluted areas in our communities and creating healthy, livable spaces that spur redevelopment,” said U.S. Representative Jim Himes. “Thanks in part to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency and MetroCOG are receiving the funding they need to assess and clean up brownfield sites within the Fourth District. This investment will be critical in propelling the housing developments planned for Norwalk’s Webster Lot and ensuring the safety and economic success of our towns and cities.”

“Every community deserves to be clean, safe, and vibrant. When industrial sites fall into disrepair, and properties become distressed, the children and families around them suffer the most,” said US. Representative Jahana Hayes. “These communities are blocked from economic progress and at greater risk for long-term health issues. We passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to give places like Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley Region the support needed to jumpstart remediation and transform into hubs of opportunity.”

Many communities that are under economic stress, particularly those located in areas that have experienced long periods of disinvestment, lack the resources needed to initiate brownfields cleanup and redevelopment projects. As brownfields sites are transformed into community assets, they attract jobs, promote economic revitalization, and transform communities into sustainable and environmentally just places.

Thanks to the historic $1.5 billion boost from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA’s Brownfields Program is helping more communities than ever before begin to address the economic, social, and environmental challenges caused by brownfields and stimulate economic opportunity, and environmental revitalization in historically overburdened communities. 

EPA’s Brownfields Program also advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative to direct 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments to disadvantaged communities. The Brownfields Program strives to meet this commitment and advance environmental justice and equity considerations into all aspects of its work. Approximately 84 percent of the MARC program applications selected to receive funding proposed to work in areas that include historically underserved communities.

State Funding Breakdown:

Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (MARC) Grant Program Selection

The following organizations in Connecticut have been selected to receive EPA Brownfields funding through the Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (MARC) Grant Programs.  

  • Connecticut Metropolitan Council of Governments, of Bridgeport, Conn., has been selected to receive a $500,000 Brownfields Assessment Grant. Community-wide grant funds will be used to conduct environmental site assessments, prepare reuse strategies and to conduct community engagement activities including Brownfield Working Group meetings. The target area for this grant is the City of Bridgeport and the Towns of Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford, and Trumbull. Priority sites include vacant lots, a former theater, former commercial and industrial storage facilities, a former metal plating and trucking facility, and an illegal landfill.

  • The Town of East Hampton has been selected to receive a $500,000 Brownfields Assessment Grant. Community-wide grant funds will be used to conduct environmental site assessments, prepare cleanup plans, and conduct community engagement activities. The focus of this grant is East Hampton’s Village Center section of the Lake Pocotopaug Redevelopment Zone. Priority sites include the Summit Thread North mill site, the Summit Thread South site, and the former East Hampton Bell Company site.

  • The Town of Killingly has been selected to receive $800,000 for a Brownfields Multipurpose Grant. Grant funds will be used to conduct environmental site assessments and cleanup activities at three properties. All three of these properties are located within the City of Killingly’s Enterprise Corridor Zone. Grant funds also will be used to prepare a Community Engagement Plan, conduct quarterly meetings with neighborhood groups, and to conduct other community engagement activities.

The City of New London has been selected to receive a $1,000,000 Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grant that will be funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The grant will be used to capitalize a revolving loan fund from which the City of New London will provide five loans and up to 12 subgrants to support cleanup activities. Grant funds also will be used to support community engagement and outreach activities. RLF activities will focus on the City of New London’s downtown area, which is now blighted and lacking affordable housing and retail options. Six priority sites have been identified, with four ranked as a high priority since they are all contiguous, vacant, and underutilized prime real estate adjacent to Parade Plaza, Union Station, and the New London Waterfront Park. These include the 10,704-square-foot historic former Capitol Theater and the nationally acclaimed Garde Arts Center.

  • Norwalk Redevelopment Agency, of Norwalk, Conn., has been selected to receive a $2,000,000 Brownfields Cleanup Grant. Grant funds will be used to clean up the Webster Street Lot located at 55 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, currently contaminated with metals, petroleum, and volatile organic compounds. Grant funds also will be used to support community outreach activities.

  • The City of Waterbury has been selected to receive a $1,000,000 Brownfields Cleanup Grant. Grant funds will be used to clean up the Brass City Food Hub site at 777 South Main Street, currently contaminated with a variety of substances including petroleum, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, inorganic contaminants, and heavy metals.

You can read more about this year’s MARC selectees.

Non-competitive Supplemental Funding Through the Existing Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grant Program

The Agency is announcing $3,000,000 in non-competitive supplemental funding to one successful existing Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grant program that has already achieved success in its work to clean up and redevelop brownfields sites. RLF Grants provide funding for recipients to offer loans and subgrants to carry out cleanup activities at brownfields sites. The funding announced today will help communities continue to address the economic, social, and environmental challenges caused by brownfields sites. The following Connecticutorganization has been selected to receive non-competitive supplemental funding for its existing RLF program.

  • Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments ($3,000,000) In addition to the  $11,099,850 in EPA funds already awarded, the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) has been selected to receive an additional $3,000,000 through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) because it has a high-performing RLF program with significantly depleted funds. The RLF program has successfully made loans or subgrants leading to 22 cleanup projects that are either completed or in progress. Potential projects highlighted for use of the BIL funding include 526 North Main Street in Waterbury and two Uni-Royal parcels in Naugatuck. The BIL funding will extend the capacity of the program to provide funding for more cleanups in the most underserved areas in the Naugatuck Valley Region.

Read more about this year’s RLF recipients.

Brownfields Technical Assistance Provider for New England

EPA is also announcing funding selection for two Brownfields technical assistance opportunities. The Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) selectees provide specialized technical knowledge, research, and training to help stakeholders understand brownfields-related subject matter, and guide them through the brownfields assessment, clean-up, and revitalization process. This assistance is a key part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to advance economic opportunities and address environmental justice issues in underserved communities. This technical assistance is available to all stakeholders and comes at no cost to communities. The two funding opportunities announced today include the following:

  1. EPA selected the University of Connecticut (UConn) to receive $5,000,000 to provide training and technical assistance to communities across the state under the Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) Communities Program. This funding comes entirely from the historic $1.5 billion investment from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Read more about this year’s TAB selectees.

  2. EPA is also expanding the scope of its technical assistance offerings under the Brownfields and Land Revitalization Program to include three new subject-specific grants totaling $2 million in three areas, including providing technical assistance to nonprofits seeking to reuse brownfields; provide research, outreach, and guidance on minimizing displacement resulting from brownfields redevelopment; and providing outreach and guidance on land banking tactics for brownfields revitalization. Read more on the Brownfields Technical Assistance and Research cooperative agreement recipients. 

More information about Brownfields Technical Assistance and Research.

Additional Background:

EPA has selected these organizations to receive funding to address and support the reuse of brownfields sites. EPA anticipates making all the awards announced today once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied.

EPA’s Brownfields Program began in 1995 and has provided nearly $2.37 billion in Brownfields Grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. EPA’s investments in addressing brownfields sites have leveraged more than $36 billion in cleanup and redevelopment. Over the years, the relatively small investment of federal funding has leveraged, from both public and private sources, nearly 260,000 jobs. Communities that previously received Brownfields Grants used these resources to fund assessments and cleanups of brownfields, and successfully leverage an average of 10.6 jobs per $100,000 of EPA Brownfields Grant funds spent and $19.78 for every dollar.

The next National Brownfields Training Conference will be held on August 8-11, 2023, in Detroit, Michigan. Offered every two years, this conference is the largest gathering of stakeholders focused on cleaning up and reusing former commercial and industrial properties. EPA co-sponsors this event with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).  

PRESS RELEASE: The City of Bristol Receives a Connecticut Recreational Trails Program Grant

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: (Bristol CT) May 19, 2023

THE CITY OF BRISTOL RECEIVES A CONNECTICUT RECREATIONAL TRAILS PROGRAM GRANT TO
FUND PLANNING AND DESIGN OF AN ACCESSIBLE STRUCTURED TRAIL FOR ALL BRISTOL RESIDENTS


BRISTOL, CT – The City of Bristol is one of 28 municipalities in Connecticut to be awarded a
Connecticut Recreational Trails Program grant in the amount of $320,000. The funding will be used
for the planning and design of a recreational bike/pedestrian trail to provide a safe continuous
connection between Rockwell Park/Muzzy Field to the West End neighborhood to Downtown. The
proposed trail will traverse the West End neighborhood to public transit lines through the downtown
area improving equitable access to outdoor recreation for all Bristol residents. Eventually, it is hoped
that this accessible structured trail will eventually connect to the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail.


In order to create a public involvement process that was collaborative, accessible, and inclusive, the
City of Bristol partnered with the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG) to engage the
public in a study to gather information about how best to accommodate all users. NVCOG conducted
interviews with stakeholders, created an online survey to gather public feedback, developed
an interactive map, conducted public information meetings, held a walk audit in the area where the
trail will be located, and provided frequent updates to the Bristol community to help guide the
planning process. This study aims to build off the recently completed Route 229 Corridor Study which
recommends adding a shared-use side path between Interstate 84 in the south to Route 6 in the
North. These two routes combined will provide a north-south and east-west connection through
Bristol, ensuring a safe and accessible corridor for non-motorized users to travel.


“This grant will allow the City to design a recreational bike/pedestrian trail that will create new
opportunities to connect the West End neighborhood with downtown, thus providing all Bristol
residents with a safe way to access public transportation and amenities in the downtown area,”
stated Mayor Jeffrey Caggiano. “Additional funding will be sought in the future to make the
connection from Route 229 to a meeting point with the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail in Plainville.

See press release via Bristol All Heart

PRESS RELEASE: Governor Lamont Announces $9 Million in State Grants To Plan, Build, Expand, and Improve 50 Recreational Trails Across Connecticut

Seal for the Office of the Connecticut Governor

Click here to access the press release from the office of Governor Ned Lamont

05/15/2023

Governor Lamont Announces $9 Million in State Grants To Plan, Build, Expand, and Improve 50 Recreational Trails Across Connecticut

Grants Awarded Through DEEP’s Connecticut Recreational Trails Program

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes today announced that approximately $9 million in state grants are being released through the Connecticut Recreational Trails Program to plan, build, expand, and improve a total of 50 multi-use trails across Connecticut.

The program is administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). Funding for this grant round was allocated by the State Bond Commission in July 2022. Governor Lamont serves as chairman of the commission.

“I am thrilled to announce funding for these 50 projects, which will improve and expand recreational trail opportunities around Connecticut,” Governor Lamont said. “The incredible response to this grant round shows the high demand for outdoor recreation in our state. Our residents and visitors continue to explore state parks, forests, and municipal open spaces and land trust preserves at record levels.”

DEEP has seen demand for outdoor recreation increase dramatically since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. Annual visits to locations in the Connecticut State Parks and Forests system reached an estimated 17 million in 2022 – a 75% increase from pre-pandemic visitation levels of between 9 and 10 million in 2019. Additionally, the economic value of hiking, climbing, and tent camping increased by 50% from 2019 to 2021. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the value of outdoor recreation in 2021 contributed nearly $4 billion to the state and supported more than 40,000 jobs.

“These projects are timely and will improve our state’s connectivity and accessibility to open space, which benefits our residents and visitors physically and mentally, enhances our state’s outdoor economy, and makes our state such an attractive place to live,” Commissioner Dykes said. “Investing in projects that support sustainable commuting opportunities, that reduce pollution from transportation, and provide safe, enjoyable alternatives to car travel are the type of projects we’d love to see in more communities across the state. My thanks to Governor Lamont and the State Bond Commission for supporting these important investments in our state-wide trail systems.”

A total of 28 of the awarded projects are within or serve Connecticut’s distressed municipalities and environmental justice communities, improving equitable access to outdoor recreation. Many of the awarded projects are bicycle paths that can support both commuting and recreation, including Naugatuck Greenway Projects in Naugatuck, Ansonia, Thomaston, Waterbury, and the Greenwich-Stamford multi-use path, among others. The grant money can be allocated for a wide variety of purposes, including planning, design, land acquisition, construction, construction administration, and publications for bikeways, walkways, and greenways, as well as for equipment and trail amenities, such as parking lots, toilet buildings, signs, and benches.

The Connecticut Greenways Council assisted DEEP with the competitive grant selection process. Funding for program administration of 5%, pursuant to state statutes, is also included in the grants. DEEP anticipates most of the awarded projects being completed by 2026.

The following is a list of projects receiving grants under this round:

Connecticut Recreational Trails Program
May 2023 Grant Round
ApplicantProject TitleProject TypeGrant Funding
Borough of NaugatuckNaugatuck River Greenway Trail – Phase IIPlanning/Design$352,800
Branford Land TrustBranford Land Trust Handicap Accessible Braille and Sensory TrailPlanning/Design$15,000
City of BristolBristol Recreational Trails Grant PlanningPlanning/Design$320,000
City of HartfordKeney Park Trail ConnectivityPlanning/Design, Outreach, Education$186,320
City of MeridenBrookside Park to Giuffrida Park Multi-Use TrailPlanning/Design$179,000
City of SheltonShelton Housatonic RiverwalkPlanning/Design$113,000
City of TorringtonRed Mountain Trail Design and Construction – Torrington, CTPlanning/Design, Construction, Amenities$396,100
City of WaterburyWaterbury Naugatuck River Greenway Trail Mad River Spur DesignPlanning/Design, Outreach$390,000
City of West HavenHubbard Park Interpretive TrailPlanning/Design, Construction$26,196
City of West HavenPlainfield Community Trailway ProjectPlanning/Design, Construction$32,020
Connecticut Forest and Park AssociationCT Forest and Park Association Public Engagement and StewardshipPlanning/Design, Construction, Maintenance, Education, Equipment, Outreach$445,412
Connecticut Resource Conservation and Development12 Town Airline State Park Trail Regional Association Formation & MarketingPlanning/Design, Amenities, Publications, Outreach$75,000
Friends of the Litchfield Community Greenways, Inc.Litchfield Greenway – Phase 4 – Bantam ConnectionPlanning/Design, Construction, Amenities$241,125
Goodwin UniversityGoodwin University Trails Expansion – Phase VIPlanning/Design Construction, Maintenance$123,204
Hop River Trail Alliance (Town of Coventry Fiduciary)Hop River State Park Trail Signage and WayfindingAmenities, Publications, Outreach$44,793
Newtown Bridle Lands Association Inc.Improving Multi Use Access to Newtown TrailsPlanning/Design, Construction, Maintenance, Amenities$44,080
Parks & Point with DEEP Outreach & EducationWords from the Trails: Poetry and Nonfiction Inspired by Connecticut’s Recreational TrailsEducation, Publication$13,840
Riverfront Recapture, Inc.Hartford and East Hartford Riverwalk Trail Counting InitiativeEquipment, Amenities$66,800
Shoreline Greenway TrailShoreline Greenway Trail Extension in Hammonasset State ParkPlanning/Design$120,000
Town of AnsoniaNaugatuck River Greenway (Ansonia Riverwalk)Planning/Design$272,000
Town of CantonExtension of Farmington River Rail Trail, East, Additional Design FundsPlanning/Design$60,000
Town of East HaddamLower Connecticut River Valley Heritage Trail/ Bike Path – East HaddamPlanning/Design, Outreach$32,000
Town of East HamptonAir Line Trail Gap Phase 4Planning/Design, Construction$404,800
Town of Greenwich (Stamford as Partner)Greenwich-Stamford Multi-Use PathPlanning/Design$270,400
Town of ManchesterHop River Trail Extension to Cheney TrailConstruction$440,000
Town of New HartfordNew Hartford Multi-Use Trail Phase 1Planning/Design, Construction$616,000
Town of NewingtonNewington Greenway ExpansionPlanning/Design$75,000
Town of NewtownAl’s Trail Greenway Feasibility StudyPlanning/Design$80,000
Town of Norfolk – Rails to TrailsProposed North Brook Trail SectionPlanning/Design, Construction$399,725
Town of Old LymeMulti-purpose Trail and Bridge at Lieutenant RiverPlanning/Design$28,500
Town of OxfordRockhouse Adaptive Trail NetworkPlanning/Design, Construction, Equipment, Amenities$278,500
Town of PlainfieldKate Downing Rd Open SpacePlanning/Design$10,000
Town of PrestonPoquetonuck Cove and Village Heritage TrailPlanning/Design, Construction$59,400
Town of PutnamAir Line Trail Connection and Improvements ProjectPlanning/Design, Construction, Maintenance, Publications, Outreach$175,000
Town of ThomastonNaugatuck River GreenwayPlanning/Design$150,000
Town of ThompsonThompson, CT – STILL More Than Just a Train WreckConstruction, Amenities$457,500
Town of WatertownNaugatuck River Greenway – Frost Bridge Rd. to Branch Brook, WatertownPlanning/Design$299,935
Town of WethersfieldHeritage Way Trail Improvements at Cove ParkPlanning$95,000
Town of WiltonNorwalk River Valley Trail – WII Walk ExtensionConstruction$243,000
Town of WinchesterMad River Recreation Area Phase 1Construction$60,000
Town of WolcottScovill (Mill Pond Way) Trail ImprovementsPlanning/Design, Construction, Maintenance, Equipment, Amenities$72,000
Trust for Public LandMono Pond State Park Master PlanPlanning/Design$76,725
University of ConnecticutUConn Connecticut Trails ProgramEducation, Outreach$392,724
Wyndham Land TrustParking for Bull Hill PreservePlanning/Design, Construction, Outreach$24,000
Mooween State ParkMooween Trail Parking LotConstruction$120,000
Harkness Memorial State ParkHarkness Boardwalk RenovationConstruction$16,000
George Waldo State ParkImprove Access to Housatonic RiverConstruction$23,090
Bennett’s Pond State ParkGreen Trail RestorationMaintenance$34,125
Kettletown State ParkBoardwalk ReplacementConstruction$16,000
Statewide Trail SystemsStatewide Trail Maintenance & MaterialsMaintenance, Equipment$120,000
Twitter: @GovNedLamont
Facebook: Office of Governor Ned Lamont

PUBLIC NOTICE – Metropolitan Mobility Network Meeting May 3

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC) and the Metropolitan Area Planning (MAP) Forum announce the next meeting of the Metropolitan Mobility Network on Wednesday May 3, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.

The meeting will be available as a webinar using the following link:  https://meetny.webex.com/meetny/j.php?MTID=m713e40d9f1c8de97cf2114ca0c54ebdf .

In person attendance will be available at the NYMTC office, 25 Beaver Street, in lower Manhattan. Please RSVP by sending an email to NYMTC-Public-Info@dot.ny.gov. Note that in-person attendees will be required to go through security upon entering. Please allow ample time and bring a valid photo ID. 

Public Notice 

Public Notice – Public Information Metting Scheduled for the Cleanup of 0 Andrew Ave. In Naugatuck

The NVCOG is holding a public information meeting to present key updates on upcoming work and answer public inquiries regarding cleanup at 0 Andrew Ave, Naugatuck. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April; 27th, 2023 at 6:30 PM and will be held in the Hall of the Mayor and Burgesses in Naugatuck Town Hall, 229 Church Street, Naugatuck, CT 06770.

Remote participation is available at https://tinyurl.com/0AndrewAve

A copy of the Analysis of Brownfields Cleanup Alternatives and the Community Relations Plan for the site are available for public review at the NVCOG offices, 49 Leavenworth Street, Third Floor, Waterbury, CT 06702, and online at: https://nvcogct.gov/project/current-projects/brownfields/naugatuck-0-andrew-avenue/

For additional information, please contact Ricardo Rodriguez, Brownfields Manager at (203)- 982-0797 or RRodriguez@nvcogct.gov or visit https://nvcogct.gov/project/current-projects/brownfields/naugatuck-0-andrew-avenue/.

Written comments may be submitted through May 7th via email to Ricardo Rodriguez, or mailed to NVCOG offices, 49 Leavenworth Street, Third Floor, Waterbury, CT 06702.

For language assistance or other accommodations, contact NVCOG at least five business days prior to the meeting.

Click here to visit the project page. 

News Release: Community Walk Audit to Be Held for The Bristol Trail Study

PRESS RELEASE

Bristol, Conn. —The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG) will hold a community walk audit on Thursday, April 20 at 4:00 p.m. as a part of the Bristol Trail Study. The walk will begin at Brackett Park located at 120 School St. and will take residents between West St. and Main St.

The Trail Study, done in collaboration with the City of Bristol, involves looking at routing options to provide a safe, continuous connection between Rockwell Park in the west to Downtown, continuing east to Route 229. The walk audit will be held to assess and collect community feedback on a section of the proposed trail that has no evident alignment. The information gathered will be used to inform routing decisions.

A public meeting was held on Wednesday March 8 to gather feedback and answer questions from the public about the study and the proposed trail alignment under consideration. Residents can still provide feedback through a community survey developed by NVCOG and the City. To access the survey, type bit.ly/BristolTrailSurvey into the web browser on your computer or smartphone.

If you have any questions, please contact Elliot Wareham, Transportation Planner, at Ewareham@nvcogct.gov or 203-489-0514.

Contact: 

Desira Blanchard
Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments
203-489-0353
dblanchard@nvcogct.gov   

 

Household Hazardous Waste and Paint Collection Scheduled for Saturday, April 22 in Middlebury

Do you have paints, cleaners, and other chemicals you need to dispose of? Let the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG) help you dispose of these hazardous wastes. NVCOG and participating municipalities will sponsor a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and Paint Collection event on Saturday, April 22. The collection will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is open to residents of the following communities: Ansonia, Beacon Falls,Bethlehem, Derby, Middlebury, Naugatuck, Oxford, Prospect, Seymour, Southbury, Thomaston, Waterbury, Watertown, Wolcott and Woodbury. 

Staff unload hazardous waste items at the collection site in Prospect in September of 2022.

The event will be held at the Shepardson Community Center located at 1172 Whittemore Rd., Middlebury. There is no charge to residents. Proof of residency, such as a driver’s license, tax bill, or other identification, is required for entry. There is no need to line up before the 8 a.m. start time.

Household hazardous wastes are any wastes produced in the home that are poisonous, flammable, reactive, or corrosive. These wastes are harmful to human health and the environment if not disposed of properly. 

Examples of wastes that will be accepted include: oil- and latex-based paints and stains, thermometers and thermostats containing mercury, drain and oven cleaners, upholstery cleaners, wood cleaners, strippers and varnishes, pesticides, poisons, pool and photo chemicals, automotive cleaners and fluids, gasoline and motor oil, grease and rust solvents, aerosols, and metal polishes.

Items that will not be accepted include:  auto batteries, propane tanks over 1 lbs., compressed gas cylinders, asbestos, smoke detectors, explosives, radioactive or medical waste, grout, joint compound, lead paint chips, and empty containers of any kind. The contractor reserves the right to reject additional materials.

Up to 50 lbs. of residential waste will be accepted per vehicle. Residents should leave materials in the original container whenever possible. When arriving at the collection site, residents are asked to stay in their cars at all times. Trained waste handlers will remove materials from the cars.

Unacceptable materials will be returned or left in the vehicle, and if available, instructions on how to dispose of them will be provided. For further information, please contact hhw@nvcogct.gov or call (203) 757-0535.

Contact:

NVCOG
(203) 757-0535
https://nvcogct.gov/HHW

News Release: THE CITY OF BRISTOL TO RECEIVE $6.85M FOR ROUTE 72 CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

THE CITY OF BRISTOL TO RECEIVE $6.85M FOR ROUTE 72 CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

BRISTOL, CT – The City of Bristol has been approved to receive a Community Investment Fund 2030(CIF) grant from the State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development in the amount of $6,850,000 for the Route 72 Corridor Improvement Project. Today’s grant will fund one element of the City’s Route 72 Corridor Improvement Project, which focuses on pedestrian safety enhancements, traffic calming, and streetscape improvements on Riverside Avenue and Park Street.

“Bristol is very excited as this will allow us to build on the momentum of downtown development. The streetscape project represents a tremendous opportunity to transform an entire corridor. We are very thankful for the great support from the entire CIF Board and DECD, who clearly recognizes that Bristol can leverage this support to link the many projects that are currently underway,” stated Bristol Mayor Jeffrey Caggiano.

The Streetscape project will mirror elements already in place on North Main and Main Streets, and will include the installation of sidewalks, lighting, signage, trees, and curbing along the busy corridor. “This will be a significant improvement to an important gateway into Downtown,” said Dawn Leger,

City Grants Administrator. “With all the development in the center of Bristol, we also need to improve the roadways leading into Downtown so that surrounding areas can benefit from the economic and aesthetic changes taking place in the City.”

The Community Investment Fund was established by the State Legislature in 2021 to support economic development in distressed communities by providing grants for capital projects to municipalities and non-profit entities operating in those cities and towns. The proposals must advance the state’s Economic Action Plan by promoting jobs, fostering vibrant neighborhoods, and addressing climate resilience as well as the specific needs of underserved or marginalized groups. 

The City submitted an application for a multifaceted project that will incorporate enhancements to the Route 72 corridor, including Park Street, with proposals for capital improvements submitted by several non-profit organizations on Riverside Avenue. These include the BHA/Vesta Group’s redevelopment of the Sessions Factory into housing, plans for expansion and improvements to American Legion Post #2, improvements at the New England Carousel Museum, and potential upgrades to the Disabled American Veteran’s facility that will continue to seek funds in future rounds. The next round of applications for CIF will be reviewed in May 2023 and Bristol will continue  to support the applications of all eligible projects, especially those on the corridor.

Photo attached: Mayor Caggiano attended the Community Investment Fund (CIF) 2030 Board meeting at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford on March 14th when Round 2 of CIF funding was announced, here he poses with members of the Legislature and the State of Connecticut. From left to right – Matt Pugliese, Director of CIF of the Department of Economic and Community Development for the State of Connecticut; Rob Hotaling, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Economic and Community Development for the State of Connecticut; State Representative, Mary Fortier; Alexandra Daum, Commissioner, Department of Economic and Community Development for the State of Connecticut; Stephanie Thomas, Secretary of the State; Mayor Jeffrey Caggiano, City of Bristol; and State Representative, Joe Hoxha.

Public Information Meeting Scheduled for New Mix Early Action Project

CTDOT logo

 

Issue Date: 03/09/2023

The Connecticut Department of Transportation welcomes the community to learn about the removal of the Exit 21 Off-Ramp on Interstate 84 Eastbound (EB) in Waterbury!

Join us!

Thursday, March 23rd, 2023, from 6-8 PM 

Maloney Magnet School 

233 S Elm Street, Waterbury, CT 06706

 

Click here for more information: https://bit.ly/Exit21NoticeENG

 

Haga clic aqu para ms informacin: https://bit.ly/Exit21SPNotice

If information is needed in another language, please contact the CTDOT Title VI Specialist by phone at 860-594-2109.
Caso esta informação seja necessária em outro idioma, favor contar o Especialista em Título VI do CTDOT pelo fone 860-594-2109.
Si necesita información en otro lenguaje, favor contactar al especialista de CTDOT del Título VI al 860-594-2109.
如果您需要其他语言的信息,请联系康涅狄格州交通部(CTDOT)《民权法》第六章专职人员,电话 860-594-2109。
如果您需要其他语言的信息,请联系康涅狄格州交通部(CTDOT)《民權法》第六章專職人員,電話 860-594-2109。


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