UPDATE: Thursday, January 30: This story was updated to remove references to a planned Monday Special Session because that session is no longer scheduled.

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Any opponents from Newtown considering a trip to Hartford for a 1 pm informational hearing January 31 on proposed “truck only” tolls can do so knowing they have the full backing of their local Legislative Council and Board of Selectmen.

Both panels, in meetings a few days apart, endorsed similarly worded resolutions that primarily focused on the burden a truck tolling gantry would put on the community, its transportation infrastructure, commuters, emergency response, and quality of life. After several motions to tweak wording, the council unanimously passed its resolution 10-0 (Councilmen Phil Carroll and Chris Smith were absent).

Democratic legislative leaders confirmed that Friday’s informational hearing on the tolls bill is set for 1 pm at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. The hearing is open to the general public as well as to transportation experts and Lamont administration officials.

Both State Senator Tony Hwang (R-28) and Newtown's State Rep Mitch Bolinsky (R-106) reached out to The Newtown Bee just after 6 pm Thursday saying a Special Session planned for early next week to possibly hold a vote on truck tolls was suddenly "not happening," but the Friday hearing was still on.

According to CTMirror.org, the only anticipated legislative support for tolls comes from majority Democrats in the House and Senate — some of whom insisted the bill provide special protections so that only large commercial trucks would be tolled, both now and into the future.

In recent days, GOP lawmakers have become concerned about language in the proposed truck-only legislation that states construction bonds issued over the next two years include language pledging the trucks-only policy would remain in place throughout 2030.

Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano, an attorney, pointed out that this alone is not an absolute legal guarantee against change. He suggested a future legislature could refinance those bonds, paying them off early and replacing them with new financing that does not include restrictive covenants.

“After two years, we could very well see cars and all trucks tolled in Connecticut without the fear of a bond covenant stopping it,” Fasano said during a January 28 news conference. That means as long as the state’s ability to repay the bonds is protected, then Connecticut could change the rules about which vehicles it tolls.

Democratic leaders in the House did not respond Tuesday to Sen Fasano’s charge. Senate President Pro Tem Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven, said “That’s not what this plan is and that’s not what this plan speculates, and we have no intention of going to that point.”

But when pressed about Fasano’s concerns that lawmakers could broaden the system to include cars, Sen Looney only insisted it would not happen for political reasons, even if it were legally permissible. “There is broad-based opposition to passenger tolls,” he said. “I see that continuing.”

Lamont’s communications director, Max Reiss, accused Fasano of election-year “fear mongering.”

“Connecticut voters are smarter than that,” Mr Reiss added.

Most discussion before eventual unanimous votes during both the January 15 council meeting and January 21 selectmen’s meeting centered around the impact a truck toll at or before the eastbound crossing on Interstate 84 at the Rochambeau Bridge to Southbury would have.

Resolution Specifics

The council resolution is a modified version of one that had already passed in Southbury in 2019. Danbury is also among more than two dozen municipalities that passed a resolution against tolls early on in the discussion phase of the proposal.

The council resolution acknowledges that “many of the residents of Newtown use these roadways each day for work, family obligations, and pleasure, including many of the 85 percent of employed Newtown residents who work in other communities”; and “the implementation of tolls may result in a significant amount of traffic on Newtown’s roads as drivers attempt to avoid the cost burden.”

The resolution points out that trucks — apparently including smaller box trucks as well as tractor-trailers — would create:

1. Dramatic increase in the number of tractor-trailer trucks and heavy-duty commercial vehicles traveling our local roads and encroaching on our scenic New England community, negatively impacting the town’s character and atmosphere.

2. A dramatic rise in tractor-trailer trucks and heavy-duty commercial vehicles subjecting streets to increased damage, maintenance, and repair costs, resulting in increased tax burden on Newtown citizens.

3. The crowding of secondary roads, an increase in traffic accidents, and disruption of pedestrian and bicyclist enjoyment in and around the road affected;

4. The crowding of Sandy Hook Center, the area around Exit 11, Newtown High School, Glen Road, and Church Hill Road, resulting in harmful impacts on efforts to improve those areas.

5. Traffic congestion from increased vehicles and accidents delaying response times for emergency personnel, causing significant safety concerns and compromising the standards of safety care.

6. Discouraging retail establishments and shopping, putting our valued local businesses at a competitive disadvantage, and increasing costs while degrading convenience for residents, neighbors, and visitors.

7. Significant downward pressure on local real estate values, as the increased traffic on local roads makes Newtown a less attractive town for home buyers, developers, and business owners.

The only significant difference in the selectmen’s resolution is one line stating: “The Board of Selectmen of the Town of Newtown is concerned about the additional financial weight tolls would add to the burden residents already carry,” otherwise each resolution is virtually identical except for identifying the body issuing it.

Friday Hearing Information

Newtown State Rep Mitch Bolinsky and State Senator Tony Hwang were on hand for, and fully supported, the council’s resolution. Sen Hwang told the council such a resolution sends a message to Hartford that Newtown’s voice in the debate must be considered and respected — and could play a role in encouraging lawmakers to slow down and not rush to pass a tolling authorization before the regular legislative session, which begins Wednesday, February 5.

Sen Hwang returned for the selectmen’s discussion and vote, also expressing appreciation for their endorsement against truck tolls.

On January 29, Rep Bolinsky reminded residents who oppose tolls that they had limited opportunity to make their voices heard.

On Friday January 31, 2020, at 1 pm in Hartford, Democrats will hold a public hearing on their latest tolls proposal before a vote early next week. Read the draft bill by visiting cthousegop.com/hill/wp-content/uploads/sites/80/2020/01/2020-Draft-LCO-373.pdf.

“Your voice matters. Please testify,” Rep Bolinsky said in an e-mail advisory. “You can do so in person by coming to Hartford on Friday to testify or, if your schedule does not allow, you may submit your testimony online. Even if you’re going to testify live, it is also a good idea to submit a written version electronically. It’s easy.”

He said anyone wishing to speak out in Hartford can come to the Legislative Office Building on Friday, January 31 — signups for the lottery will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 am to testify later at the 1 pm hearing in Room 1E. Tips and FAQs about testifying are available on the CGA website cga.ct.gov/asp/content/yourvoice.asp.

To submit testimony online, send a brief e-mail ASAP to TRAtestimony@cga.ct.gov. Rep Bolinsky suggests putting “NO to Draft Bill LCO #373. No to tolls.” in the subject line. Include your name and town, and copy him on the e-mail at Mitch.Bolinsky@housegop.ct.gov.

Those not wishing to testify can still attend the hearing.

Connecticut Mirror content by Keith M. Phanuef was used in this report.