Date: Fri 23-Apr-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Fairfield-Hills-environment

Full Text:

Wasserman Critical Of Fairfield Hills Environmental Study Delay

BY STEVE BIGHAM

State Rep Julia Wasserman this week expressed her displeasure with the state's

delay in completing an environmental study of the 186-acre core campus of

Fairfield Hills, which is currently for sale.

In a letter to Commissioner Theodore R. Anson of the Department of Public

Works (DPW), Mrs Wasserman said the state's inability to complete the study on

time pushes the sale of the property back even further. The study, which was

supposed to be finished March 8, must be completed before the four prospective

developers can be expected to hand in detailed proposals, which were scheduled

to be in by mid-June. The delay also pushes back the date for when the state

will give Newtown the right-of-first-refusal on the property, giving local

officials more time to study the pros and cons of the purchase.

On Tuesday, the Fairfield Hills Advisory Committee reconvened to discuss the

possible purchase of the Fairfield Hills campus by the town. Over the next

three months, the panel will be called upon to research the issue and make a

recommendation to the Board of Selectmen. The panel will compare the

advantages and drawbacks of private development vs public ownership. Once the

town is offered right-of-first-refusal, it will have 105 days to give the

state a decision.

An Issue Of Communication

Mrs Wasserman also used her letter to express concern over the contaminated

soil and groundwater pollution that remain on a 22.6-acre piece of land at

Fairfield Hills which the state gave to the town in 1997. The state had

removed two underground oil tanks near a garage in that area in 1996. DPW

official Joe Cassidy said last week his agency was aware that some residual

contamination remained and a plan had always been in place to clean it up.

However, the state failed to inform the town of this problem. Needless to say,

town officials were alarmed earlier this month when they were told that

pollution still existed, especially since the state assumed no liability for

the condition of the land once the deed was transferred.

"While I understand that DPW is in the process now of contracting to remove

this contamination, my issue is one of communication," Mrs Wasserman stated.

"Whenever we are dealing with major and sensitive issues, it is important that

your agency communicate their plans to the town and local representatives.

This is especially important in this case because after the tanks were

removed, the site was transferred to the Town of Newtown and the contamination

is now on town property."

Mr Rosenthal received word from Mr Cassidy that the state would take on the

responsibility to clean the site. However, he wants something in writing. This

week, he requested that DPW provide a copy of all current and prior results of

testing performed on town property which was formerly the garage for Fairfield

Hills Hospital. He also requested the state's remediation plan for cleaning

the property, including a time line for completion. In addition, the first

selectman wants a letter from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

approving DPW's remediation plan.

Once the clean-up is completed, Mr Rosenthal has asked for assurance from DPW

that the contamination has been abated. He has also requested communication

from the DEP, certifying that the property is in compliance.