State Grant Aimed At Fairfield Hills Utility Upgrades

By Kendra Bobowick

Unraveling electrical tangles at Fairfield Hills will be easier with the help of grant funding made available this month.

A Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grant will provide $275,000 to Newtown to “pay for utility upgrades on the grounds of the former Fairfield Hills Hospital in Newtown,” according to comments released last week from Governor M. Jodi Rell’s office.

Fairfield Hills Authority Chairman Robert Geckle said, “This is good news. In the midst of completing a phase of plans to upgrade the electric, this will help.”

The release explains, “The project will include water, sewer, storm drain and electrical upgrades on the sprawling campus…”

Authority member John Reed, who has been concerned with the utility metering and bills for the engineer’s house directly across from Reed Intermediate School, said that although he was not certain the grant would address that topic, separating the metering is essential.

“It has been a significant period of time and it is important to get away from estimates and see who is utilizing what,” he said.

The campus — originally all state property — has no submetering to accommodate the portion purchased by the town. “At one time the state owned all of it and it didn’t matter. Now, we just allocate costs at the best estimate,” Mr Geckle said.

Mr Reed also noted the mention of storm drains, saying they will be a big project.

“They’re older and intersect throughout the campus; I’m sure they will be in need upgrades,” Mr Reed said.

Overall, he is pleased to receive funding especially during what he feels is a fiscally difficult time.

“It is good to have state help,” he said.

He also notes the support of State Representative Julia Wasserman, described by the governor’s office as interested in the Newtown’s long-term economy.

Ms Wasserman describes the initial Fairfield Hills purchase as a “very good deal” for the town of Newtown, but is also supportive of the additional STEAP grant funding slated for the campus.

“I fully supported that grant right from the beginning,” she said. Commenting the authority members, she said, “I am sure the money will be used wisely.”

STEAP funds economic development, community conservation and quality of life projects for localities that are ineligible to receive Urban Action (CGS Section 4-66c) bonds. This program is administered by the Office of Policy and Management.

Like Urban Action, STEAP funds are issued by the State Bond Commission and can only be used for capital projects.

The bond commission will meet June 9 in Hartford.