Month: June 2016

Senator Larson Releases Statement on AG’s News that the State has Reached a Deal with Some Insurance Companies on Crumbling Concrete

Senator Tim Larson (D-East Hartford) today commented on the news that the State Attorney General has reached a deal with several insurance companies that would assist homeowners affected by the continuing crumbling concrete foundation crisis.

Senator Larson said:

“I would like to thank Attorney General George Jepsen for his efforts to bring insurance companies to the table on this issue, to provide homeowners with significant relief. State Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Jonathan Harris and I have been working on a multi-pronged approach to address crumbling concrete foundations for quite some time in various towns and with a number of working groups. The news that the Attorney General and several insurance companies have reached an agreement on a program to assist affected homeowners is a bold step, and I am happy these companies are stepping up to help their customers. I am hopeful that more insurance companies will follow suit.”

The following statement is attributed to Attorney General George Jepsen:

“My office has been engaged for a number of months in negotiations with insurance companies seeking to develop a program through which homeowners who are experiencing crumbling foundations could receive significant financial assistance in fixing their homes. At this time, working in coordination with the Malloy Administration and the Departments of Insurance and Consumer Protection, we have developed a framework for this program, and have received indications from a small number of insurance companies that they would be inclined to participate. While it would be inappropriate to identify those insurance companies at this time, I am grateful for their civic-minded willingness to consider a role in addressing this pressing public problem. However, in order for the program to go forward, we need significantly more companies to commit to take part. I would strongly encourage Connecticut homeowners who are experiencing this problem, or who have friends or family members who are experiencing this, to contact their insurance companies and urge them to take part in this program.”

Gerratana: State Investment Will Protect the Purity and Safety of New Britain’s Water

Senator worked to secure funding for New Britain water system improvements

Senator Terry Gerratana (D-New Britain) joined the Department of Public Health (DPH) in announcing new state investment in New Britain’s water system. The New Britain Water Department will receive $1.2 million for system improvements, including the design of source of supply improvements, water main replacements and an emergency generator for the surface water treatment plant.

“I am very glad that we are able to continue supporting the Drinking Water Fund program’s efforts to ensure that New Britain and other communities have the clean, safe water supplies they deserve,” said Senator Gerratana, Senate Chair of the Public Health Committee, which oversees the state’s drinking water quality. “I was glad to support this proposal when it came before me in the Senate, and will continue working to ensure the high quality of New Britain’s water supply.”

New Britain is one of several Connecticut communities receiving new funding for water system improvements from the state’s Drinking Water Fund (DWF) following today’s announcement. The low-interest loans approved by the State Bond Commission will help protect the state’s public drinking water by financing local projects aimed at improving water treatment plants and other facilities.

“By working closely with public water systems, the State of Connecticut continues to ensure that public drinking water infrastructure is maintained in working order and is sustainable into the future. The funding approved by the Bond Commission will ensure that this important work will continue,” said DPH Commissioner Raul Pino. “As a result, our residents will continue to receive high-quality potable drinking water.”

“These important projects are just a few examples of how the DWF program enhances the DPH’s mission of public health protection,” said Lori Mathieu, Public Health Section Chief of the DPH Drinking Water Section. “The provision of potable drinking water is recognized as one of the great public health achievements in history. This funding demonstrates that the State of Connecticut is committed to ensuring that public drinking water infrastructure is sustainable for future generations.”

Gerratana Announces State Investment in Berlin’s Façade and Landscape Program

Funds will be used to assist business owners around the Berlin Train Station

Senator Terry Gerratana (D-New Britain, Berlin) and Representative Joe Aresimowicz (D-Berlin) today announced the approval of state funding to further the work of Berlin’s Façade and Landscape program. The funding will allow Berlin to continue improving commercial properties and pedestrian infrastructure around the train station, attracting new businesses and residents to the community.

“Easy access to rail and other forms of transportation are a great asset to the people of Berlin. The train station allows people to commute to work, and also helps attract visitors interested in our local shops and great restaurants,” said Senator Gerratana. “I have worked with my colleague, Representative Aresimowicz, to secure funding for this and many other projects around Berlin’s transit-oriented development zone. The Façade and Landscape Program has been responsible for great improvements throughout Berlin, and I’m glad we are able to support them as they continue their work.”

“Berlin has made great headway in the design and planning phase of the project to revitalize our downtown area and increase economic development,” said Representative Aresimowicz. “This grant will allow the town to turn those plans into reality, by moving forward with the construction phase of the project and taking the next steps to make Berlin’s downtown area an appealing place to both businesses—old and new—and community members.”

Berlin will receive $500,000 to fund additional projects under the Town’s successful Façade and Landscape Program, which was previously funded through STEAP. This program provides assistance to commercial property owners in the rail TOD zone, and core shopping districts to upgrade their facades and landscaping. The program will help retain and attract new businesses and encourage pedestrian activity in the vicinity of the rail station.

This funding is one of twenty projects around Connecticut that will be receiving state support. The funding comes from a competitive grant program under the state’s Responsible Growth and Transit-Oriented Development Grant Program, which is administered by the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) and relies on a combination of funding from the Responsible Growth Incentive Fund and the Transit-Oriented Development and Pre-development Fund.

State Funds School Improvements in Bloomfield

BLOOMFIELD—State Senators Eric Coleman (D-Bloomfield) and Beth Bye (D-West Hartford) and state Representative David Baram (D-Bloomfield) announced today that the State Bond Commission has approved more than a million dollars for general improvements to school buildings in Bloomfield, thanks to votes they made in 2015 to support Connecticut’s public schools.

On Friday, the State Bond Commission approved $1.213 million for Bloomfield to make various school improvements, including windows, doors, boilers, heating and ventilation systems, communications/technology systems, lockers, floors, ceilings, restrooms, lighting, energy efficiency, entryways, driveways, parking areas, play areas, athletic fields, various equipment, roof repairs and installation or upgrade of security equipment.

The funding was approved as part of the 2015 state bonding bill, which pays for state capital projects and grant programs, including school construction, economic development, municipal aid, and housing development and rehabilitation programs. Both Sens. Coleman and Bye and Rep. Baram both voted for that bill.

“The state is a partner with the town and its residents in protecting our investment in public education, both in terms of the buildings themselves and the students who are educated in them,” Sen. Coleman said. “This funding will take some of the burden off of the local taxpayers to maintain the public schools while simultaneously giving kids a safe and modern place to learn.”

“It’s one thing to build a school; it’s another to maintain and update that school over the decades, which is what these state funds will help do,” Sen. Bye said. “Any investment in our school infrastructure is also an investment in our children, so I’m happy to have helped make these improvements necessary.”

“This funding will help continue to promote educational quality in Bloomfield by providing students improved facilities that support the learning environment,” said Rep. Baram.

The new funding is specifically tied to the state’s Alliance District program, which Connecticut created in order to support 30 different school districts seeking to dramatically increase student outcomes and close achievement gaps by pursuing innovative reforms. In total, Connecticut’s Alliance schools serve more than 200,000 students in 410 different schools.