Month: July 2016

East Hartford Delegation Applauds $12 Million in Bonding for Silver Lane Infrastructure Improvements

East Hartford, CT—The East Hartford delegation today welcomed the news that the State Bond Commission voted to approve a $12 million grant-in-aid for redevelopment of the Silver Lane and Rentschler Field Corridor.

The State Bond Commission met at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford Tuesday morning, where it approved the funding for public infrastructure improvements for redevelopment of Silver Lane, which local and state officials believe is primed for enormous economic growth due to its location and proximity to world class industry leaders.

“I want to thank Governor Malloy for this significant contribution toward the successful completion of his vision for East Hartford’s ‘aerospace alley,’” said Senator Tim Larson (D-East Hartford). “Pratt & Whitney’s world headquarters and the United Technologies Research Center will continue to be the anchors of our local economy, and I believe that they will draw new and innovative businesses and other exciting opportunities and investments to the Silver Lane and Rentschler Field corridor. This funding will allow us to develop the necessary infrastructure to support the new development and jobs that will rejuvenate East Hartford and the state as a whole.”

“We thank the governor for his continued support of investment to the East Hartford community,” state Representative Jeff Currey (D-East Hartford) said. “These funds for the redevelopment of Silver Lane and the Rentshler Field corridor will revitalize East Hartford’s main artery and ready it for additional infrastructure, business expansion, and job growth, all of which are needed to help restore the heart of East Hartford to the thriving area it once was.”

“This is a great step forward for development of Rentschler Field and the Silver Lane corridor,” said state Representative Jason Rojas (D-East Hartford). “The Mayor, her team and the legislative delegation have been working with the Governor’s Office to secure these funds to invest in infrastructure improvements that are key to any future development. I appreciate Governor Malloy’s and the state’s investment in East Hartford and looking forward to finalizing a master plan for the enormous development opportunity that exists in East Hartford that will benefit the region and state.”

“I would like to thank Governor Malloy for meeting with myself, the East Hartford delegation and the East Hartford Mayor. The $12 million is an important investment to improve the infrastructure at Rentschler Field. This will help spur other development in the area benefitting the Town of East Hartford with the creation of jobs,” said state Representative Henry Genga.

Bye: State Overtime Reduced By $33 Million, With 5 Percent Fewer Employees

Citing a new report out today by the non-partisan state Office of Fiscal Analysis, state Senator Beth Bye (D-West Hartford), who is Senate Chair of the Appropriations Committee, announced today that state employee overtime has been cut by $32.9 million over the past year and has been accomplished with five percent fewer state employees.

According to OFA, overtime has been reduced from $237.6 million in FY 2015 to approximately $204.7 million through the first 11 months of FY 2016.

Reducing the amount of state employee overtime is and has been a state budget priority for Sen. Bye and other legislators as they attempt to reduce state spending in the wake of reduced tax revenue collections, especially in the area of personal and corporate income taxes.

“We’ve reduced overtime over the past year by about 14 percent, a savings to the taxpayers of nearly $33 million, and we’ve done that with five percent fewer employees, which is even more impressive,” said Sen. Bye. “I think these numbers just go to show that Connecticut is taking its fiscal responsibilities very seriously, and that we are leaving no stone unturned—including layoffs, reduced overtime and increased productivity—in our effort to achieve budgetary savings.”

The OFA report notes that just five state agencies account for over 90 percent of General Fund overtime expenditures: the Department of Correction, Department of Mental Health and
Addiction Services, Department of Developmental Services, Department of Children and Families, and the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

• DOC overtime was reduced $18.98 million, or 22.8 percent, over 2015
• DDS overtime was reduced $5 million, or 10.8 percent
• DCF overtime was reduced $3.12 million, or 14.7 percent
• Dept. of Social Services overtime was reduced $2.58 million, or 32.3 percent

At the same time, the number of state employees in the 36 state agencies accruing overtime dropped by 989 positions, or 5 percent, from 19,726 to 18,737.

The OFA report notes that the FY 2016 figures are for the first 11 months of the fiscal year, from July 1, 2015 through June 1, 2016. The full report can be found online.

Larson Announces State Investments in East Windsor, Ellington, South Windsor and East Hartford

State Senator Tim Larson (D-East Hartford) today welcomed news that the towns of East Windsor, Ellington, South Windsor and East Hartford are slated to receive grant-in-aid funding when the State Bond Commission meets for a vote next week.

On Tuesday, July 12, the State Bond Commission is expected to vote to release funding that will benefit all four towns in the 3rd Senatorial District which have chosen to partner on large purchases through a program called the Intertown Capital Equipment (ICE) Purchase Incentive Program.

“As the Senate Chairman of the M.O.R.E (Municipal Opportunities & Regional Efficiencies) Commission, I feel strongly that this type of regional investment perfectly demonstrates the type of collaboration among towns that we are striving for,” said Sen. Larson. “The ‘ICE’ program has been invaluable to our smaller towns, where it is often difficult to fund the purchase of an expensive—but critical—piece of equipment that is only needed intermittently. The towns which have chosen to ‘regionalize’ by sharing the cost and use of the equipment have been able to save hundreds of thousands of dollars over time by participating in this program and sharing the cost of large purchases.”

At its meeting, the State Bond Commission is expected to approve grants-in-aid to the following towns in and around the 3rd District:

• Ellington, East Windsor and Somers—$68,000 for an asphalt recycler
• Enfield and East Windsor—$92,000 for a skid steer with attachments
• Enfield and East Windsor—$131,000 for a sewer camera and truck
• East Hartford and Manchester—$111,000 for a John Deere tractor with mowing equipment
• Enfield, Ellington and Somers—$58,000 for a mobile propane bottle recycler
• Ellington, Vernon and Stafford—$188,000 for a sewer line camera truck
• South Windsor, Coventry and Tolland—$89,000 for computer equipment

“I am very happy to support the ICE program and the funding it has contributed to our local communities, and will continue to ensure we fight for programs that make good fiscal sense for our state and for our local taxpayers,” said Sen. Larson.

Bye Welcomes State Loan For Affordable Housing Near CTFastrak On New Park Avenue

WEST HARTFORD —Senator Beth Bye (D-West Hartford) announced today that the State Bond Commission will give West Hartford a $5 million loan to help build a new, mixed-income housing development on the site of an abandoned automobile dealership at 616 New Park Avenue, adjacent to the CTFastrak station and across the street from The Hartford Baking Company and other retail shops.

The $5 million loan will be provided at 1 percent interest for 30 years—with principle and interest deferred—to Trout Brook Realty Advisors, which is a separate nonprofit corporation established by the West Hartford Housing Authority to acquire, develop, manage and rehabilitate affordable housing in town.

Sen. Bye—who requested that this bonding be made a priority—said the development will include several below-market rental units which she believes will help attract and retain young people to live and grow in West Hartford.

“Attracting and keeping young people in Connecticut is one of my priorities, which is why I have been so focused on investing in new technologies like gigabit internet service and funding state startups,” Sen. Bye said. “But these Generation Y and Z residents need an affordable place to live if they are going to work here. Connecticut has some of the highest housing costs in the country, so affordable apartments like these—on a high-speed bus line, and in a vibrant community—make their Connecticut options much more attractive.”

It has been reported that projected rents for the below-market rate units at 616 New Park will be $1,055 a month for a one-bedroom unit and $1,259 a month for a two-bedroom unit; similar market-rate units are $1,300 and $1,550, respectively.

Thirty-two below-market rate units will be built for people with incomes 60 percent or less of the area median income, or about $36,800 for an individual and $52,500 for a family. Another 11 units of supportive housing for military veterans and 11 market-rate units will also be built.

Construction on the $22 million project is expected to begin in the fall, with completion in 2018.

New Britain Legislators Announce Approval Of Funding For New Jobs, Housing Units And Other Improvements To New Britain

Funding expected to be approved at State Bond Commission Meeting on July 12

Senator Terry Gerratana (D-New Britain) joined New Britain’s legislative delegation today in announcing the imminent approval of state investment in the city. The funds, which are expected to be approved when the state bond commission meets on Tuesday, July 12, will allow for the expansion of Polamar Precision’s manufacturing facilities, the creation of new affordable housing units, and the construction of a new monument honoring the city’s veterans.

“I am glad that we have been successful in securing this additional funding for the city of New Britain, which will help us grow jobs, fight homelessness and honor our veterans,” said Senator Gerratana. “Polamar Precision has been a great neighbor and major employer in New Britain. By supporting their growth we are ensuring hundreds of new, good-paying jobs in our city which will help put more people to work and generate new economic activity in the area. Establishing new supportive and affordable housing opportunities will help more people escape homelessness and poverty, allowing them to become more independent as they look to improve their lives.”

“I am pleased the state prioritized these much needed critical, affordable and supportive housing projects for New Britain,” Representative Bobby Sanchez said. “I am also particularly thankful for the $300,000 allocation for the construction of a monument to honor our beloved Borinqueneers. I am proud to have championed this project in Hartford, along with many supporters and advocates that helped us during the process.”

“The state’s support of these projects is an example of how we can strategically support growth in this city,’ Representative Rick Lopes said. “These funds will support business expansion, job growth and fight homelessness, three initiatives that are crucial to the future of New Britain.”

“Housing and manufacturing are two areas where we’ve continued to make critical investments—and areas where we continue to make strides. We are pleased to support the New Britain community through these efforts and through this funding,” said Governor Dannel P. Malloy.

Polamar Precision, Inc., a New Britain-based manufacturer of engine and airframe components will receive $500,000 in grants and a $1.9 million loan. These funds will assist Polamar with machinery and equipment for the expansion of its facilities in New Britain. As a result of this expansion, the company will retain 100 jobs and create 200 new jobs within three years.

Another loan will be made available to a housing manufacturer in New Britain to assist with the development of new housing units. This $1.9 million loan will be used to develop 14 new units, including 12 affordable units of rental housing at 477 Columbus Boulevard in New Britain. Additionally, the Friendship Service Center of New Britain, Inc. will receive a $2.1 million grant to assist with the construction of eleven units of supportive housing at 180 North Street in New Britain.

Finally, a $300,000 grant will be provided to the city of New Britain for the construction of a monument to the 65th Infantry Regiment. Members of this regiment, nicknamed “The Borinqueneers,” have fought in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the post-9/11 military conflicts. The Borinqueneers were the first body of native troops in Puerto Rico to fight in the United States army.