McCrory Welcomes State Investment in Albany Avenue Renovations

Posted on May 3, 2017November 4, 2023 by Webmaster

McCrory Welcomes State Investment in Albany Avenue Renovations

State Senator Doug McCrory (D-Hartford) joined state and local leaders today at the intersection of Albany Avenue and Blue Hills Avenue to announce the mid-June start of a $30 million state investment in renovating Albany Avenue’s traffic flow, pedestrian safety, and economic health.

Sen. McCrory was joined at the announcement by Governor Dannel P. Malloy, Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, House Majority Leader Matt Ritter (D-Hartford), Hartford Common Council President Thomas J. Clarke II, and Councilwoman rJo Winch.

The goal of the street renovations is to improve pedestrian and vehicular safety along Albany Avenue—which Mayor Bronin said is the busiest street in Hartford—and to improve the overall aesthetics of the streetscape. There will be more signalized crosswalks and the addition of sidewalk “bump-outs,” which decrease the distance that pedestrians have to walk from one side of the street to the other. There will also be new dedicated left-turn lanes at intersections to increase traffic safety.

The state Department of Transportation will host a public informational meeting on the project May 18, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Chrysalis Center, 255 Homestead Avenue. The state DOT will also host a job fair for the project on Wednesday, May 24, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Artists Collective Theater at 1200 Albany Avenue.

Sen. McCrory said the long-sought renovations are about more than just new paint and pavement.

“This has got to be not only a traffic project, not only a public safety project, but it has got to be a community revitalization project. It has got to be a business development project. It has got to be a local jobs project. If all this does is add some turn lanes and some crosswalks, then it will not be a truly successful project,” Sen. McCrory said. “I want to make everyone aware that this is a good opportunity for jobs and for businesses. And I want everybody to know that it has taken 16 years to get to where we are today, to do not only what is best not only for this community, but what is best for the City of Hartford.”

“This is an important investment in Hartford,” Rep. Ritter said. “A walkable city is a livable city. I want to thank the hard work of Senator Doug McCrory, the entire Hartford legislative delegation, and our incredibly dedicated residents and merchants for their commitment to the Albany Avenue corridor.”

“Albany Avenue is an important connection between Hartford and the surrounding suburbs, and this project will enhance pedestrian safety and reduce traffic accidents throughout the corridor,” said Governor Malloy. “These improvements are part of our efforts across the state to revitalize and invest in our neighborhoods to foster economic development.”

“Now that we’re close to beginning construction, I hope residents will take full advantage of job opportunities related to the Albany Avenue streetscape project,” said Mayor Bronin. “Revitalizing our commercial corridors is a central part of our economic development efforts, and I am grateful to the state for its partnership in making Albany Avenue safer and more attractive for residents, businesses, and visitors.”

Wethersfield Delegation Speaks Out Against Tree Removal at Brainard Airport

Posted on May 3, 2017 by Webmaster

Wethersfield Delegation Speaks Out Against Tree Removal at Brainard Airport

WETHERSFIELD, CT—Senator Paul Doyle (D-Wethersfield), Senator John Fonfara (D-Hartford), Representative Antonio Guerrera (D-Wethersfield) and Representative Russell Morin (D-Wethersfield) have submitted a letter to the Connecticut Airport Authority outlining their concerns for the tree obstruction removal plan at Hartford-Brainard Airport.

The delegation read their letter aloud at a public hearing at Town Hall on Thursday, April 27, 2017 and expressed their concerns, which include disrupting the ecosystem, diminishing opportunities for recreational activities for residents, and what the tree removal plan could mean for a possible airport expansion.

“I’m looking for solid justification that I have not yet seen for this cutting, so I’ll certainly be keeping an eye on this,” Sen. Doyle said.

“Wethersfield residents have spoken loud and clear and the Airport Authority should listen,” Rep. Guerrera said. “The plan to remove trees from this land is not environmentally sound and ignores a previous conservation easement.”

“The current tree removal plan for Hartford-Brainard Airport is not in the best interests of Wethersfield residents. The trees in this area serve a vital environmental purpose and are important to residents for both recreation and the green space they provide,” Rep. Morin said. “I hope that the Connecticut Airport Authority will take our concerns seriously, and that an amended plan that better fits the needs of both the airport and the Town of Wethersfield can be reached.”

Their letter reads as follows:

April 27, 2017

To the Connecticut Airport Authority:

Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to share our position on the tree obstruction removal plan at Hartford-Brainard Airport. For several reasons, we believe that the current plan is not in the best interest of our environment or Wethersfield constituents.

First, the plan has not been adjusted to reflect concerns that were raised by Wethersfield residents in January. During the first CAA-sponsored public hearing on this matter, many residents spoke out against removing trees from the twenty acres of land located in Wethersfield because it would be environmentally irresponsible. These twenty acres of land are categorized as a floodplain forest. These forests have many benefits. Two of the most important include their ability to act as buffers between agricultural or urban areas and the state’s water resources and the biologically diverse habitats that we provide. For these two key reasons, we, along with residents, are firmly opposed to disrupting the ecosystem.

Additionally, this parcel provides opportunities for recreational activities that many of our residents enjoy. With the removal of these trees, the opportunities for recreational activity become diminished greatly.

Thirdly, this plan disregards the conservation easement that was put into place. This easement prevents the wholesale of cutting trees. It is alarming to know that this easement is being ignored in the planning of this project.

Lastly, residents still do not have answers to their questions from January regarding the tree removal process. When they presented their questions to the CAA, they were told that answers would be provided directly prior to the permitting phase. Our constituents deserve transparency in this process and we ask that any details on this removal process be shared so that the public may comment accordingly.

We appreciate your consideration of our position and hope that our concerns will be addressed.

Sincerely,

John Fonfara, State Senator
Paul Doyle, State Senator

Russell Morin, State Representative
Tony Guerrera, State Representative

Click here to download a PDF copy of the official letter.

Senate Democratic Leaders Propose Fully Transparent and Public Budget Negotiations

Posted on May 1, 2017 by Webmaster

Senate Democratic Leaders Propose Fully Transparent & Public Budget Negotiations

Declaring that it is critically important for Connecticut’s citizens have confidence in the budget-making process, Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) today proposed the most open, transparent and candid budget negotiation process in Connecticut history.

In letters sent earlier today to Governor Dannel P. Malloy, Democratic and Republican caucus leaders, and the chairs of the General Assembly’s budget-writing committees, Senators Looney and Duff proposed that all state budget and budget implementer negotiations be held in the presence of the news media and broadcast on CT-N.

“Rather than enduring a month or perhaps several months of dueling news conferences, debating whose contingent, work-in-progress budget is most legitimate, competitive spin, and strategic or retaliatory leaks, let us take a new, more straightforward, unencumbered approach to our current budget challenge,” wrote Senators Looney and Duff. “We believe that working together, in public, will enhance the prospect of achieving a bipartisan agreement which serves the public interest.”

To accommodate these proposed public budget discussions, Senators Looney and Duff have instructed staff to make a room available each day through the end of the regular legislative session on June 7.

View the letter (downloadable PDF).

Senate Democratic Leaders Propose Fully Transparent and Public Budget Negotiations

Posted on May 1, 2017 by Webmaster

Senate Democratic Leaders Propose Fully Transparent & Public Budget Negotiations

To accommodate these proposed public budget discussions, Senators Looney and Duff have instructed staff to make a room available each day through the end of the regular legislative session on June 7.

View the letter (downloadable PDF).