SENATOR NEEDLEMAN, COLCHESTER FIRST SELECTMAN HIGHLIGHT $1.728 MILLION GRANT SUPPORTING NORTON MILL REMEDIATION
September 1, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969
Today, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) and Colchester First Selectman Bernie Dennler highlighted a $1.728 million grant supporting Colchester’s continued redevelopment of the former Norton Paper Mill into Norton Park.
The grant was announced in the State Bond Commission’s September 8 agenda, with a vote to approve expected on that day.
The $1.728 million grant will support the completion of the conversion of the former Norton Paper Mill brownfield site into a passive recreation park, supporting visitors seeking to utilize the nearby Air Line Trail or visit Colchester’s agricultural hub. The park project needs this support after environmental remediation was more extensive than first thought.
The project is slated for completion in autumn of 2027. The park will be located within close proximity to a number of local landmarks including the Air Line Trail, Salmon River State Forest, Day Pond State Park and local multi-family housing developments.
Additionally, the completion of the project’s remediation will help ensure the safety of those housing developments’ drinking water, removing known contaminants from the ground at the park’s site.
“This project represents a significant step for Colchester, taking an unused property and turning it into a beautiful park that will draw residents locally and from afar,” said Sen. Needleman. “I am excited to see the park’s completion and its new status as a draw for local recreation, benefitting our community. I’m grateful to Governor Lamont and the State Bond Commission for their support of Colchester.”
“I am so grateful to Governor Lamont and Senator Needleman for their support of the Norton Park project,” said First Selectman Dennler. “Previously, their support helped us clean up a contaminated site to protect this critical watershed. Now, it will help us transform that site into a beautiful park that will benefit residents, visitors, and businesses in the Westchester area of Colchester.”
