Cameras aimed to protect CT highway workers pose privacy risks, critics say 

Julia Bergman

Elias Khoury has been working for the state Department of Transportation for nearly a decade and the highway maintenance worker says speeding motorists have made his job less safe over the years.

“Drivers are going faster and faster,” said Khoury, a unionized worker who pointed out that many DOT employees have experienced “close calls” as they perform highway maintenance, clear debris from the road, and repair guardrails, among other tasks.

“They knock cones over that’s how close they come to us,” he said.

With distracted driving and speeding a common occurrence on Connecticut’s roadways, the state will install specialized cameras in work zones next year in an effort to slow down drivers.

The pilot program, which is expected to start as soon as next summer, has also faced opposition with some saying it raises privacy concerns and is meant as a revenue generator as opposed to an effort to increase highway safety.

The program will involve placing three movable speed detectors in work zones in different regions of the state. The cameras will be used to capture the license plate number of any vehicle traveling 15 mph or more over the speed limit in a work zone.

A driver will get a warning for a first violation. A second violation will result in a $75 fine and a third infraction will result in a $150 fine. Tickets will be mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle. The infractions will not go against a driver's insurance, according to state officials.

Any fines collected will go into the Special Transportation Fund, which finances the state’s transportation system, including the operating costs of the Department of Transportation and the Department of Motor Vehicles.

From Jan. 1 until Sept. 11, there were 576 crashes in work zones, resulting in three people being killed and four others seriously injured, according to preliminary data from the DOT. The data does not include statistics from the Hartford and New Haven police departments due to issues transmitting the information to DOT.

Several states, including Pennsylvania, Washington, Illinois and Maryland, have launched similar programs. The Connecticut proposal came up during the General Assembly’s 2021 legislative session, but did not pass a standalone bill. Instead, it was included in the so-called budget implementer bill, a massive document that does not receive the same level of oversight as individual pieces of legislation.

In testimony on the bill earlier this year, the Connecticut State Police Union, which opposed the plan, called the speed enforcement cameras “unreliable” and said state troopers should be used to protect motorists and highway workers.

“When a speeding motorist travels through a work zone, a speed camera cannot initiate a motor vehicle stop to eliminate a dangerous and reckless operator from our roadways,” Executive Director Andrew Matthews testified.

Raising another concern, Matthews said the operator of the vehicle could differ from the registered owner of the vehicle — a potential discrepancy that cameras could not detect.

“If the speed camera only captures an image of the vehicle license plate, how would the identity of the operator be verified?” he asked.

Carl Chisem, president of Connecticut Employees Union Independent, SEIU Local 511, pushed back on claims that the program is a cash grab and refuted accusations that it’s meant to replace state troopers.

The union represents over 3,600 state workers, including about 1,500 transportation maintainers employed by DOT.

“To me, if this generates zero dollars, that means the program is doing its job because all we want is awareness,” Chisem said. “It’s not a gotcha type of program in my eyes.”

“If they want to put troopers out there in the zones, that’s fine with me,” Chisem added.

Connecticut’s airports receive $12.5 million in federal grants, with two projects planned at Bradley

Julia Perkins

Eleven airports in the state have been awarded nearly $12.5 million in federal infrastructure funding that is expected to help them increase flights and invest in infrastructure improvements.

Connecticut leaders announced the funding from the Federal Aviation Administration on Friday. This is the first of a series of grants the airports will receive over the next five years as part of the federal infrastructure package passed in November.

Bradley International Airport will get the biggest chunk, with more than $9 million.

Gov. Ned Lamont said this will “turbo-charge” Connecticut’s comeback.

“The allocations announced [Friday] by the Federal Aviation Administration to Bradley and our general aviation airports will accelerate much-needed safety, capacity, and airfield improvements,” he said in a statement. “New federal funding will complement state and private investments and make Connecticut even more competitive.”

Over the next five years, $45 million will go toward Bradley, said U.S. Rep. John Larson, D-Conn.

“Bradley has been recognized as one of the top airports in the country and this funding will continue to help the airport and region thrive,” he said in a statement.

The money will partially fund two projects at Bradley.

The first will streamline the baggage detection system, which forces passengers to carry their own checked luggage and constrains available ticket counter space, officials said. This project will also add additional gate and concession space. The airport’s federal inspection services may also eventually be moved to create a seamless terminal facility for all travelers.

The second project will “reimagine” passenger circulation, replacing the centrally located exit lane with vertical circulation cores on each end of the terminal, officials said. This will alleviate terminal congestion by providing space to expand the footprint of the main TSA security checkpoint and route passengers more directly from their concourse to baggage claim.

“These funds will be put to good use at Bradley Airport building capacity for airline growth so we can continue offering service to new nonstop destinations across the country and globe,” said Kevin A. Dillon, executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority, in a statement. “These funds will also provide for important safety and airfield investments in airports across the state. We are committed to providing the safest and most convenient airport experience possible, and [Friday’s] announcement will ensure that we are able to meet that goal now and in the future.”

At the the Connecticut Airport Authority’s general aviation airports, the money will be used generally to enhance airfield infrastructure and undertake other necessary safety projects.

Other airports

In this round, Tweed New Haven Airport will get more than $1 million.

“Improving our transportation infrastructure is vital to growing Connecticut’s economy and, thanks to the great work of our federal delegation, we will now be able to undertake additional and incredibly important projects that will help create jobs, enhance safety, protect our environment and improve the overall passenger experience here at Tweed Airport,” Sean Scanlon, executive director, said in a statement.

Igor I Sikorsky Memorial in Bridgeport will receive $763,000. Airport Director Michelle Muoio said the grant will be used to “evaluate and pursue coastal flooding resiliency efforts as well as opportunities to expand safety measures and optimize airport services for new and existing users.”

Danbury, Groton-New London, and Waterbury-Oxford airports will each get $295,000. Another $159,000 each will go toward Danielson, Hartford-Brainard, Meriden Markham Municipal, Robertson Field and Windham airports.

Danbury Municipal Airport plans to use the funds to toward rehabilitating a “vital” taxiway, said Michael Safranek, Danbury Municipal Airport administrator.

“The bipartisan infrastructure package is already proving to be a game-changer for Connecticut,” U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said in a statement. “This first round of funding for our state’s airports will help to increase flights to destinations around the world while improving safety and security and enhancing the overall customer experience. The people and businesses of Connecticut will continue to see their lives dramatically improved as a result of these historic investments in our state’s infrastructure.”

U.S. Sen.

 Chris Murphy, D-Conn., noted travelers are experiencing long lines, canceled flights and crowded airports.

“This federal funding will help Connecticut airports increase their capacity, making travel much more convenient,” he said in a statement.

Madison Academy School site could be $15.9 million community center

Christine DeRosa

MADISON — After years of debate, the Academy School project, which town leaders say could transform the downtown area, finally will head to referendum.

The building has a long history in town, according to First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons, who said it was built in 1921 before an addition in 1935.

The building has a long history in town, according to First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons, who said it was built in 1921 before an addition in 1935.

“It basically was closed by the Board of Education in 2004 and handed over to the town in 2011,” Lyons said at an information session held Dec. 9 for the Academy Community Center proposal, calling the project an exciting opportunity.

Studies were done in 2004, 2007, 2010 and 2012; a committee was formed in 2018, and fell to another committee in 2019 that came up with the community center proposal.

The idea for a community center came from a public opinion poll completed in 2018 after respondents chose that idea as the one they were most interested in seeing move forward.

The plan initially was to move the community center project to referendum in 2020 but the pandemic delayed that. The project got pushed to the back-burner, a townwide facility study was completed and then selectmen voted to move forward with the project.

Plans for new community spaces

Two town departments were identified as a good fit for the space because they are public-oriented and have a high level of public interface: Madison Youth and Family Services, which has been struggling with their current space, Lyons said, and Beach and Recreation, which also is program focused.

Moving the Beach and Recreation department to the community center would free up space at the town campus for other town uses, Lyons said.

These departments are planned to take up about 7,000 square feet of the more than 40,000-square-foot Academy building.

Plans show the lower level of the building would have the Youth Services offices, a kitchen and various community spaces that could be used as an arts and crafts space, gallery, educational space or resource center.

The project is estimated to cost $15.9 million, an increase from the previously disclosed $14 million due to the increase in material costs and the decision to add a geothermal system into the budget. Initially, the plan was to go after grants to pay for the system, but board members decided it was important it be reflected in the budget.

The building currently is not ADA compliant; it would be made fully accessible, and asbestos and environmental hazards in the building would be abated, Marc Sklenka, managing director at Colliers, a professional services and investment management company, said.

The main level would feature a large gymnasium with a stage, social lobby/lounge with a cafe near the Beach and Recreation offices, various community spaces, and an auditorium/meeting room.

More spaces and Youth and Family Services offices and suites would be located on the upper level.

Additional parking also would be added. There are 30 parking spots at the building now, but plans show 91 proposed spots.

The new space also would allow more community offerings, such as a commercial kitchen for cooking classes for children and adults, a 130-seat theater for the greater Madison theater and music community, a full-size basketball court and more.

Beach and Recreation currently uses only one indoor programming space, the Town Campus gym, which is extremely multipurpose, according to the department’s director Austin Hall.

“To have an additional space such as Academy would allow us to expand our offerings a hundredfold as to what we do now,” Hall said at the information session.

Project costs, plans moving forward

As for the cost of the project, Lyons said the town would acquire more debt but she hoped it wouldn’t be the full $15.9 million. The plan is to bond the project, with the town paying for it over 22 years.

Lyons said there are many other funding sources the town could use for both the project, and its entire capital portfolio, as well.

Some of those sources include state historic preservation grants, state bonding revenue program, tax credits, federal brownfield cleanup grants, energy efficiency grants or rebates and more, at both the state and federal levels.

“Because this is downtown, we qualify for some brownfield-type grants from the Department of Economic Development in the state,” Lyons said. “There’s a lot of options for us to reduce the amount that we have to bond.”

Moving forward in January, the Board of Selectmen will approve the bond resolution for the special town meeting and set the date for both the meeting and referendum.

A special town meeting will be held Feb. 1, with the referendum to be held Feb. 15.

After the referendum, selectmen will establish an Academy Building Committee, with construction to begin in 2023. A working group then would be established to create room usage policies. The town facility committee would determine the future of the youth services current building.

Renovations and the community center opening are set for 2024.

Second grant could bring funding for Margerie trail in Danbury, New Fairfield to $2.28 million

Kendra Baker

NEW FAIRFIELD — An additional $1.8 million could be coming to bring plans for the long-proposed Margerie Reservoir Trail to fruition.

The state Bond Commission will meet Tuesday to vote on millions of dollars in requested funds for various projects across the state — including the proposed multi-use trail, which received a $484,000 grant-in-aid from the commission earlier this year.

First proposed more than a decade ago, the about 2.5-mile, multi-use trail would run along the 270-acre Margerie Reservoir, connecting New Fairfield’s town center to Peck Road in Danbury.

“I am happy to see the trail get the funding it so desperately needs for I have been working on this project for the past many years,” State Rep. Ken Gucker, D-Danbury said in a statement. “This valuable resource will provide much needed safe passive recreation as well as be an economic driver for not only Danbury, but the town of New Fairfield.”

Gov. Ned Lamont backs the grant.

“The Margerie Reservoir is among the most gorgeous natural resources in Connecticut, and this multi-use trail will enhance the recreational opportunities for everyone in the area,” he said in a statement.

A report from the Western Connecticut Council of Governments, after a more-than-yearlong study of the Route 37 corridor, estimated the project to cost between $2 million and $3.5 million and take about five years to complete.

If approved, the additional $1.8 million grant-in-aid from the state would bring the project’s total funding to roughly $2.28 million.

Gucker says the Margerie Reservoir Trail would be a place where people can enjoy passive outdoor recreation, and provide a safe, walkable gateway from downtown New Fairfield to Peck Road in Danbury.

Danbury Mayor Dean Esposito said he’s excited about the prospect of the trail because it would “give residents the ability to stay healthy, and go out and enjoy nature.”

State Sen. Julie Kushner, D-Danbury, would also like to see the trail built, saying “there’s no question that (it) will provide a natural link for the two communities of New Fairfield and Danbury.”

After securing the $484,000 state grant earlier this year, New Fairfield’s Board of Selectmen approved a charter establishing a Margerie Reservoir Trail Advisory Committee. To move forward, the city of Danbury needs to approve the charter as well.

Esposito — who became Danbury’s mayor at the start of the month — said the city hasn’t formed the committee yet, but he supports the project. He said he wants to ensure the reservoir wouldn’t be negatively affected.

“If we can figure out what’s the best avenue to provide that trail, it would be great,” Esposito said.

During its meeting on Tuesday, the state Bond Commission will consider $210,170 for a new elevator and Americans with Disabilities Act improvements at New Fairfield’s Squantz Engine Company firehouse.

Gucker said the funds are much needed to help make the firehouse ADA compliant and as a former New Fairfield volunteer firefighter, he understands “the importance of this project to the community.”

The state Bond Commission’s Tuesday meeting is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.

New London to target Garfield Avenue area for infrastructure improvements

Greg Smith 

New London — The city is considering creation of a special district to tackle blight and boost incentives for investment in the area surrounding the vacant Garfield Mills.

The idea of forming a Tax Increment Financing district comes even as a developer moves forward with plans for the estimated $36 million adaptive reuse of the vacant sprawling mill complex on Garfield Avenue. The new owner, Litchfield-based Park Lane Group, is planning 90 apartments, a mix of market-rate and affordable housing, inside buildings originally constructed to house rows of silk looms.

The area has a mix of residential, industrial and commercial properties.

The TIF district would allow any increase in tax revenues from rising property values to be set aside for the benefit of infrastructure improvements in that area. Felix Reyes, director of New London’s Office of Development and Planning, said the money could be used for improvements to roads, sidewalks, parks, lighting or any number of projects to improve the quality of life for the residents. It also would serve to incentivize investment by the owners of industrial and commercial properties in the area that are either vacant or have fallen into disrepair.

“It’s essentially a mechanism where a portion of the tax revenue gets reinvested in the neighborhood,” Mayor Michael Passero said. “We want the private investment market to take a look at the opportunities in this. We’ve targeted this neighborhood as a prime location for increasing our mixed income housing stock.”

While the coronavirus pandemic slowed movement with the development of the mill, Park Lane Group principal Ted Lazarus said plenty of work has been going on behind the scenes to secure funding through a mix of sources that include state and federal historic tax credits available for adaptive reuse projects such as this one.

The 90 Garfield Ave. property earlier this year was added to the National Register of Historic Places under its historical name: the Edward Bloom Silk Company Factory. The complex was built between 1920 and 1960 and consists of several red brick buildings. It also has housed the Garfield Belt Company, National Foreman’s Institute and Templeton Radio Manufacturing Company.

Lazarus also had worked with city officials, including Grants Coordinator Adriana Reyes, to secure a $1 million award from the state Department of Economic and Community Development Brownfield Grants Program. There is no city match required and the money will help defray costs of remediation of contaminants at the site. Lazarus said his company is finalizing funding for the project and performing further environmental studies of the property. He is working with the city with the intent of holding a community forum in the new year to outline his plans. “We just want the neighbors to know what we’re planning,” he said.

Reyes said Garfield Mills is a difficult site to develop, as evidenced by the length of time it has stood empty.

“From the city’s perspective, kudos to him," Reyes said. "He’s doing what has to be done for this type of project. Without this effort, we lose the buildings and start thinking about demolition.”

Reyes said a boost to the quality of life in the surrounding neighborhoods is also personal for him, having grown up in the area. The City Council is expected to be involved in discussion of the TIF district in the coming weeks.