Once a liability, infrastructure is becoming an asset for Lamont

MARK PAZNIOKAS

Even before final passage in the U.S. House, the massive federal infrastructure spending package is yielding political benefits for Gov. Ned Lamont, a first-term governor well into an undeclared campaign for re-election in 2022.

The bill would send at least $5.38 billion to Connecticut over the next five years, allowing the Lamont administration to move forward on promised transportation spending stymied by the General Assembly.

“If that becomes law, that’s going to be the single largest increase in transportation in our nation’s history since Eisenhower, since the start of the interstate highway system,” said Garett Eucalitto, the deputy commissioner of transportation.

The political impact was evident last week at a meeting of the Connecticut State Building Trades Council addressed by Eucalitto, Commissioner Katie Dykes of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and Lamont.

A potential flash point — the administration’s opposition to construction of a gas-fired power plant in Killingly long favored by the trades as a source of good jobs — was mentioned only in passing.

Instead, the governor was sent home with a standing ovation and a significant promise from Keith Brothers, a Laborers union leader elected last week as president of the statewide building trades council.

“You’ll always have our support,” Brothers said.

An issue that once threatened Lamont’s hopes for a second term, infrastructure spending now is an asset for the governor, largely due to factors beyond his control.

The roll out of his proposal for highway tolls was a disaster that kept Lamont on the defensive throughout 2019 and into the first weeks of 2020, when the governor finally declared the effort dead. 

He ended his first year with approval ratings among the lowest of any governor.

Lamont’s management of the COVID-19 pandemic was approved in polls by about 70% of voters, lifting his overall approval to 56% in the most recent survey, according to a Sacred Heart University poll in May.

On the infrastructure issue, his failure to win passage of highway tolls has been offset by the passage of a mileage fee on heavy trucks, an increase in fuel-tax revenue due to higher prices, and the promise of unprecedented federal largesse.

The federal bill passed by the evenly divided Senate and awaiting final action in the Democratic-controlled House would more than triple the money due to Connecticut through various spending formulas.

The $5.38 billion it would generate for the state over five years is measured against the $1.62 billion over the previous five, said Eucalitto, the deputy DOT commissioner. Other competitive grants also would be on the table.

In remarks to the building trades, who met last week at Mohegan Sun to elect new officers, Lamont acknowledged that finding state funding for infrastructure has been a problem but one mitigated by the election of Joe Biden as president.

“I have to convince legislators every day, these are the most important investments we can make,” Lamont said. “We’re making these investments, we’re going to be making these investments for the foreseeable future. And I’ve got a partner down in Washington, D.C.”

Lamont was one of Biden’s earliest supporters, writing a check to his campaign on April 25, 2019, the day Biden formally became a candidate. 

“I’ll be blunt, I don’t like to do politics all the time. But I was a Joe Biden guy because Joe Biden knew the importance of infrastructure,” Lamont told the trades. “And he’s putting his money where his mouth is —  this is the biggest infrastructure bill in the history of this country.”

The governor’s struggles over tolls in 2019 coincided with a low period for the building trades, whose leadership resented the failure of the legislature’s Democratic majority to rally around the governor’s plan.

The trades also had complained that the rest of the labor movement in Connecticut was insufficiently supportive, prompting a discussion about withdrawing from the AFL-CIO, the federation that often speaks for labor in Hartford. 

In a vote by their executive council, the trades recently affirmed their intention to remain. One reason was passage of Senate Bill 999, a measure that labor says will ensure that union labor gets a significant share of clean-energy projects. 

Some of the leaders, while acknowledging that their rank and file are more conservative than other unions, say they are trying to find more common ground with a labor movement largely yoked to the Democratic Party.

Joseph P. Toner, the executive director of the trades council, said his members have not given up on the Killingly plant, which he says can be justified as part of a transition to a greener economy.

Toner said he found the opposition to the plant jarring, given that Lamont’s predecessor, Dannel P. Malloy, had promoted natural gas as a cheaper and cleaner alternative to oil and coal. 

Connecticut’s last coal-fired plant, a 400-megawatt unit at PSEG Power’s Bridgeport Harbor Station, was retired in June. Two years ago, PSEG opened a larger gas-fired generator at Bridgeport Station.

But Lamont has set a goal of carbon-free electricity by 2040.

Toner listened politely to Lamont’s environmental and energy commissioner, Katie Dykes, make a pitch about the transportation climate initiative and how labor will benefit from the transition away from fossil fuels, including electric vehicles.

“That’s going to mean a lot of infrastructure work to build out those charging stations across the state,” Dykes said.

Toner told her that the building trades were in talks with two developers of proposed anaerobic digester projects, a technology that uses microorganisms to break down food and other organic waste.

“Any help on the anaerobic digesters would be much appreciated,” Toner told Dykes. “That’s going to actually fill the void for us on the electric side, on the electric generation side, where we’re losing those jobs.”

Overall, Toner said, the renewables offer fewer man-hours for the trades, but the unions are trying to stay nimble.

“We’re trying to find our way,” Toner said later, after Dykes, Eucalitto and Lamont had left. “There is a transition. We accept that.”

Several trade-union leaders complimented Lamont for his handling of the pandemic, thanking him for stressing safe health practices, such as masking and social distancing, over shutting down construction projects.

“You did a phenomenal job, and I really mean that,” said Michael Rosario, the business manager of Local 777, a plumbers and pipefitters union based in Meriden.

But he pivoted to a complaint about the trades originally being included in a licensing reciprocity bill favored by the administration. It lessens the red tape for someone in a licensed profession going to work in Connecticut, something Lamont favors.

Rosario said that is fine for a lot of professions, but not in building trades where safety is paramount and codes can vary. He acknowledged a desire to protect unionized labor from being undercut. 

“I know there’s some people talking that there’s a shortage of workers. And we got to make it easier for plumbers and electricians to come in Connecticut,” Rosario said. “And that is partially true — there is a shortage for people that make substandard wages and don’t have health care and don’t have pensions.”

The reciprocity bill passed, but only after the trades were exempted. Lamont promised he would consult with Brothers, the new council president, when the issue inevitably arises again.

“I’m going to work right here with Keith to make sure whatever we do, we do it right, we do it in collaboration, we do it together,” Lamont said. “I don’t want fly-by-night, out-of-state people to come in taking Connecticut jobs from Connecticut people.”

But Lamont also offered a gentle push back, saying he must be assured of a sufficient work force.

“So when the money starts coming in, the projects start in a year or two, we’re ready to hit the ground.”

City officially launches major renovations of Osgood Park

Jeniece Roman

NEW BRITAIN- City officials visited Osgood Park for a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday, officially launching plans for extensive renovations to the park. 

Parks & Recreation Director Erik Barbieri, Mayor Erin Stewart, and families from the New Britain Police Athletic League (PAL) visited the park before the start of renovations. The project was made possible by funding allocated by the Common Council from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. The estimated cost of the project is $8.85 million and will be completed in two phases.

“From all the neighborhoods in town we saw that people wanted a safe space where they could spend time with their friends or family outside,” Stewart said. “That is a lot of money but something we are incredibly grateful for. Safe and updated parks are crucial to the well being of a community and they provide benefits to residents on many different levels.”

Stewart said renovations to the park have been an ongoing conversation for years. Since it originally opened in 1960, the park has only undergone minor renovations. In 2019, SMRT Architects and Engineers developed a Masterplan for renovations to Osgood Park, but only recently has funding been made available for a project of this scale. 

“This is a long time in the making and it's made possible by the funding that we received by the federal government as a response to COVID,” Stewart told the Herald. “This area of town was negatively impacted by the virus because there's a great amount of children and families that live in the neighborhood.”  

Once renovations are complete, the park will include a new multi-sport synthetic turf field, grass soccer field, a splash pad, basketball court, a new playground, an outdoor classroom, a classroom, lighting and new security cameras. Stewart estimated the project will be completed in 18 months. Stewart said the bidding for the construction project will begin in the upcoming weeks.

Resident Brytni Craft attended the ceremony with her son Jayce,6, who is on a local athletic team. Craft said the renovated part will be a good place for everyone, children and parents alike. She said her son is most excited for the splash pad.

“I definitely think that it's good for the kids. It's good for the community and it gives people a chance to come somewhere where it's nice and clean. A safe place to be,” Craft said. “It gives people a place to gather with their families, have little cookouts, little parties.”

Fairfield approves projects for its $24.8M American Rescue Plan money

Serenity Bishop

FAIRFIELD — New sidewalks, police technology, improvements at the senior center and playground upgrades will all go forward thanks to the recent allocation under the American Rescue Plan.

Officials recently approved a list of projects as well as how the $24.8 million will be dispersed. The six main focus areas are mental health and social services; economic development; public safety; environment; quality of life; and town modernization and infrastructure. The biggest lump sum is going to the Fairfield Police Department in the amount of $3.7 million.

“I am thankful for the funding so that the town can more quickly address some critical needs that, for the most part, had been previously planned but needed more funding in order to move forward,” Fairfield Selectmen Thomas Flynn said.

“The town has approximately $300 million in capital and infrastructure needs over the next decade or so and this funding will assist in alleviating some of the direct impact to local taxpayers,” he added.

Flynn said First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick and her administration came up with the initial listing based on the town’s capital plan, the new mandates that had come through from federal and state government, as well as projects that were defined as “shovel ready” by the funding’s requirements.

These plans were shared with the public in July and then vetted by several of the town’s boards. The town also sought residents’ input.

“I understand it was very important to the First Selectwoman that the funds be utilized in such a manner that all segments of our citizens would benefit and not just specific groups,” Flynn said.

Fairfield officials sought to enhance their public safety section by approving the Fairfield Police Department’s $3.7 million training and equipment bundle from Axon Technologies. The bundle includes hardware, software, accessories, training programs, customer support, equipment refreshes, body cameras, dashboard cameras and stun guns over a 10-year period.

The town has set aside a total of $700,000 to provide residents help in the focus of mental health and social services. A total of $250,000 will be used for the town’s COVID-19 Recovery Fund and $150,000 each will be given to Operation Hope, Lifebridge Community Services and The Child and Family Guidance Center.

More than a dozen other projects round out the list, including $500,000 to continue the fire house renovation, $700,000 for sidewalks, $25,000 for the Burr Historical Gardens, $963,000 for renovations and upgrades at playgrounds as well as $940,000 to replace the town fleet with electric and hybrid vehicles and add charging stations.

About $850,000 would go to Bigelow Center updates and another $100,000 for a deck or patio at the senior center.

The list also includes $450,000 for a stage and public restrooms at the Fairfield Museum, $1 million to fix the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system at the schools,$400,000 for hybrid meeting technology, $2.4 million for the town and schools’ fiber optic network, $1 million for traffic lights and $3 million for paving.

Flynn said in large part, most of the feedback that the town received from the public on the proposed projects was generally positive.

“The emails and comments that I have received have been supportive of individual projects,” Flynn said. “Not too many individuals have contacted me voicing concern with projects, though I am sure reasonable people can disagree with specific projects within such a list.”

Flynn said the funding for these projects are required to be dispersed within a defined timeline by 2024.

Developer wants series of apartment buildings, fresh businesses between Route 4 and Farmington River in Farmington

Don Stacom

A West Hartford developer is proposing to build 190 apartments and refurbish commercial space along a stretch of Farmington Avenue in Farmington.

The plan involves rehabilitating a nearly century-old grain storage building alongside the Big Bird Bridge, and constructing more than a half-dozen new residential buildings on the mostly wooded property.

The nearly-25 acre site is wedged between Farmington Avenue and the Farmington River, and Kaoud Real Estate Development LLC will need a wetlands permit. The local wetlands commission will review the proposal at a hearing Wednesday at 7 p.m.; the session will be in person at town hall and also online at us02web.zoom.us/j/89789302343.

The Planning and Zoning commission supported the concept last year when it granted a zone change to encourage mixed-use development there.

Without that change, “the most likely future development would be strip retail development taking advantage of the Route 4 frontage. This would not be the ideal development of the parcel,” planners wrote.

“Perhaps the most unique attribute is the former McCallum grain storage building,” they wrote. “There are two buildings totaling 40,000 square feet. One building is four stories with impressive views. The buildings are almost completely vacant and ripe for redevelopment.”

An auto parts business currently occupies the first floor of the main building, which was constructed in 1924 as a flour mill with nearby grain elevator.

The building still has a third-floor trestle leading to the former rail line that once ran between New Haven and Massachusetts; the path — including the so-called Big Bird Bridge — is now a popular rail trail. West of the Big Bird, the trail continues over a far longer bridge across the river.

Kaoud’s plan is to rehabilitate that building and a vacant one nearby for commercial and possibly residential use. The developer also envisions a pool, clubhouse, grill and barbecue area for residents, along with a bocce court and playground.

The site stretches south from Farmington Avenue and east from the rail trail, and toward the western end, wraps around the back of the Gallery Salon. Kaoud plans a series of three-story apartment buildings with parking beneath them.

The project would include a bike path linking to the adjacent Farmington Canal Heritage Trail.

The property also is a little less than a mile from Monteith Drive; the town is interested in extending Monteith from town hall across Route 4 and on to New Britain Avenue. That would add a bridge over the Farmington River, an addition many town officials believe is needed to alleviate traffic.

Developer seeks approval for a 245-car parking lot in Waterbury

Michael Puffer

WATERBURY — A developer planning an “eCommerce” fulfillment and distribution facility in the city’s East End is seeking city permission for a 245-car overflow parking lot.

Securing permission for that lot, city officials say, is the last big hurtle before FSI Acquisitions, the limited liability company behind the project, completes land acquisitions and begins construction.

Mayor Neil M. O’Leary, last year, said the center would be a $25 million investment, resulting in about 200 new jobs.

“They have a pretty aggressive plan once they close with the board,” City Economic Development Director Joseph McGrath said Tuesday. “This is the last major step. We are on the one-inch line. We want to get this thing over.”

FSI is seeking a special permit for the parking lot from the city’s Zoning Commission, which is scheduled to open a public hearing on the request during a meeting beginning at 7 p.m. tonight. That meeting will be conducted via the Zoom online video conferencing application.

Phil DiGennaro, the Trumbull-based developer behind FSI Acquisitions, said Tuesday he cannot comment while the application is pending.

DiGennaro has, in the past, declined to say what company would occupy the planned 90,000-square-foot distribution center. He has, however, helped Amazon build a distribution center in Danbury, according to past press releases and media reports.

In Monroe, DiGennaro and FSI Acquisitions have applied to build a depot for 400 delivery vans serving an unnamed online retailer, according to The Monroe Sun. Attorney John Knuff told Monroe officials the vans would perform deliveries for the unnamed company’s new facility in Trumbull, according to the Sun.

Amazon also is building a distribution center in Trumbull, according to published reports.

Knuff also represents FSI in Waterbury, where the limited liability company is currently seeking a special permit to allow its parking lot at 3801 East Main St., next to an urgent care center operated by Trinity Health of New England.

The parking area would see limited use at peak retail seasons such as “Black Friday” and other major holidays, according to the application. The area would be fenced and a small security checkpoint constructed.

The property is owned by former city mayor Michael Jarjura and his business partner, Robert LaFlamme. Reached Monday, Jarjura said the development could nearly fill the property. Any proceeds would not exceed the taxes paid on the property over the years, Jarjura said.

FSI Acquisitions plans to build the distribution center on an 18-acre site at 3800 East Main St., directly across from the Jarjura-LaFlamme property.

Other matters on the Zoning Commission’s agenda Wednesday include:

A zoning change from residential to commercial for a quarter-acre lot between Meriden Road and Beth Lane just east of Dada Grocery. City Planner Robert Nerney said applicant Jacqueline Hogan is seeking to build a restaurant. Hogan owns an adjacent property that is already zoned for commercial use, Nerney said.

A special permit to allow a variety store at 506 West Main St. to sell alcohol.

A special permit to allow “group living” in a building at 74 Buckingham St. Formerly a family and child counseling center, the building sold to Regina Daniels for $308,450 on April 20. Daniels now seeks to use it as a residential care home for no more than eight clients, Nerney said.

A special permit allowing a recycling business to locate at 200 Chase River Road.

Interested residents can comment during the public speaking portion of the meeting via teleconference by dialing 646-876-9923, entering meeting number 930 0442 2183 and using password 5746817.

The public can listen to proceedings via the teleconference or watch online by clicking through a Zoom link through the city’s website, waterburyct.org. Viewers can scroll down to the “Upcoming Meetings” section, then click on the Sept. 22 Zoning Commission tab, and follow prompts to the Zoom link.