Rell Cuts Bonding, Norwalk Loses

Norwalk’s various institutions will be hit by bonding that Rell is proposing to stop. So does Stamford. Bond issuances are solely at the discretion of the Governor.

Norwalk:

  • Grant-in-aid to the Norwalk River Rowing Association, Incorporated, for construction of a boathouse
    • $250k
  • Grant-in-aid to the city of Norwalk for improvements in the flood control system
    • $3,005,000
  • Grant-in-aid to the city of Norwalk for harbor dredging
    • $1,000,000
  • Grant-in-aid to the Norwalk Seaport Association for infrastructure renewal projects
    • $250k
  • Grant-in-aid to the city of Norwalk for the Maritime Aquarium to defray financial obligations incurred for construction of the Environmental Education Center
    • $400k
  • Grant-in-aid to Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk for expansion of the facility
    • $400k
  • Grant-in-aid to the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum in Norwalk for infrastructure renewal projects
    • $1,000,000
  • Grants-in-aid to municipalities and organizations that are exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, for cultural and entertainment-related economic development projects, including projects at museums, provided (C) $ 625,000 shall be made available to the town of Norwalk for the Norwalk Maritime Museum
  • Grants-in-aid to municipalities and organizations that are exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, for cultural and entertainment-related economic development projects, including projects at museums, not exceeding $ 4,000,000, provided $ 625,000 shall be made available to the town of Norwalk for the Norwalk Maritime Museum
  • Grant-in-aid to the Norwalk Transit District for renovations, upgrades, technology improvement, lighting and a new security system related to pulse point safety and security enhancements
    • $153k
  • Grants-in-aid for hospital-based emergency service facilities, provided (E) up to $ 878,050 shall be made available to Norwalk Hospital
  • Grant-in-aid to the Norwalk Transit District, for construction of a bus depot
    • $250k

Darien

  • Grant-in-aid to the Darien Arts Center for infrastructure renewal projects
    • $50k

Westport

  • Grant-in-aid to the town of Westport for new construction at the Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts
    • $1,000,000
  • Grant-in-aid to the Westport Historical Society for retirement of outstanding debt
    • $600k
  • Grant-in-aid to the Saugatuck Senior Cooperative inWestport for roof replacement
    • $250k

Greenwich

  • Grant-in-aid to the town of Greenwich for renovation of existing, or construction of new, exhibition areas, teaching spaces and the science gallery at the Bruce Museum
    • $750,000

Bridgeport

  • Grant-in-aid to the city of Bridgeport, for purchase and installation of a public safety video surveillance system
    • $300k
  • Grant-in-aid to the Barnum Museum Foundation, Inc. for renovations at the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport
    • $1.250,000
  • Grant-in-aid to Bridgeport for the design and construction of the Congress Street Bridge
    • $10,000,000
  • Grants-in-aid to municipalities and organizations that are exempt from taxation under Section
  • 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, for cultural and entertainment-related economic development projects, including projects at museums, provided (A) $ 1,000,000 shall be made available for the Bridgeport Downtown Cabaret
  • Grant-in-aid to the city of Bridgeport, for revitalization of the Hollow Neighborhood
    • $500,000
  • Grant-in-aid to the city of Bridgeport, for improvements to the Palace Theater
    • $250,000
  • Grant-in-aid to the Connecticut Zoological Society for the planning and development of the Andes Adventure Exhibit at the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport
    • $800,000
  • Grant-in-aid to Bridgeport for a feasibility study for the Congress Street Plaza urban renewal area in Bridgeport
    • $250k
  • Grant-in-aid to the city of Bridgeport for planning and implementation of the Upper Reservoir Avenue Corridor Revitalization Initiative Project
    • $250k
  • Grant-in-aid to the Fairfield County Housing Partnership for land acquisition, design, development and construction of an independent living facility in Bridgeport
    • $750k
  • Grant-in-aid to the city of Bridgeport for the Madison Avenue Gateway Revitalization streetscape project
    • $2,500,000
  • Grant-in-aid to the city of Bridgeport for the Black Rock Gateway project
    • $1,000,000
  • Grant-in-aid to the city of Bridgeport for purchase of a water taxi, construction of docks and construction of the Pleasure Beach retractable pedestrian bridge
    • $3,000,000
  • Grant-in-aid to the city of Bridgeport for the design and construction of the Congress Street Bridge
    • $5,000,000
  • Grant-in-aid to the Bridgeport Port Authority for improvements to the Derecktor Shipyard, including remediation, dredging, bulkheading and construction of Phase 2 of the Derecktor Shipyard Economic
    • $1,750,000
  • Grant-in-aid to the city of Bridgeport for improvements to Bluefish Stadium
    • 400,000
  • Grant-in-aid to the city of Bridgeport for repair and improvements on State Road 59 between the North Avenue and Capitol Avenue intersections, including median and sidewalk renovations
    • $1,000,000
  • Grant-in-aid to the city of Bridgeport for the Black Rock Gateway project
    • $1,000,000
  • Grant-in-aid to the City of Bridgeport for the remediation of the waterfront including any predevelopment costs
    • $10,000,000
  • Grant-in-aid to the city of Bridgeport, for day care, a community room and a playground at West End School
    • $350k
  • Grant-in-aid to Action for Bridgeport Community, Inc. for acquisition and renovation of property for an early learning center
    • $1,200,000
  • Feasibility study for establishment of an education center in the city of Bridgeport
    • $250k

Fairfield

  • Grant-in-aid to the Fairfield Theatre Company, for purchase and installation of a sprinkler system
    • $100k
  • Grant-in-aid to the town of Fairfield for repair and improvements on State Road 59 between the North Avenue and Capitol Avenue intersections, including median and sidewalk renovations
    • $850,000

Stamford

  • Grant-in-aid to the city of Stamford, for radio systems to improve police and fire department communications
    • $500k
  • Grant-in-aid to the city of Stamford, for park restoration and infrastructure improvements
    • $500k
  • Grant-in-aid to the city of Stamford, for the Holly Pond Tidal Restoration project
    • $750k
  • Grant-in-aid to the city of Stamford, for improvements to the playgrounds and athletic fields at Springdale School
    • $100k
  • Grant-in-aid to the city of Stamford, for purchase by the Stamford Health Department of a mobile medical unit for the uninsured and elderly
    • $250k
  • Grant-in-aid to the Stamford Hospital Foundation for purchase of a digital mobile mammography unit
    • $500k
  • Grant-in-aid to the city of Stamford, for architectural, engineering and other site preparation services and costs for the Hunt Center for Pre-K Education in Stamford
    • $500k
  • Grant-in-aid to the Child Guidance Center of Southern Connecticut in Stamford for expansion
    • $500k

One of the striking things about this list is how much state aide goes to Bridgeport versus the rest of Fairfield County. Then again, look at the overall bonding list and see the distribution overall. WTNH is reporting that these bonding projects were approved as far back as 2007.

The odd thing is that much of these bonds whether you agree that the state should incur debt or not, go to rebuilding or building something. In short, the types of jobs that spur the economic activity in the state of Connecticut. SOme of which I bet has to do with matching funds from federal grants. Yet here is Rell halting the funding for projects that would put many people to work. It’ll be interesting to see what the spin in all this is beyond the legislature, when the cities who are most affected now have to cough up money for projects.

A hat tip to SecondhandRose for pointing out the WTNH story that led to the list.

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/NwlkSpectator NwlkSpectator

    Grant-in-aid to Bridgeport for the design and construction of the Congress Street Bridge * $10,000,000

    This bridge has been out of commission for almost 10 years now. There were Federal funds earmarked for it, but when the new Congress came in back in 2007, earmarked funds were dissolved back into the general fund. This is the second or third time that Bridgeporth has come within a whisker of actually having the money to start working on that bridge.

    People have been begging the Governor to call the Bond Board to approve these requests for years now. It's one thing to bond for something that your town doesn't need, but another for infrastructure. Had they done this back in 2007, the project could have been nearing completion. If and when this project comes around for funding again….if and when….the costs will be much higher. It's such a shame.

    # Grant-in-aid to the city of Norwalk for harbor dredging * $1,000,000

    As for Norwalk…it figures the Harbor dredging funding is still in a holding pattern. Dredging the harbor isn't something that happened over night. As was said at the recent Council meeting when the Harbor Management Master Plan was approved, the dredging and the development of the plan spanned the course of a decade and three chairmen, all of whom had hair when the two projects started.

    # Grant-in-aid to the city of Norwalk for improvements in the flood control system * $3,005,000

    For all you out there that repeatedly bailed out your basements during the monsoons two years ago, here's your tax money being held hostage. Don't blame the City for this. Everyone has been waiting, and waiting, and waiting for the Bond Board to do their thing.

    The streetscapes and educational centers are a "nice" idea, but the Bridgeport Bridge and the Norwalk Harbor are necessities of life. The Norwalk Flood Control plans are safety issues. These items shouldn't have been delayed so long. This is a real shame and the responsibility for it rests solely in Hartford.

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/SecondhandRose SecondhandRose

    Excuse me, but why should the State be responsible for homeowners' flooded basements? This particular assumption has always confounded me.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/NwlkSpectator NwlkSpectator

      Redoing the stormwater drainage system to prevent the type of flooding the City experienced a few years ago is going to cost millions. In order to do the project, the City needs the State's approval to go for bonding to get the money. No meeting, no approval; no approval, no funding.

      Also the State has something called a "Grant in Aid" program where our taxpayer dollars are used to help municipalities handle the cost of these massive project. Brien McMahon and Norwalk High School renovations come to mind, where the State will pick up a percentage of the project. Depending on the agreement, the State may forward the balance of the money but withhold the final amount until the completed project is inspected by them, or they may, in the case of schools, only pay for certain aspects of the project. The word "convoluted" come to mind.

      Either way, the State ain't planning on paying out any money to the cities any time soon. What can I say?

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/OldTimer11 OldTimer11

    Rose:
    The City is responsible for maintaining storm drain systems. The flooded basements in question are largely because of inadequate, poorly maintained storm drains. If one basement on a street leaks water everytime it rains, that is the homeowner's problem. When the street fllods and every house on the street is flooded, then the City needs to fix the system. There isn't much a homeowner can do when the water is coming in from the the street.. The City, in years past , was pretty casual about storm drain systems put in by developers. Some of them were never adequate and have gotten worse.

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/SecondhandRose SecondhandRose

    Okay, so my next question is, where is this so-called storm drain system flooding taking place? It only seems to be remarked upon when storms of immense proportions happen to hit, something like what, maybe once every 10 years or so? And the government should be expected to pay for this? These areas have probably been flooding in these situations for decades, if the homeowner purchased their home in these areas fully aware of the 10-year-cycle (or whatever) flooding situation, why should they expect the government to pick up the tab when the flooding occurs? Why isn't the onus on the person who purchased the house knowing that flooding takes place there, regardless of when and how often?

    This is like saying that people who own houses built along the Norwalk River IN the floodplain (not just alongside the floodplain) can expect the government to reimburse them for their homes when the next 100-year flood takes place like it did in 1955 (and it will; it's just a matter of time). It just seems ridiculous to me. If you know there was flooding when you bought the house, you should expect both the flooding and the expenses due to the flooding and not expect the government to bail you out of your stupidity.

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/OldTimer11 OldTimer11

    There are several neighborhoods where flooding is a problem. Some because developers were allowed to connect to storm drains designed for small areas with new systems for other areas much further away without making the original old systems bigger. Too much rain water trying to go through too small a pipe causes flooding. It is only a problem a couple of times a year when a lot of rain falls in a short time. There is an old system in lockwood lane that now gets rain water from as far away as Stew Leonards. It works well until a real heavy rain. The City didn't always have engineers designing systems. They have known about some of these problems for years but have not been able to get the money to fix them.

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/NwlkSpectator NwlkSpectator

    The Wilton Avenue combined stormwater/sewer overflow issue has just been completed. The culvert by Fitch Street has been cleared out. Mary Austin Lane and Noah was on the list to be addressed, but I don't know if that's been completed. Lockwood Lane was listed, but that will be a major project as they have to replace the pipes with larger ones. If you need more updated information, email DPW and ask for an update, or better yet, contact Laurel Lindstrom, the new chair of the Public Works Committee. She should be able to give you an update as to what stage all the projects are at currently.

  • http://grantfoundation.net Margaret

    I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

    Margaret

    http://grantfoundation.net

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/SecondhandRose SecondhandRose

    Okay, I am thoroughly flummoxed. For over a week now I have been attempting to read a comment in this thread made by a poster named Margaret. The comment appears on the right-hand-side grey bar, but every time I click on it to read it, there is no comment by Margaret in this thread.

    It's very ANNOYING.