Catching up with First Selectwoman Lizz Milardo
February update
By Meghan Peterson, PhD
Haddam-KillingworthNow recently caught up with First Selectwoman Milardo on various matters throughout Town.
MP: Tylerville Water status?
LM: Coast Line Construction has begun laying the pipes for the water mains. The company has done this work on Eagle Landing, South Side Bluff, Brookes Court and Camp Bethel Road. There are a few easements from property owners the company is in the process of obtaining. We are making great progress and are moving right along. There are some areas that Coastline cannot move into quite yet, as they have to wait for the greenlight from DOT once the asphalt plant opens for the spring season again, as some roads require digging up. Finally, we are running into an issue at Little Meadow. and Coastline is stuck in terms of not being to lay the pipe down there, due to two property owners who are concerned that the Town is seeking to take over Little Meadow Road and make it a town road. However, that the Town has NO interest in doing that. As it stands, the Town has difficulty maintaining over100 miles of road we maintain already. This hold-up will affect construction of the main in that area, possibly delaying the work until the prime summer season, when more people come to Haddam, and this disruption will impact more people. Moreover, the ordinance time frame in which property owners could file an application with the State Department of Public Health to opt out of the water main is over.
Photo: First Selectwoman Milardo helps breaks ground for Tylerville Water pipeline construction. From l to r: Shannon Pociu, of the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Vicky Carrier of the state Department of Public Health (DPH), Laurie Mathieu of DPH, Eric McPhee of Deep, First Selectwoman Lizz Milardo, Scott Martinson, Director of Health of Connecticut River Area Health District, Dan Lesnieski of CT Water. Photo by Robin Munster.
MP: Update on Cell Phone Tower(s) coming to Town?
LM: The carrier is currently reviewing contracts to place two towers in the Tylerville area of Haddam.
MP: Update on road work throughout Town?
LM: The pattern of horrible rains and wetness from 2018 seems to be sticking with us into the new year, but the crews are ready to continue road work as soon as the weather allows. We are calculating how much of the road bond has been used to determine what other roads can be done this upcoming season based on the road study conducted last year. In addition, I am happy to report that Haddam has received a $2.9 Million grant ($2,938,600) for roadway reconstruction. The Town had applied for this Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program grant (LOTCIP) via the Lower Connecticut River Valley COG (Council of Governments). Gregory M. Dorosh, Manager of Highway Design in the Bureau of Engineering and Construction of the State Department of Transportation (DOT) notified me of the good news at the end of December. Moreover, this is funding that the State has committed to us. In other words, regardless of what occurs with the State budget, this grant mony cannot be rescinded. Finally, we received word that Haddam is also the recipient of a separate grant of $400K, the “Community Connectivity Grant” (through the state DOT), which will help cover the costs of repairing sidewalks on Route 154 near Brainerd Memorial Library.
MP: What about work on the Dublin Hill Bridge?
LM: Arborio will begin work on the bridge within the next month or so. This was the same company which built the beautiful bridge in Higganum Center. The Dublin Hill Bridge will also feature an arch design. They are in the process of coordinating work details with the DOT. A detour has already been planned in conjunction with all public safety/emergency entities in Town. We have all of our ducks in a row and are set to go as soon as the weather allows.
MP: How is budget season going?
LM: Budget season is in full swing. The BOS has finished drawing up its operating budget and it has been forwarded to the Board of Finance (BOF). The BOF is in the process of finalizing the capital budget; this will be completed by the end of February.
MP: What are your thoughts on the HES closure, the Save HES movement and other related matters?
LM: Our recent BOS meetings have been organized to encourage public comment on the subject, yielding hours of input by residents. The BOS has listened carefully to the concerns of the Friends of HES and other residents which the folks have shared with us. While I am very sympathetic to the opinions and concerns shared by our residents, Haddam has no legal jurisdiction over the closure. Haddam Elementary is owned by RSD17. This is a decision that the Regional School District has made and one over which the Town has no control. I am not aware of any change in the direction by the District. Assuming that the RSD is going ahead with its plan, we as a town need to come together and focus on the future of Higganum Center and work together to make the very best out of this situation that we can. To that end, it is my belief and goal that the Town would like to retain Swan Hill on the HES property for enjoyment by the people of Haddam.
MP: Finally, you met with the new Governor, Ned Lamont, recently. How did that go?
LM: We had a great visit with Governor Lamont. I spoke with the Governor for more than 30 minutes and shared with him my concerns on a range of issues including: Scovil Mill; financial oversight and checks & balances with the Board of Finance in terms of the Regional School District and their budget; pursuing more opportunities for tourism in Haddam such as utilizing Eagle Landing State Park; concerns about where we send our waste to Hartford; considering the Lower Connecticut River Valley COG as a “county” in order to secure federal dollars (not just state dollars which is what has always been done) for road work in Haddam; and infrastructure in Higganum Center. It was an extremely productive meeting. There is so much in store for Haddam. Let us continue to work together to make this Town that we love and cherish the best that it can be.
