House Republican Press Release

June 9, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Gov. Rell, Rep. Piscopo: $332,000 Approved for Water Main Extension in Harwinton

The State Bond Commission today approved a $332,000 grant to help finance the extension of a water main in Harwinton to a senior housing complex, town hall and the library, Governor M. Jodi Rell and state Representative John E. Piscopo, R-76^th District, announced today.

The Bond Commission approved the grant, which is provided through the state’s Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP), at its monthly meeting today.

“This project will benefit citizens for years to come,” said Governor Rell. “Making funding available for projects like this is an excellent illustration of the strong partnership between the state and our local governments. I am pleased that we can make these monies available.”

“In 2002, I helped secure a $3.25 million grant to construct a water main extension at a former Superfund site on the border of Burlington and Harwinton to provide a permanent supply of potable water to residential properties in the area whose wells were threatened with serious underground water contamination,” Representative Piscopo said. “This grant will enable that water line to be extended to provide a consistent supply of safe water for residents of the senior housing complex and for visitors and staff at Town Hall and the library. The senior housing complex needs this water line and I have been working with residents and local officials to obtain funding for it for some time. I’m very pleased that it finally has gone through. The governor has delivered for the people of Harwinton.”

The project was necessitated in part by the recent failure of a water pipe at the low-income senior housing complex, where water quality has been marginal for some time.