February 29, 2008
DILLON ANNOUNCES DEP COMMISSIONER TO TOUR SINKING HOMES
Funding for homeowners still in Bond Commission limbo
Representative Patricia Dillon (D-New Haven) said Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Gina McCarthy has agreed to tour the sinking homes in the Westville section of New Haven and review the impact of widening Whalley Avenue and upriver construction.
Rep. Dillon said, "I am very pleased that Commissioner McCarthy has agreed to tour this neighborhood and see the issues firsthand, and I look forward to working with her."
The homes, located near the West River in the Beverly Hills section of Westville, are sinking and in recent years experienced cracked foundations, garage floors and basements. A grant-in-aid in the amount of $2 million for the Beverly Hills homeowners is part of the bond package approved by the legislature during September's special session of the General Assembly. But the Rell Administration has yet to release the funding.
"Once we agree on a plan to help homeowners save their homes, I hope and expect that Governor Rell will release this funding. I believe Commissioner McCarthy's visit will help us come to an agreement," Rep. Dillon said.
Funding for the Whalley Avenue project was approved at Friday's meeting of the State Bond Commission – with the blessings of DEP and the Department of Transportation (DOT) – without the environmental guarantees requested by area residents, Rep. Dillon, and Sen. Toni Harp (D-New Haven).
"The Department of Transportation has been indifferent, and sometimes hostile, to reviewing the environmental impact of their construction projects. DOT insisted that their construction methods would not cause flooding. Yet after Phase One of the Whalley Avenue widening was completed, residents needed rowboats to leave the Athenian Diner after last April's nor'easter. We all want to see the project move forward, but it is important to address the neighborhood residents' concerns. It is important for us to prevent flooding and save people's homes." Rep Dillon said.
The DEP commissioner's visit will be scheduled pursuant to a department review of a 2006 study of the area.
Representative Dillon was first elected to the General Assembly in 1984. She is an Assistant Majority Leader and serves on the Appropriations, Higher Education and Judiciary committees.