House Republican Press Release

June 13, 2005

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. Belden Says Passage of State Law Will Mean Re-Designation of Downtown Shelton Parcels

HARTFORD - The City of Shelton and the state are a step closer to negotiating an agreement to switch designations of two downtown parcels in order to conform with the original deal that allowed for them to be decontaminated, Republican state Rep. Richard Belden of Shelton announced today.

A section of the property, contaminated in a 1975 industrial fire, will be reclassified as open space and the other as economic development as a result of passage of legislation late Wednesday night by the state Senate. Belden expressed appreciation for the approval of the legislation.

The Shelton Economic Development Commission and the state Department of Economic and Community Development will negotiate the final agreement.

"This legislation amounts to a 'clean up' of the original deal Shelton had with the state when funds were authorized to remediate the sites,'' Belden said. He credited fellow legislators state Sen. George "Doc" Gunther and state Rep. Lawrence Miller, both of Stratford, along James Orazietti and William Bures for their assistance as well as the City of Shelton administration.

Belden also thanked the Shelton Economic Development Corporation for its work.

The property remained dormant for years until state and city funds were authorized for the clean up. The bill that passed allows for the state DECD and the city development corporation to essentially "swap'' the designations. Without the legislation, the properties would have been technically out of conformance with the bond covenants.

"I'm glad to see the City of Shelton and the state come together on this issue for the betterment of all,'' Belden said.