House Republican Press Release
May 28, 2008
Press Office: 860-240-8700
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Rep Hovey: Funds For Newtown School Offices Secured |
Legislation Passes In 2008 Session’s Final Hour
State Representative DebraLee Hovey (R-Monroe, Newtown) today noted state approval for the relocation of the Town of Newtown’s Board of Education administrative offices has been secured in legislation approved at the end of the 2008 legislative session. Rep. Hovey, who serves as Ranking Member (House Republican Leader) of the Legislature’s Education Committee worked to secure an exemption for the relocation of the offices in this year’s school construction bill.
Senate Bill 402, which received final legislative approval from the House of Representatives on Wednesday, May 7, contains $593,000 in state funding toward a $3.2 million project cost of relocating the offices to the former Fairfield Hills property.
The school administration offices will occupy about one-third of the 44,000-square foot Bridgeport Hall building, with municipal offices occupying the remaining space. The project is expected to be put out to bid shortly, with construction beginning this summer, said Rep. Hovey.
The building will be gutted. Construction is scheduled to be completed by spring 2009.
“I’m thrilled we were able to secure these funds for Newtown, as the bill passed only 15 minutes before the session ended,” said Rep. Hovey. “Allowing school offices to be housed along with town facilities on the former Fairfield Hills site is a common sense move and the state funds will help reduce the impact on local taxpayers.”
Newtown Legislative Council Chair Will Rodgers said Rep. Hovey’s efforts illustrate the value of longevity at the State Capitol.
“DebraLee provided a critical push at a critical juncture,” said Rodgers. “Her efforts went beyond just advocacy for the school project, they helped move the entire Fairfield Hills project forward. She was able to use her connections and networking ability to really help Newtown.”