House Republican Press Release

May 13, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. Kalinowski & Senator Meyer Obtain Water Diversion Measure for Durham Fair

HARTFORD- State Representative Ray Kalinowski (R-100) and State Senator Edward Meyer (D-12) successfully ushered through a measure in the final hours of the 2008 session of the General Assembly that allows the Town of Durham to withdraw up to one hundred thousand gallons of water per day for three consecutive days per year without the water diversion permit that is otherwise required.

The bill will allow the water to be drawn during the popular Durham Fair, saving the town the great expense associated with providing water for the event.

“I am very pleased to have worked with Senator Meyer in an effort to assure that the Durham Fair can continue every year without the concern of additional water diversion charges,” said Kalinowski.  “The Durham Fair is a critical part of our region’s history and traditions, and this measure will help ensure its continuation and success.”

“This bill does a great job of simultaneously protecting the environment, supporting a worthy regional event, and taking a large financial burden off local taxpayers,” Sen. Meyer said. “Without this bill, it would have cost Durham about $200,000 to get a waiver permit, and that is about 5 percent of Durham’s town budget.”

The 2008 session of the Connecticut General Assembly concluded midnight on Wednesday, May 7^th.