House Republican Press Release

April 27, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

REPRESENTATIVE MINER: HOUSE APPROVES LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS LITCHFIELD COUNTY WATER ISSUES

Creation Of Regional Authority Would Help Ensure Water Quality

On Wednesday, April 26, The House of Representatives unanimously approved legislation introduced by State Rep. Craig Miner, R-66th, that would address public water issues in Litchfield County. House Bill 5470 now moves to the State Senate for consideration.

An amendment to HB 5470 would to allow the towns of Burlington, Goshen, Harwinton, Litchfield, New Hartford, Norfolk and the City of Torrington to purchase the Torrington Water Co.  It would then be under control of a regional water authority, entitled the Litchfield Hills Regional Water District. The district would have a representative review board consisting of consist of four members from Torrington and one member from other towns.

“This provides the region with an opportunity to maintain water quality and protect important land long into the future,” said Rep. Miner. “It is recognition of the hard work of many, many volunteers who hammered out the framework for what will become the water authority’s legislative body.”

Representative Miner represents the towns of Bethlehem, Litchfield, Morris, Warren and Woodbury in the General Assembly.