House Republican Press Release

January 29, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Perillo Opposes Shelton Canal Proposal

HARTFORD- State Representative Jason Perillo (R-113) today announced his opposition to the permit application of McCallum Enterprises, who are proposing to fill a 2.5 acre portion of the Shelton Canal.  Perillo also sent a letter registering his opposition with the Regulatory Office of the New England District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  McCallum has an application before the Army Corps of Engineers to “make the parcel more marketable for resale and future development purposes.”

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved McCallum’s bid to fill a portion of the canal last May.

“Our community has invested significant resources in the important revitalization of our downtown and we have made considerable progress in achieving initial goals,” wrote Perillo. “However, this proposal is harmful to our short-and long-term plans which include riverfront recapture, brownfields redevelopment and remediation, historic preservation, environmental resource conservation, and the protection of important habitats.  Approval of this application would be detrimental to all ongoing efforts to improve our valued Housatonic Riverfront and revitalization of our downtown.”

Perillo also requested that a public hearing be held in Shelton to allow residents to register their firm disagreement with the proposal.