House Republican Press Release

February 14, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Perillo Secures Public Hearing on Shelton Canal Proposal

HARTFORD- State Representative Jason Perillo (R-113) today announced that he received approval from the Army Corps of Engineers of his request last month that a public hearing be held in the town of Shelton concerning the permit application of McCallum Enterprises, who are proposing to fill a 2.5 acre portion of the Shelton Canal. 

Perillo sent a letter registering his opposition with the Regulatory Office of the New England District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and objecting to the fact that no hearing had taken place in the community where interested citizens could voice their objections. 

Perillo called the effort to oppose the filling of the canal a team effort.

“I have been working with the Citizens’ Advisory Group, Mayor Lauretti, Congressman Shays, and SEDC to oppose the project and bring about a public hearing so I see it as a positive step,” said Perillo.

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.

“This project threatens to jeopardize the enormous amount of work and resources that have gone into the development of our downtown in Shelton,” said Perillo.  “At the very least, the Army Corps should hear what our community has to say about this project and the threat to Shelton’s future that it poses.  I am hopeful that once they see the strong, unified opposition to this project here in Shelton, they will decide that the project should not go forward.”

No time and date has been set as of yet for the public meeting.