House Republican Press Release

October 2, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

‘STEAP’ Funding For Bolton Announced

Governor M. Jodi Rell announced today that $200,000 in new state funding will soon be available to Bolton to make improvements to sewers surrounding Bolton Lake and to plan for future smart growth.  The funding comes from the state’s Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) that is to be approved at the next meeting of the State Bond Commission.

           “Bolton is at a unique crossroads,” Governor Rell said.  “We cannot let towns like Bolton lose their rural character, but we recognize the need to be business-friendly.  We have a golden opportunity here in Bolton to invest smartly: to set the stage for future development in an area where there is infrastructure to support that development.

“The installation of the sewer line along Route 44 will accomplish two major goals.  First, it will address significant public health and water quality issues around Lower and Middle Bolton Lakes.  Second, the sewer line will result in increased property values and offer different options for commercial properties located on Route 44.

“All across the state, we are concentrating on local opportunities for thoughtful, well-planned economic growth.  That means taking into account land-use, economic development and transportation issues all at the same time.  It means reviewing current zoning regulations and it means making streets more pedestrian and bicycle-friendly.  It takes hard work and it requires a long-term view of what a community should look like.  I thank Rep. Pam Sawyer for her leadership in fighting for this funding.”

Bolton is under a consent order from the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection to install the sewer line to alleviate failures and address water quality issues around Lower and Middle Bolton Lakes.  These funds will be used as a portion of the town's $1.6 million share of costs associated with the installation of sewers along Route 44 from Manchester through Bolton into Vernon.  The town was previously awarded $150,000 in fiscal year 2006 STEAP funds for the land use/transportation planning project that is also associated with the economic development component of this project.

“With these funds, we are providing Bolton with a jumpstart toward our future goals,” said State Representative Pamela Sawyer.  “We want to maximize our economic growth potential while preserving our rural heritage.  We have a growing population and need to address issues such as housing and traffic flow.  Governor Rell understands our future needs and she is providing us with the means to plan adequately for them.”

A total of $20 million has been authorized for more than 100 small towns under the STEAP program this fiscal year.  The Bond Commission will meet Friday, October 6, at 10:30 a.m. in the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.