House Republican Press Release

August 11, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Gov. Rell, Rep. Scribner: Bond Commission to Act on $50,000 Grant for Restoration of Brookfield Barn

The State Bond Commission is expected to approve a $50,000 grant that will be used for the preservation and restoration of the historic Gurski Barn in Brookfield, Governor M. Jodi Rell and state Representative David A. Scribner, R- 107^th District, announced today. The Bond Commission will act on the funding at its monthly meeting Friday, August 18^th.

“The restoration of the Gurski Barn is an appropriate and fitting use for this grant from the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism. It will be a major step forward in the effort to preserve the rich history of Brookfield and its farming families,” said Representative Scribner, who worked with the Governor’s office and community leaders for several months to gain support for the grant. “The restoration of the Gurski Family homestead and other dwellings will help enhance and protect the town’s historic heritage for generations to come.”

“I’d like to thank Governor Rell and Senator Andrew Roraback for their support for this project, and former Selectman Judy Heise and members of the Historical Society for the long hours they put in to help secure this funding. It is cooperative efforts like these at both the state and local levels that often achieve positive results for our community,” Representative Scribner said.

“The Gurski Barn is a Brookfield treasure,” Governor Rell said.  “It represents a rapidly disappearing genre of agricultural outbuildings that dominated Brookfield's rural landscape at the turn of the 20^th century. This funding is a tribute to Connecticut’s rich history and tradition, and an investment in preservation for future generations to enjoy. The fact that this barn is listed on the state Register of Historic Places underscores its value and the need to preserve it. Restoring these notable places helps retain our character as a state.”

“I’m one of a group of citizens who are working to preserve and restore the Gurski property. We are planning to restore the barn, get the old forge back in operation for educational purposes and ensure the property is properly maintained for the enjoyment of everyone in town,” said Mrs. Heise, the temporary chairman of the Gurski Homestead Committee. “This is the first grant our group will be receiving from the state. We’re delighted that the bond commission will be acting on the funding at its meeting this month. It means we will be able proceed with the long awaited restoration of the barn in the near future.”

“I’d like to thank David for his efforts. He worked with me at the beginning of the application process and helped walk me through it. He also wrote letters recommending our project to the Commission on Culture and Tourism and was active in getting our proposal placed on the bond commission agenda,” Mrs. Heise said.

The Gurski Barn was built about 1809 as a principal outbuilding for the Frank Gurski House in Brookfield.  It is now owned by the Town of Brookfield, which has been purchasing the property in increments from the Gurski family for several years, Representative Scribner said.

Representative Scribner and Senator Roraback, R-30^th District, serve on the General Bonding Subcommittee of the General Assembly’s Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee, which oversees all state bonding proposals.

Earlier this year, Brookfield received grants totaling $500,000 for a water line extension project and $650,000 for a water pollution remediation project, Representative Scribner noted.