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DISCRIMINATION ON TURNER ROAD?

 

December 1991:           Nitrates discovered in Ward Avenue water well

 

Dec 91 - Feb 92:           Testing of various wells in upper Turner Road and Ward Avenue area.  Results indicated 53% (26/49) nitrate contaminated wells.

 

Mar 92 - May 92:           Testing expanded into lower Turner Road and Honeyman Avenue area.  Results show 6% (3/53) contamination in this area.

 

July 16 1992:                 Town Council deems nitrate problem is insignificant and votes NOT to install water

 

                                      NOTE: all previous water tests are negative regarding salt contamination

 

Summer 1999:               Columbia Road home owner digs 3 wells contaminated by salt

 

Nov-Dec 1999:           DEM conducts water testing for salt contamination in upper Turner Road area.  Results in two additional wells exhibiting  elevated salt contamination

 

February 9, 2000:           DEM charges Town for failure to properly protect winter salt pile and stating that the salt stored at the Town garage is causing groundwater contamination as well as surface water contamination.

 

March 30, 2000:           DEM informs Town that it intents to issue a Notice of Violation if it does not comply within 14 days to the previously issued Notice of Intent to Enforce

 

                                      NOTE: no other communication between DEM and Town of Middletown on this matter was uncovered in the Public Records request.

 

July 17, 2000:                Town Council authorizes water installation for Columbia Road

 

                                      NOTE: actual water installation occurs along longer route via Honeyman Avenue.

 

January 7, 2002:           Council discussion centered on the ability of the Town to include water in the Wabasso Terrace project. The Town Administrator noted that water would require an additional $42,000. Council President Kehew and Councillor Flynn suggested other methods of funding - homeowners could pay for it, the Town could finance it much as it does for sewer construction.

 

January 24, 2002:           Town Council authorizes transfer of funds to pay for water installation at Wabasso Terrace

 

January 24, 2002:           Town Council authorizes construction of Wabasso Terrace project. Vaillancourt recuses due to possible conflict of interest

 

August 19, 2002:           Town Council authorizes Turner Road Construction project (sewer, drainage, and road, NO WATER)

 

October 21, 2002:           Residents ask Town Council why road being dug and sewer installed but no water installation.  Council agrees that it makes no sense to dig up the road for sewer and not do water at the same time and adds that if the bond passes, that will be possible; if not, there's a problem.  Council President Kehew then added that, if the bond fails, Turner Road residents must petition the Council for water line installation at Town expense or enabling legislation not requiring a bond to establish a water district.

 

November 5, 2002:           Water Bond fails

 

November 6, 2003:           Twenty-three residents submit petition to Council seeking water installation during road construction project

 

November 7, 2003:           Five additional residents submit petition to Council seeking water installation during road construction project

 

December 2, 2002:           Town Solicitor Vernon Gorton cautioned the Council that charging one area of Town for a certain service and not another could create problems.  He believes, however, that a mechanism can be set up, probably via enabling legislation authorizing the Town to charge residents for municipally installed water line.  On motion of Councillor Vaillancourt, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to authorize amending the Turner Road road and sewer project contract to include the installation of a water line.

 

Shortly after:                  Water pipes order and placed by side of road

 

January 6, 2003:           Town Council authorizes the seeking of enabling legislation to charge residents for water line installation

 

January 21, 2003:           Enabling legislation introduced in House

January 28, 2003:           House Committee Hearing - Continued

January 28, 2003:           Enabling legislation introduced in Senate

February 11, 2003:           Senate Committee Hearing - Held for further study

March 25, 2003:           Senate Committee Hearing - Held for further study

May 20, 2003:               Senate Committee Hearing -  Committee recommends passage

May 28, 2003:               Passed by full Senate – Sent to House

June 11, 2003:               House Committee Hearing - Committee recommends passage

June 30, 2003:               Passed by full House – Sent to Governor

 

Days Later:        Water pipes installed in ground

 

July 17, 2003:                State Enabling Legislation becomes Law without Governor’s signature

 

July 21, 2003:                Town adopts ordinance per State Enabling Legislation requiring residents to pay for water installation

 

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