December 10, 2008

City has long list of potential projects for Obama's public works push

Reporter Jackie Majerus wrote these stories:
Anticipating a federal stimulus package that could help fund major infrastructure projects in the city, Mayor Art Ward said he is supplying a list of "shovel ready" work to Congressman John Larson.
Ward said he worked with directors of various city departments, including parks, public works, fire, water pollution control and the water department to develop a roster of potential projects.
He asked each of them for suggestions of infrastructure needs, Ward said.
The mayor said he's sorted it out into the "shovel ready" projects that President-elect Barack Obama has called for as well as longer range ideas.
Ward said he thinks Obama's economic stimulus plan for funding shorter term projects to be finished within 12 to 18 months will serve citizens better than another $300 to $500 rebate check.
"It would be more beneficial," said Ward. "You're not only stimulating the economic with provisions for jobs and money, you're also addressing the needs of the country at the same time."
The city's efforts are proactive, said Ward, in anticipation of a call for projects.
He sent the wish list to Larson with a letter supporting the "Main Street Stimulus" package proposed by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. The initiative calls for, among other things, expanding the federal community development block grant program, which is allocated through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
If the city is able to tap into a federal stimulus program under the Obama administration, said Ward, Bristol might see some of its wish list completed sooner "than even in the best of times."
The jobs involved, said Ward, would certainly include construction work and related services and flow from there.
The effect of the recession on Bristol's economy will be more clear after the first of the year, said Ward, when the city begins to see an impact on building permits, conveyance taxes and other indicators.
A drop in casino revenue will mean a corresponding drop in Bristol's share of the state casino money, said Ward. He said the city has been receiving a little less than $1 million a year from gambling, but expects not to get that much in the coming year.

What's on the list
The city's wish list of infrastructure projects – or other ways that a federal government stimulus package could help Bristol – include ideas ranging from basics like food to possible changes at the incinerator.
In a letter to Congressman John Larson, Mayor Art Ward outlined how federal cash could help the Mum City.
First on the list was a boost in community development block grant funds, which are spread among local non-profits as both direct assistance to low and moderate income people as well as used for facility improvements such as a new roof or windows. The grants, which are distributed through the Bristol Development Authority, have also been given to home and business owners for property rehabilitation as well as used by the city for demolishing blighted buildings.
Beyond the development block grants, Ward said he supported energy block grants that he said could be used to increase efficiency in older or historic buildings but also to explore whether methane production in the landfill "would be worthwhile."
If there is federal money for wastewater infrastructure, Ward wrote, the city's "overloaded wastewater treatment facility" could be improved and sewers added in the southwestern part of town where septic failures are threatening Cedar Lake.
Ward also suggested that federal dollars would be well spent to modernize the city's schools so that state money could be spent on teaching rather than facilities.
The mayor told Larson that federal programs aimed at public safety have "significantly reduced crime" and improved law enforcement.
In addition, Ward listed local government credit assistance, job training, small business loans, the extension of unemployment benefits and food assistance could help Bristol.
Specific projects in Bristol that could be considered for federal stimulus if it comes to pass include flood control measures, bridge and road improvements, restoration and upgrades at city parks and Muzzy Field and replacing old fire hydrants and city water lines made of iron and lead.

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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ward should have been monitoring the budget situation month by month!!

What a farce!

Anonymous said...

Money from the feds will be long time coming.

But this will give Ward an excuse to continue doing nothing.

Anonymous said...

Obama is neophite pied piper and Ward is the fool rushing in. Who will pay for anyo f this?

Anonymous said...

Larson = Edgar Bergen
Ward = Charley McCarthy

Anonymous said...

hey, mrs. taylor's idio, if ward didn't put in a list of stuff, you, idiot, would be having your jaws flapping the other way.
thank goodness your training pants are "huggies" or your crap woulkd be all over the place.

Anonymous said...

obama is all talk, wake up mayor he does'nt even know where bristol,ct is. everyone who went nuts for this sweet talker will soon find out the truth. you need to shorten that list, or throw it away completely.

Anonymous said...

5:55 - what he should do is to make sure that you aren't on that "short-list", short on ideas.

Anonymous said...

And we will just print money to pay for these projects. I think not.

Hold on to your wallets folks it is going to be a long and very expensive for the taxpayer, four years.

Anonymous said...

The federal government is definitely going to print money to pay for it all! Where the hell else will it come from? Obama will have a hard time beating Bush's record for fiscal madness, but given the terrible economy, at least Obama can say he has no choice. What's Bush's excuse for doubling the national debt under his watch?

Anonymous said...

The dems have a lock on Connecticut: you won't see much money coming here.

Anonymous said...

10:33 A Democrat majority Congress, maybe?

Anonymous said...

What's Bush's excuse for doubling the national debt under his watch?

December 11, 2008 10:33 AM

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Correcting the miserable failures of the previous administration and keeping America safe come to mind .

Anonymous said...

7:16

The same thing will be happening here in Bristol.

Someone will have to clean up after Ward and the democrats, just as they have in the past.

And it will be costly!

Anonymous said...

if the local gop had the ability to attract electable people maybe they could do something other than hide in the corner and snipe at others. Then again, why would we want to persecute ourselves?

Anonymous said...

The local GOP does have the ability to attract electable people, they just don't have the desire to attract people that disagree with their personal power interests.

They, these individuals, would rather be in power, over nothing, rather than have people that don't jump to their every command.

Anonymous said...

3:03

The democrats always seem to leave a mess for someone else to clean up.

This time will be no different.

Anonymous said...

8:57PM - SO YOU AND 3:03PM SHOULD BE WORRIED 'CAUSE IF ALL OF THE TRASH IS REMOVED, NEITHER OF YOU HAS A CHANCE OF REMAINING.