Working pg 1 3-29-12
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- Category: Past Issues
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM --- Work continues on a very complex schedule to create the new Quinebaug Regional Technology Park off Kennedy Drive.
Currently town officials are in talks with the Greater Hartford YMCA about proceeding with the survey of the 15 acres that the Y would like for its proposed regional YMCA.
According to Town Administrator Douglas M. Cutler, the next step toward the high tech park and the regional YMCA is for the Y have a survey done that delineates exactly which 15 acres it wants from the 62-plus acres Wheelabrator of Putnam intends to donate to Putnam.
Once town officials know where exactly the Y parcel will be, the town can more precisely determine where the access roads for the park will be.
Cutler said the town already knows where the access bridge will be built, directly across from the I-395 Exit #95 ramp and the more than $2 million in grants is already in the coffers for that bridge.
When the town knows where the Greater Hartford Y would like to build its regional Y, then the town can move forward with getting a survey and description done to show exactly where access roads will be.
The Y would pay for its survey. The town would pay for the survey and descriptions for not only the 62-plus acre parcel and the access bridge area, but also for the surveys and descriptions of the remainder of the regional tech park. The town will own the 62-plus acres donated from Wheelabrator. The balance of the technical park, approximately 160 acres, will be privately owned. Currently, officials are formulating the best "structure" for that private/public aspect of the regional park.
Following all those surveys and legal descriptions, the town will then be able to close the deal with Wheelabrator and take title to the 62-plus acres donated by Wheelabrator and approved last fall by town meeting voters. Then the town would sell the 15 acres to the Regional Y.
Putnam also received, late last year, $469,000 in Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grant money. $319,000 of the newest grant windfall will go toward creating access on each side of the new bridge to the new regional technology park. $50,000 will go toward a topographical survey and a lot survey. Another $75,000 will go toward roadway and utility design. $15,000 will be used for possible traffic signals and $10,000 will be used for additional archeology surveys and environmental studies.