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Council advances multiple brownfield actions: remediation grant approved, assessment and planning grants approved, RLF loan tabled
Summary
Torrington’s City Council on Aug. 18 approved a $6 million brownfield remediation grant application for the Stonehende sites, a $200,000 assessment request for the Zeller property and a $200,000 area-wide revitalization planning grant; a proposed $169,000 revolving loan was tabled pending specified loan terms.
The Torrington City Council on Aug. 18 took several actions on brownfield programs and related economic development financing.
Key approvals - Resolution 143-277: the council authorized the mayor to apply to the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) for round-22 brownfield remediation and limited assessment funding in the amount of $6,000,000 for the Stonehende property remediation project (covering 105 Summer Street and 200 Litchfield Street). The council voted in favor. - Resolution (round 22 assessment): the council authorized applying for a $200,000 municipal brownfield assessment grant for the Zeller property at 52 Norwood Street; motion carried. - Resolution 143-278: the council authorized the mayor to apply for a round-22 Brownfield Area-Wide Revitalization (BARR) planning grant — labeled “Activate Main Street” — for $200,000, with a required city commitment of $20,000 from the Brownfield Capital Projects Fund; motion carried.
Loan request tabled - The council considered authorizing the mayor to accept a Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) application and enter into an RLF contract with Safari Properties LLC for up to $169,000 to complete Vinnie’s Restaurant brownfield work. Council members asked for specific loan terms (interest rate and repayment length). A motion to table and request loan terms passed; the item will return once the city provides specific terms.
Contamination, ownership and legal context Economic development staff and corporation counsel summarized the complexity of the Stonehende properties. Staff said extensive prior assessments (2010 and 2017) showed industrial-era contamination; HRP and staff recommended seeking up to the $6 million maximum now available under round 22 to cover abatement and remediation work, including potential PCB and PFAS testing and remediation. Corporation counsel provided a legal update: the city has filed foreclosure actions on the parcels, appraisals have been ordered, and the city anticipates motions for judgment depending on appraisal outcomes. Counsel noted blight liens exceeding approximately $500,000 per parcel and that the city may ultimately acquire the properties through strict foreclosure if owners do not redeem.
Council members said the remediation funds and planning grant align with the city’s brownfield strategy and prior successes reclaiming and reusing contaminated industrial land. The council voted in favor of the remediation application, the Zeller assessment grant and the area-wide planning grant; the RLF loan item was tabled pending terms.
Actions at a glance - Motion to apply for DECD Brownfield Remediation/Limited Assessment grant for Stonehende (up to $6,000,000): approved. - Motion to apply for DECD municipal brownfield assessment grant for 52 Norwood (Zeller): approved ($200,000). - Motion to apply for DECD BARR planning grant (Activate Main Street) $200,000 with $20,000 city match: approved. - Motion to authorize mayor to enter RLF loan contract with Safari Properties LLC for up to $169,000: tabled pending loan terms (interest rate and repayment length).
