New Milford council approves up-to-$200,000 study of DPW relocation after Century Brass remediation update

The New Milford Town Council voted to authorize a third-party study, not to exceed $200,000, to analyze alternative sites and concept designs for a new Department of Public Works (DPW) facility.

Councilmember Arlene, who moved the measure, said a formal study is "reasonable and prudent" to identify costs, benefits and site constraints rather than rely solely on past plans. Jack, the town's public-works/environmental lead, told the council the Century Brass site has advanced through remediation: state regulators approved a Quality Assurance Program for sampling, the number of documented Areas of Concern has been reduced from 33 to 13, and a previously designated significant environmental hazard was closed after testing. "We received a certificate of compliance," Jack said, adding the town is working toward closure of remaining AOCs and will use monitoring wells as needed.

Opponents raised environmental and climate concerns. Councilmember Harry said residents worry that a DPW facility with fuel, equipment and salt storage could pose risks to the town's drinking-water aquifer and noted heavier storms tied to climate change. "Science makes mistakes," Harry said, framing the objection in terms of precaution for downstream water users. Sal also questioned the expenditure, calling $200,000 "fluff" and urging reliance on existing town staff expertise.

Jack and other proponents responded that Century Brass is a brownfield the town already owns, is largely outside the 100-year flood plain, and can be designed with containment systems, secondary containment for tanks, covered salt storage and stormwater controls required by state regulators. "When you build a new facility, you bring it up to current standards," Jack said, describing stormwater sampling, secondary containment and design practices that would limit on-site releases.

The council debated whether site concerns are sufficiently resolved by past studies and ongoing remediation work. Multiple speakers reminded the council that Century Brass was rezoned in the 2015 government-services overlay and the town previously obtained state revolving loan funds to assist demolition and cleanup. Supporters argued that reusing a remediated brownfield preserves undeveloped land and avoids buying new acreage at market prices.

The motion passed on a voice vote. The transcript records vocal "I" responses for and against and two abstentions but does not include a roll-call tally; minutes should be consulted for a formal count and any specific appropriation action requested of the Board of Finance. The council also discussed that a formal request would include an appropriation and recommendation to the Board of Finance for the study funds.

Next steps: the council authorized moving forward with procuring a consultant and will clarify the contracting and appropriation path with the Board of Finance. Town staff said they will return with procurement documents or an RFP process and follow statutory procurement and grant-compliance requirements.