June 14, 2024
SENATOR NEEDLEMAN, FIRST SELECTMAN DENNLER WELCOME $1.126 MILLION BROWNFIELD REMEDIATION GRANT FOR COLCHESTER
Today, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) and Colchester First Selectman Bernie Dennler welcomed the news that Colchester will receive a grant valued at more than $1.1 million through the state’s Brownfield Remediation and Development Program to support the remediation of a former mill site that will be turned into a park for passive recreation.
“This is excellent news, and encouraging to hear as I’ve been working in support of this project for some time now,” said Sen. Needleman. “Our state’s continued efforts to turn derelict and unused properties into new community resources will have transformative effects over time.”
“We are so grateful to the Department of Economic and Community Development and our state leaders for supporting the remediation efforts at Norton Paper Mill,” said First Selectman Dennler. “When complete, Norton Park will be a beautiful addition to the Westchester area that will celebrate Colchester history and provide passive recreation opportunities for people of all ages.”
According to the Department of Economic and Community Development, Colchester will receive $1,125,700 through this program to complete remediation of approximately 3,200 cubic yards of impacted soil at the former Norton Paper Mill Site. Once the work is complete, the property will be turned into a public park in town.
Colchester previously received a grant of $518,000 through the Remedial Action and Redevelopment Municipal Grant Program in 2016 supporting what is expected to become the Norton Park. The town acquired the property that year.
Earlier this year, the town also accepted two grants from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection supporting the park’s cleanup and redevelopment, as well as a contract to complete flood management certification before environmental remediation could begin.
The Norton Paper Mill operated from the 1880s to the 1960s, manufacturing a variety of paper products. |
