December 29, 2008


The Honorable Governor M. Jodi Rell
210 Capitol Avenue Room 200
Hartford, CT 06106

C: Fran Evon

Dear Governor Rell,

Westbrook is pleased to submit the following important projects to assist your office in leveraging funds for Connecticut from the proposed National Economic Stimulus Package. We have identified projects consistent with your letter of December 17th that we believe meet the “ Shovel-Ready” test.

The projects are listed and identified by specific categories as follows:

1. INFRASTRUCTURE/PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS.
The Winthrop Falls River Bridge
This bridge was inspected in 2006 (rated poor) and must be replaced as soon as
possible.
Estimated Cost - $400,000
Jobs Created - 50-60 (Construction Phase)

The Grove Beach Road South Project
Stormwater retrofit and flood mitigation.
Estimated Cost $200,000
Jobs Created - 40 (Construction Phase)
Homes Affected - 150

2. ECONOMIC IMPACT PROJECTS.
Army Corps of Engineers – Dredging of Patchogue River (See Appendix A)
Permits are in place and over 7 years of planning with $350,000 in funding for
Army Corps of Engineer administrative costs have been devoted to this federally
designated channel. This project has a major economic impact on the region,
provides safety for boaters with a deep harbor of refuge and rescue. The town
has purchased a $250,000 rescue boat, launched in the summer of 2008 for
regional rescue. Westbrook has the 2nd largest concentration of boats in CT.
Environmentally, there is significant impact on water quality and wetlands.
Estimated Cost - $1.8 Million.
Jobs created - 10-15 (Construction Phase) and retention of 270 marine related employees who are vital to Westbrook’s economy.







Pequot Road Extension
The extension of Pequot Park Road to Pond Meadow Road Rd (approx. 1.3 miles) would provide access to 307 acres of undeveloped industrial land. A full build-out of the property would accommodate an additional 640,000 SF of manufacturing space, resulting in the creation of up to 900 long-term new jobs in the near future. Construction of the road would create an additional 50 short-term jobs and provide an opportunity for improved water distribution and power grid enhancement as well as improved traffic circulation in Westbrook. The first phase of the road (1700’) has been fully engineered and permitted. A preliminary layout of the remaining 5700’ has been completed. The expansion of the road is recommended in the Westbrook Plan of Conservation and Development.
Estimated Cost - $2.9 million
Jobs Created - 900 (Long-term), 50 (Construction Phase)

3. ENHANCED EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND TECHNICAL.
(See Appendix B)
The Town conducted a major energy audit that thoroughly documents the following
requests in both schools:
Daisy Ingraham Elementary School
A 30-year-old building in need of major upgrades to conserve energy and meet
LEEDS standard. The town replaced the entire roof this past year at a cost of $1.1million dollars, however, significant additional renovations are needed such as window and door replacement, HVAC equipment and replacement of boiler
and heating components.
Estimated Cost – $2million
Jobs Created – 92 (Construction)

High School
Ideally situated to house a solar energy roof to conserve energy.
Estimated Cost – $3.25 million
Jobs Created – TBD

Technology Connectivity
Essential to educational projects of approximately 1000 students, including
computers and hardware, SPAM filtering, infrastructure WAN upgrade and
wireless connection to name a few.
Estimated Cost – $400,000
Jobs Created - TBD

4. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Comprehensive Upgrading of the Town Information Technology Systems
The improvements outlined in Appendix C are deemed necessary to improve overall efficiency, raise the standard of business operations within the Town Hall and provide critical linkage of data for interdepartmental communication and reporting requirements.
Estimated Cost - $123,000
Jobs Created - TBD







5. ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS
Public Water Line to Residents Adjacent to Landfill
Potential contamination of private residential water supply for neighborhoods
adjacent to closed landfill who are now receiving potable water from the State.
The only certain solution to this problem is to provide a public water supply.
Estimated Cost $750,000
Residences Served – TBD

TOTAL ESTIMATED NEW JOBS FOR ALL THE ABOVE PROJECTS - 1150

TOTAL ESTIMATED COST OF ALL THE ABOVE PROJECTS - $11,823,000

Westbrook realizes that engineering and design work would have to be completed on these projects. We have at our disposal, a number of engineering consultants that the Town can rely on to complete the descriptions and permitting work within 90 days. We are willing to make the financial commitment to ensure that you have all of the information required and these projects are ready to proceed. Many of the projects have been previously identified as part of Westbrook’s Capital Improvement Plan, approved at a Town Meeting in June 2008. Accordingly, we have a strong consensus on the high priority of the above projects and have made the necessary commitment to projects that are essential to the continued well being and economic viability of Westbrook.

Thank you for your willingness to encourage Connecticut municipalities to be included in a National Economic Stimulus Package. If you need any further information, please contact me.

Respectfully,



Noel Bishop
First Selectman
Email: nbishop@westbrookct.us
860 399-3040

Enclosures

C: Selectman James Crawford
Selectman Marie Farrell
Senator Eileen Daily
Representative Brian O’Connor
Representative Marilyn Giulano