55 o T> 13 Brownfields 2008 Grant Fact Sheet Newtown, CT EPA Brownfields Program EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states, commu- nities, and other stakeholders to work together to prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse brownfields. Abrownfield site is real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. On January 11, 2002, President George W. Bush signed into law the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act. Under this law, EPA provides financial assistance to eligible applicants through four competitive grant programs: assessment grants, revolving loan fund grants, cleanup grants, and job training grants. Additionally, funding support is provided to state and tribal response programs through a separate mechanism. Community Description The Town of Newtown was selected to receive a brownfields cleanup grant. Located in southwest Connecticut, Newtown (population 25,031) was founded as a fanning community with scattered mill developments along several streams. Less than one percent of the town's land contains commercial development, limiting its commercial and industrial tax base. The Fairfield Hills Complex site represents the town's largest single opportunity for the expansion of this tax base on town-owned land. Cleanup of the site is expected to reduce health risks to area residents and reduce blight in the community. Once cleanup is complete, the town plans to lease site buildings for office and retail space. Portions of the site also are expected to be reused for a new town recreation center. Cleanup Grant $200,000 for hazardous substances EPA has selected the Town of Newtown for a brownfields cleanup grant. Hazardous substances grant funds will be used to clean up the 185-acre Fairfield Hills Complex site on Mile Hill Road in Newtown. The site contained a mental health hospital from the 1930s until the 1990s and is contaminated with inorganic hazardous materials. Grant funds also will be used to conduct commu- nity involvement activities. Contacts For further information, including specific grant contacts, additional grant information, brownfields news and events, and publications and links, visit the EPA Brownfields web site at: www.epa.gov/ brownfields. EPA Region 1 Brownfields Team 617-918-1424 http://www.epa.gov/regionl/brownfields Grant Recipient: Town of Newtown, CT 203-270-4201 The information presented in this fact sheet comes from the grant proposal; EPA cannot attest to the accuracy of this information. The cooperative agreement for the grant has not yet been negoti- ated. Therefore, activities described in this fact sheet are subject to change. Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105T) EPA 560-F-08-206 July 2008 www.epa.gov/brownfields ------- |