Valley lawmakers welcome regionalization study funds

Valley lawmakers welcome regionalization study funds

The Derby and Ansonia legislative delegation in Hartford – Democratic state Rep. Linda M. Gentile of Ansonia, House Republican Minority Leader Themis Klarides, Republican state Sen. George S. Logan of Ansonia, and Republican state Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria of Seymour welcomed funds for Ansonia and Derby for a study on the feasibility of regionalizing the two cities’ education departments or the possibility of sharing these services.

The $168,500 grant, included in H.B. 5028, has been allocated to fund the study and will be administered by the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments.

“These funds are very important to cities like ours,” Gentile said.  “I am open to regionalization initiatives that if proven practical, would lead to more efficient services beneficial to our constituencies. This study will help us learn more about these possibilities and how beneficial this would be for Ansonia and Derby.”

Local decision

“Ansonia and Derby are smart to decide to study regionalizing their school systems,” said Klarides. “The state should help municipalities out in their efforts to regionalize, but it should always be up to the local residents to do so.”

Logan said, “This is forward-thinking, common sense, bipartisan legislation which will benefit Ansonia and Derby taxpayers. I am proud to be a part of this team effort.”

Klarides-Ditria said, “Regionalizing schools in Ansonia and Derby is something that has been talked about for years. I applaud the two cities’ efforts to move forward with this study and thank my colleagues for supporting this study. It will not only save the state money but it will also help the local communities.”

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