Sen. Roraback, Rep. Chapin, and Rep. Carson Join with Governor Rell in Announcing Open Space Grant for New Milford

State Senator Andrew Roraback (R-30th) along with State Representatives Clark Chapin (R-67th) and Mary Ann Carson (R-108th) today announced a $450,000 Open Space Grant for the Town of New Milford. The funding will be used to acquire a 170-acre parcel of land known as Reservoir #4. This property contains a 25-acre reservoir and is also home to Great Brook, a native trout-breeding stream.

“I am delighted that the state has become a meaningful partner in this important conservation initiative,” said Senator Roraback, who serves as an Assistant Minority Leader. “I am also grateful that Governor Rell has again funded a program which greatly benefits grassroots land preservation initiatives in Litchfield County.”

“New Milford’s application for grant funds for the reservoir property was a very strong one,” said Rep. Chapin. “In fact, we received the maximum amount of funding available under this program. I’m certainly grateful for the state’s participation in such an important project that helps preserve this beautiful piece of property for our community.”

“This grant is a excellent news for New Milford,” said Rep. Carson. “It will help preserve a pristine property for future generations and protect the town’s rural character.”

Today’s funding was part of the 11th round of Open Space and Watershed Acquisition Awards which provides financial assistance to municipalities and nonprofit land conservation organizations to acquire land for open space and to water companies to acquire land to be classified as Class I or Class II water supply property.
The grants were officially announced by Governor M. Jodi Rell and Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Gina McCarthy at a ceremony held this afternoon in Norwalk. $6.8 million was awarded to twenty-four towns across Connecticut as part of this round of awards.