Finance Committee Approves Bonding Bill That Includes $3 Million to Settle Shepaug River Litigation

The General Assembly’s Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee approved Senate Bill 52 this afternoon which includes $3 million in bonding to settle the lawsuit between the towns of Washington and Roxbury, the City of Waterbury, and several concerned environmental organizations. State Senator Andrew Roraback (R-Goshen), who serves as the Ranking Member on the Committee’s General Bonding Subcommittee, joined Senate Republican Leader Lou DeLuca (R-Woodbury) Representative Craig Minor (R-Litchfield), also a member of the Finance Committee, and several other state and local officials in endorsing the improvements for which the funding was sought.

Specifically, the grant will help pay for a gauging station, new release gates and two pumps and related equipment for Wigwam Reservoir. These improvements will ensure that flows into the Shepaug River are adequate to protect the environmental integrity of the river as well as safeguard that sufficient quantities of clean drinking water are available to meet the residential and commercial demands of the residents whose water is supplied through the Waterbury system.

“I would like to thank my fellow members of the Finance Committee for approving this bill and recognizing the importance of this bonding for thousands of Connecticut citizens,” said Senator Roraback. “This is just the first step in ensuring that the state funds are secured and the settlement comes to final fruition.”

“The communities along the Shepaug River and the City of Waterbury have come together and made it possible to maintain the integrity of the river and the watershed without jeopardizing the supply of drinking water. I am glad to see the Finance Committee do its part in making this agreement become a reality,” said Senator DeLuca.

“This action puts us one step closer to our goal of maintaining an excellent supply of drinking water for the Greater Waterbury area while we maintain a wonderful watershed for man and nature,” said Representative Minor.

The legislation will now move onto the state Senate for a vote. If approved by both Chambers of the General Assembly and signed by the Governor, the funding would then need to be placed on the State Bond Commission Agenda for final approval.

Senator Roraback is an Assistant Minority Leader and is serving his third term representing the 30th District communities of Brookfield, Canaan, Cornwall, Goshen, Kent, Litchfield, Morris, New Milford, North Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, Torrington, Warren, Washington, and Winchester.