Cornwall lays out infrastructure plans

CORNWALL — Cornwall’s Board of Selectmen reviewed a series of town projects  in the works at a regular meeting on April 4.

Among the updates included the status of their wastewater treatment project, fiber optic internet installation, and a proposal for improving pedestrian  infrastructure in the village centers.

The board provided an update on the town’s Transportation Rural Improvement Program (TRIP) state grant application, which was recently submitted to the Northwest Hills Council of Governments (COG). The proposed project would improve walkability in West Cornwall and Cornwall Bridge by revamping sidewalks, crosswalks and parking in both areas.

Plans for the work were drafted by engineer Steve McDonnell after a tour of the targeted areas in mid-March.

The COG will review proposals from each town and vote to send selected projects to the state. As a reimbursement grant, the work would have to be approved by a town vote before construction begins. Should the proposal be selected by the COG, Ridgway said the work would take two to three years to accomplish.

Frontier Communications has begun the process of installing fiber optic cable in Cornwall. Ridgway met with Frontier last week to discuss its plans.

“Frontier plans to have a fiber network in each town in Connecticut,” said Ridgway. “They are not going to be wiring the entire town to start. They are doing village centers and roads that have the most customers on it.”

Frontier’s arrival in Cornwall comes in the midst of the installation of Optimum’s high-speed internet network throughout town. The board planned to increase public outreach to inform customers of both services as the systems come online later this year.

The board approved a motion to reseal the pavement on several roads in the northern part of Cornwall. The identified roads includ Yelping Hill Road, Scoville Road, and part of Town Street. The highway department is expected to contract Seymour Sealing for the work.

Regarding West Cornwall’s wastewater project, Ridgway provided an update on the recent underground boring of the proposed site. Project Engineer McDonnell bored the land and found no cause for concern.

“Found a few rocks to let you know we’re in Cornwall but not ledge, which is encouraging,” said Ridgway.

This information confirmed the site as a viable location for the wastewater treatment facility. McDonnell accepted a proposal from Eagle Environmental to conduct an environmental review on the land, which is expected to be completed within two months.

The board reviewed two requests for grants out of the transfer station’s bottle fund. This fund, generated from processing bottles and cans at the transfer station, has provided $14,000 to local organizations over the past eight years. This year’s requests came from the Housatonic Camera Club and the Multiple Sclerosis Fundraiser Walk.

“I think they are both worthy causes,” said Ridgway.

The board approved a motion to grant $1,000 to both groups once funds are replenished. Ridgway expects sufficient funds to be available later this spring.