In The News | Petroleum contamination study grants available to Norwich property owners

Norwich (The Day, June 6, 2021) — Over the past five years, the city has used a federal environmental assessment grant to study prominent properties, from the derelict YMCA on Main Street and the former American Legion in Laurel Hill to the former Hebrew school on Church Street.

With the end of the grant period looming and $35,879 remaining, Planning Director Deanna Rhodes is seeking commercial property owners interested in selling or redeveloping properties with potential petroleum contamination or old underground tanks that pre-date their ownership. The money must be spent by Sept. 30, the close of the current federal fiscal year.

The remaining money is in the petroleum portion of the original grant and can be used to do a phase 1 study, which includes document research on the history of uses for the property and assessments of whether underground tanks might be present and removing them if they pre-date the current property ownership.

“We’re looking for small-sized non-residential properties,” Rhodes said, “not big mill buildings. We’re willing to speak with anyone who did not put the tanks in the ground.”

For information on the program or to apply for a grant, contact the city planning office at (860) 823-3766.

There would be no cost to the property owner for the studies, tank assessment and removal.

Rhodes said phase 1 historical use studies cost about $3,500 per property and would be helpful to owners planning to sell their properties or submit proposals for reuse. The studies are good for 120 days and could be updated easily if no changes have occurred, she said.

The city received the original grant in 2016, with $185,000 dedicated to properties suspected to have petroleum contamination and $199,000 for properties suspected of having hazardous materials contamination.

The city Redevelopment Agency administered the grant, with environmental consulting firm, Tighe & Bond, conducting the work in partnership with Three Rivers Community College. Students in Professor Diba Khan-Bureau’s environmental engineering and technology program assisted in the studies.

“It’s been nice having them as a partner,” Rhodes said.

The grant money was used on properties throughout the city, including municipal, private and institutional projects. The city allocated $43,751 to assess potential building and grounds contamination on the Norwich portion of the former Norwich Hospital property; $20,000 to assess a building at the former Thermos mill complex for possible expansion of the Integrated Day Charter School; $13,500 for asbestos and concrete tests at the former Hebrew school for redevelopment as a brew pub and $37,500 to assess hazardous materials at the former YMCA on Main Street.

“This is kind of our last-ditch effort to utilize the remaining funds,” Rhodes said. “It’s not a whole lot of money, but we want to reach out to the public and see if there’s someone we can assist with the money.”

 

— By Claire Bessette, Day Staff Writer

The original article can be found here: “Petroleum contamination study grants available to Norwich property owners”

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Three Rivers College Foundation receives $2,500 grant from Chelsea Groton Foundation to assist former Ridley-Lowell Students

The Three Rivers College Foundation was recently awarded $2,500 from the Chelsea Groton Foundation to fund a unique workforce training completion program for former Ridley-Lowell students. After the unfortunate closing of Ridley-Lowell this past spring, Three Rivers Community College opened its doors to students to help them complete their training programs.

The Three Rivers College Foundation applied for grant monies through the Chelsea Groton Foundation to support these displaced students on their path to training completion. The Chelsea Groton Foundation is committed to supporting the long-term growth of our community through supporting education, economic development and various community initiatives. Together, the Three Rivers College and Chelsea Groton Foundations will provide a pathway to success for students in our region.

There are several non-credit Workforce programs that would be a natural fit for Ridley-Lowell students, including the Medical Administrative Assistant Program, Medical Billing & Coding Program and Dental Assisting Program. Students can start as soon as this summer with Medical Math. To discuss Workforce courses and enrollment, call 860-215-9028 or visit www.threerivers.edu/workforce.

Former Ridley-Lowell students would also benefit from Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, A.S., the newest associate degree program at Three Rivers that begins this fall. Graduates of this program will be eligible to sit for the exam as a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA). For more information on credit courses and degree programs, contact the Welcome Desk at 860-215-9016 or visit www.threerivers.edu.

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TRCC receives $882,998 grant from the state

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The financial assistance provided by grants like the Willis Scholarship program are vital to students who rely on the solid educational foundation that community colleges provide, and to those who plan to transfer to a university to earn a higher degree.

The fund supports Connecticut residents who are high school seniors or graduates with a high school junior year class rank of 20% or better and/or SAT scores of at least 1800 or ACT score of at least 27. Recipients must attend a Connecticut public or non-profit private college. Awards are up to $5,250 a year for full-time attendance in a 4-year program of study; up to $4,650 a year for full-time attendance in a 2-year program of study, and are based on financial need and academic merit.

For a needs-based award, students must be Connecticut residents who attend a Connecticut public or non-profit private college. Recipients must have a federal Expected Family Contribution (EFC) within the allowable range. Awards can be made up to $4,500 for full-time study in a 2- or 4-year program of study.

Formerly called the Governor’s Scholarship, the grant was renamed in May 2016 in honor of State Representative Roberta Willis (64th District) when she retired after 16 years in the General Assembly. Most recently she served as House Chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, and a member of the Appropriations Committee and the Environment Committee.

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