SHARE

Fairfield RTM Member Reacts to Metro Center News

Alexis Harrison is a member of Fairfield’s Representative Town Meeting. She sent the following statement to the press Monday night in reaction to the news that the Fairfield Metro train station would cost between $2.4 and $6.4 million to complete.

 

The findings revealed tonight are alarming but not surprising since the RTM and other bodies were warned about this boondoggle some time ago and I am happy to see the Board of Finance will now seek an independent financial audit of this major project for the first time in eight years and I am pleased with the information First Selectman Michael Tetreau gave us tonight. I also applaud Reps. Kathryn Braun and David Becker's earnest efforts in 2010 to seek, through the legislative process, the formation of a special committee to review the tri-party agreement and other documents, and it is regrettable in my view that that measure was narrowly voted down by this RTM and even actively lobbied against by many town leaders, suggesting such a committee was not in our purview. Had a special committee been in place at the legislative level, perhaps there would have been an open flow of communication and accounting of the people's money spent on this project, but it was not to be. 

On Monday night, the RTM was informed for the first time that the Town will be asked to bond significant funds for Metro Center cost overruns, which could amount to $5 to $7 million. Combined with the loss of $6 million in parking fee revenue from the state, this could cost the taxpayers $12 million. We were not told of this problem at First Selectman Kenneth Flatto's  April update to the RTM. Before the town commits to borrow or spend any substantial new monies, the information requested tonight from RTM members and any follow up requests shall be expected to be forthcoming and we look forward to reviewing them in a timely manner. 

On a personal note, I believe Mr. Tetreau did a fine job executing this month's train station report  just a mere 17 days into the job as interim First Selectman, and while it's easy to point fingers, have 20/20 hindsight, blame leaders of the past who have cut and run and do what now seems politically opportunistic, it's important to have an action plan in place as soon as possible as Mr. Tetreau articulated tonight with regards to completing the station with as little burden to the taxpayer as possible. 

I hope Mr. Teatreau has the foresight, the political wherewithal, and vision to do what is right, and put Tom Steinke, the director of conservation, back on the job of environmental oversight on this major project that is situated on contaminated land right on the Ash Creek estuary. I would hope Mr. Tetreau would want what I've wanted, along with seven other concerned citizens in this town have wanted and fought for since 2007 -- that the town be protected from environmental harm and that means restoring the normal workings of the Conservation Department as it has existed for over 30 years to do what it does on every other wetlands permit in town.

When the town's Conservation Department cited Black Rock Realty for violations and Black Rock Realty complained that the Conservation Department was purposely delaying the project, Mr. Flatto and others failed to support the Department and, instead, accommodated BRR by removing the Department from the project all together without any evidentiary support of a delay and installed an outside consultant to be paid for by BRR. Mr. Flatto claimed that he was heroically saving the Metro Center and keeping the construction from being delayed, yet he knowingly exposed our town to environmental harm, which was admitted by the town attorney during Monday night's RTM meeting.

Alexis Harrison, District 8

Do you want to voice your opinion? Start the discussion in the comments below or send letters to the editor to gcanuel@thedailyfairfield.com.

 

 

to follow Daily Voice Fairfield and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE