EPA AWARDS PRESTON BROWNFIELD CLEANUP GRANT

Preston has secured $800,000 in competitive grants to assess and clean up brownfield sites at the former Norwich Hospital property on Route 12.

The Environmental Protection Agency grants were announced Thursday in a news release from U.S. Sens. Joe Lieberman and Richard Blumenthal and U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District.

A $200,000 assessment grant will be used to investigate hazardous substances in soils and building materials and to develop cleanup plans and support community involvement activities. A $600,000 cleanup grant will be used to remove hazardous substances from the 390-acre property.

The former hospital facility operated for 90 years until it was closed in 1996. Buildings and underlying soils have been impacted by PCBS, metals, and inorganic contaminants. The grant funds also will be used to support community involvement activities.

“This funding is a major step toward cleanup and gainful use of land that otherwise will continue to be an eyesore and a danger to public health,” Blumenthal said.

Courtney said the grant award will help the town move forward with redevelopment of the property.

“The town of Preston’s success in securing this competitive funding is a testament not only to the quality of their application, but the need for action at the former Norwich Hospital site,” he said. “This funding gives the town a tremendous opportunity to start over, and begin work on a site that would otherwise lie dormant and pose a threat to the surrounding area.”