Tweed Needs Approvals to Start Work?
Posted on: Thursday, 6 March 2008, 00:00 CST
By Charles Kochakian
As a party to the lawsuit against Tweed New Haven Regional Airport, East Haven has issued a cease-and-desist order to the airport authority to halt work on the south side of the property. As mayor of East Haven, I believe there is no legal right for it to continue. This is consistent with the state Department of Environmental Protection permit that requires the airport authority to fully comply with all local regulatory permit processes. This it has failed to do in spite of the authority's promise that it wouldn't start work without local approvals.
East Haven taxpayers need to have a say in what happens in our town because, frankly, we pick up the tab. True to my campaign promise, I will work hard to see that the people who pay the bills are heard.
It is important to understand the impact airport expansion will have on East Haven. In addition to the increased noise and air pollution, safety concerns, environmental issues and general decrease in quality of life felt by residents living in the immediate vicinity of Tweed, our infrastructure cannot handle the increased demand required to support expansion. There is a cost to the town for the fire, police and public works services we need to support an airport community and be able to respond in a potential crisis. It is unreasonable to pass that cost to the East Haven taxpayers so that others in the region will have the convenience of flying from Tweed instead of Bradley.
I have asked repeatedly for a business plan for what the airport authority is attempting to accomplish, but have yet to see any documentation. It would be irresponsible of me to give free reign to Tweed without knowing the plan.
I have also asked for a communication campaign on behalf of the airport authority to keep residents informed and aware of what may happen. Again, I have seen nothing.
I am interested in regional cooperation; however, regional cooperation does not mean that you bulldoze an area without letting town officials and residents know first.
April Capone Almon
East Haven
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Source: New Haven Register
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