Stratford Star by John Kovach
Thursday, 11 March 2010 

Stratford is finally showing a unified front to the federal government.

The Town Council unanimously demanded Monday that state and federal authorities craft a fully funded plan that removes most, if not all, Raymark waste from Stratford.

The resolution throws council support behind the neighborhood advocacy group SaveStratford, which wants contaminated soil trucked out of town, and promises to retain the legal and professional services necessary to get a comprehensive remediation plan.

“It’s the most important thing we can do,” Councilman Matt Catalano (R-3rd) said Wednesday. “While it might not be airborne, it’s still polluting the streams, we’re letting all that stuff seep into rivers and the Sound. It’s irresponsible in the long term.”

Catalano said he has seen early deaths in his family and sickness in children in his district he believes can be traced to Raymark waste.

The resolution lists 33 properties that need attention.

Previous town leaders have not shown a united front, and the federal Environmental Protection Agency has frequently said during meetings on the toxic soil that it cannot act because Stratford has not shown consensus.

The lack of progress has hurt the town’s economic development by keeping young families away and creating a stigma, said Thomas Smith before the vote. Smith is one of the founders of SaveStratford.

“For too long we’ve been pushed back by the EPA saying there’s no consensus in town,” Smith said during the public comment that preceded Monday’s meeting. “For too long we’ve been told it’s one or two neighborhoods. It’s a townwide problem that affects economic development and the tax rolls. There are properties that can’t be developed.”

Michael Singh told the council that leadership has been lacking on the Raymark issue, which he called a public health threat.

“Push for a fully funded, comprehensive plan,” Smith said.

“The bureaucratic red tape we’ve been put through so far is unacceptable,” Singh said.

An impassioned Catalano introduced the resolution, sponsored by the entire council. Jason Santi (D-4th) seconded the motion.

A fourth-generation resident, Catalano spoke of a town that poured its efforts into industry and defense, and has been left with toxic ground under foot.

“They owe us,” Catalano said of the federal government.

“This is a very historic moment, a very unifying message,” Stephanie Phillips (D-2nd) said.

“The council’s resolution makes it clear to everyone involved that this community is speaking with one voice when it comes to the remediation of Raymark properties,” Mayor John A. Harkins said after the meeting. “As someone who has been working on this issue for years, I have always viewed it as my responsibility to advocate for the wishes of the affected residents in this process. The council’s action strengthens that resolve, and I look forward to restarting talks with the EPA this week.”

Officials from the EPA and Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection are scheduled to brief Harkins and the Health Department on Friday at the mayor’s office. SaveStratford will have a representative present.

“This is a big step, and I’m grateful to the entire Town Council,” Smith said after the vote. “Big thanks to Stephanie Phillips for working across party lines with Matt Catalano to get this through. John [Harkins] started the ball rolling.”

The previous Town Council passed a resolution, but Smith said it was “watered down” during months of debate before it was approved.