Letter from Middletown's Congresspeople to the Army

The Honorable Pete Geren

Secretary

United States Department of the Army

Army Pentagon

Washington, D.C. 20310-1600

Dear Secretary Geren,

We are writing with regard to the ongoing site location process for an Armed Forces Reserve Center in Middletown, Connecticut. As we are sure you are aware, at a September 17 public meeting in Middletown, the Army Corps of Engineers announced the four sites that it has determined are most suitable for additional consideration in the siting process.

The inclusion of the Kenneth Dooley Drive-Boardman Lane configuration in the Corps of Engineer’s list was met with significant opposition from the public. Both Middletown residents and the city’s elected leaders have made it particularly clear that the Boardman Lane property is not acceptable to the community as a site for the Center, and the Corps’ announcement has further heightened local dissatisfaction with the manner in which this siting process has been conducted.

We have been encouraged by the Corps’ and the Army’s willingness to work with the community to determine a mutually suitable site for the Armed Forces Reserve Center. We were also glad to see that the Corps had taken into consideration the recommendations made by the Mayor’s advisory panel. However, though the Corps has determined the Kenneth Dooley Drive-Boardman Lane proposal to be a “new” configuration, it has been interpreted by many as evidence that the Corps and the Army will simply select a site regardless of public input. The inclusion of this proposal has dampened the sense of collaboration that we had all hoped to create and maintain throughout this process.

While we understand that there are three other alternative sites which will also be further investigated, we are strongly urging that any site that includes the Boardman Lane property be taken out of consideration. We would also encourage both the Corps and the Army to continue in the effort of working collaboratively with the city and residents to determine the most suitable site for this new Center. We believe that a mutually beneficial and suitable location can be found if there is open communication and discussion between all parties.

We appreciate your time and attention to our comments and look forward to your response. In the meantime, if our offices can provide you with any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

Senator Chris Dodd

Senator Joe Lieberman

Representative Rosa DeLauro

Delauro satisfied, Bysiewicz not

It appears that Representative Rosa Delauro is satisfied with Army Secretary Pete Geren's letter asking for a clarification on the legal status of why the Army Reserve Training Center must be built in Middletown. While Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz is not satisfied with the response.

Here's what Delauro had to say:

I am encouraged by the Secretary Geren’s willingness to work with the Middletown community as we move forward with the siting and construction of the Armed Forces Reserve Center. In its response, the Army maintains that the language is clear on Middletown as the location; that the criteria will include price, sufficient buildable area, site access, environmental issues, zoning and construction cost; that the Army needs to acquire suitable property in time to complete the project before the 15 September 2011 BRAC-imposed deadline; and that the Army Corps of Engineers will need to get the environmental permits necessary to comply with the Clean Water Act. With this letter we have a clear understanding of where the Army is coming from and this should offer some additional guidance for the officials and residents of Middletown in how we proceed on the Center.

It is through open communication that we can ensure the community is fully involved in this process and provides Middletown’s citizens with greater input. Clearly, we all want to avoid the frustration that was experienced earlier this year. This week’s public meeting will provide both the Army Corps and the citizens of Middletown the opportunity to review and discuss those sites which have been recommended by the Mayor’s advisory panel.