Recreation Path - PZC released Trust Account funds

At the TueAug5 mtg of the Planninc & Zoning Commission, after a presentation from myself and co-chair Bill Dyer, and review by City Counsel of the trust fund documents, they voted to release the Huntington Woods Trust Fund (apx. $60k + $9k interest accrued). The balance of the LOCIP project should now come from allocation via the Board of Alderman. The Board of Alderman's next regular meeting is ThuAug14.

Today's CtPost had an update on our progress. I cut/paste here only for a record of the press documenting our activity, as the link's to the paper are not retained over time.
http://www.connpost.com/valley/ci_10133473

KATE RAMUNNI
Article Last Updated: 08/07/2008 11:32:57 PM EDT

SHELTON — Conservation officials are one step closer to their goal of upgrading the popular Shelton Lakes Recreation Path, buoyed by this week's Planning and Zoning Commission decision that directs money from the Huntington Woods Trust Fund to go toward the project.
The P&Z unanimously agreed to let the Conservation Commission tap into the almost $70,000 fund to make improvements to the path that connects downtown to Huntington Center. The upgrades will make the path easier to use, especially for those on bicycles and in wheelchairs, and mothers with baby strollers.
But the approval comes with an important caveat, Zoning Administrator Rick Schultz said.
"Now they have to show proof they can get the additional funding," he said, referring to the remaining portion of the $150,000 project price tag.
To that end, Conservation Commission members will meet today with Mayor Mark A. Lauretti to discuss the possibility of using Local Capital Improvement Program (LoCIP) funds for the work, the panel's chairman, Tom Harbinson, said.
"I meet with the mayor regarding the balance on Friday morning to work out the LoCIP logistics," Harbinson said.
Members of the Conservation Commission and its Trails Committee have worked for years to make the recreation path a reality. The 4.3-mile trail stretches from the Shelton High School and Shelton Intermediate School campus to Huntington Center. The area of the path by the schools is made of gravel and asphalt, while other sectionsare less developed.
The first phase of the project, which will cost about $153,000, will put a new surface on the path from Pine Lake to the intersection of Constitution Boulevard and Shelton Avenue.
Harbinson said he had approached Lauretti about getting the LoCIP funds and Lauretti suggested trying to get permission from the Planning and Zoning Commission to use the trust fund money for part of the project.
Developer Monty Blakeman established the fund about eight years ago when he built the Huntington Woods subdivision. The money was earmarked for improvements "in and around" Huntington Woods, but Corporation Counsel Tom Welch determined that the wording of the fund's description allowed for a use such as the recreation path.