Governor Rell Orders DPW, DEP to Move Ahead

on Milford Boardwalk Project

Cites Commitment to City, People of Milford

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that she has directed the Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to move forward with a proposed boardwalk project in Milford, saying the state should honor approvals for the project.

            The DPW and the DEP had recently told city officials they were suspending work on the boardwalk indefinitely because of the state’s economic situation. But Governor Rell said a total of $2 million for the project was approved by the state Bond Commission in August 2006.

            “Given the state’s budget deficit and the current state of the economy, I appreciate the efforts of the DPW and the DEP to cut costs wherever possible,” Governor Rell said. “But we have made a commitment to the city and people of Milford and it needs to be honored. Bond Commission approvals for this project were granted nearly three years ago – had the work not been held up, it probably would have been completed by now. This project should go forward.”

            The boardwalk project crosses over both state property at Silver Sands State Park and city property at Walnut Beach. Of the $2 million approved by the Bond Commission, slightly more than $244,000 has been spent so far, mostly for engineering work.

            Complications such as the presence of the nests of endangered piping plovers have slowed progress on the boardwalk, but Governor Rell said she is hoping it will be completed soon.