TORRINGTON – The Torrington City Court met in session at approximately 12 p.m. Thursday afternoon to hear a brief presentation from local officials regarding a potential seven-million-dollar state grant proposal for essential constructional repairs and renovations for East D Street in Torrington.

Present at the meeting was Torrington Mayor Herb Doby, deputy city clerk Silvia Anaya, city clerk/treasurer Lynette Strecker, and most notably director of public works Jeff Harkins.

A small number of Torrington residents were additionally present and allowed an opportunity for questions or public comment regarding the upcoming project. A number of concerns were brought up regarding the local effect on utility costs, potential home water or sewage issues and any sort of logistical aspects that may come up should the project be approved.

Harkins addressed all in attendance of the plans, intentions, and effects the project will have on residents once all funding, permits and pre-construction requirements are finalized.

“It is the waterline replacements and a storm sewer replacement on East D that goes all the way from Highway 26 to 30 Avenue,” Harkins said. “That’s basically it in a nutshell. Additional aspects of this hearing include requesting financial assistance from the State Resolving Fund in the overall amount of seven million dollars for clean water under the state’s urban system funds, and we will be petitioning the state for a capital construction loan for that same projected amount.”

“Residential water lines are not part of the project; however, the East D water line is,” Harkins continued. “You may see a minor increase in pressure, but this is the first project in a whole slew of projects we are proposing to do. Potential utility increase applies to the whole city, not just residents on East D Street. As we improve and upgrade the system, it would be way too complicated for us to just single out certain individuals within the city. We are receiving the project at this time, and as we go along others similarly will be benefiting from the improvements also across the board. Of course, it’s going to get all torn up to replace sewer and water lines, but only on East D.”

The meeting marked the first step in mandatory constructional proposals for the project, with no other information on when the city intends or can begin construction at this time.

“I do want to thank you all for attending the meeting today, as they were all good questions and reasonable concerns,” mayor Doby said. “I will close it for public comment at this time and we will go ahead and adjourn.”

The meeting finished at precisely 12:14 p.m.