McGorty, Stratford Legislators Applaud Bond Funds for Raymark Site
Represents critical first phase in site remediation
HARTFORD – Stratford’s legislative delegation, including State Representatives Laura Hoydick (R-120), Ben McGorty (R-122), and Joe Gresko (D-121) applauded the inclusion of $2 million on the agenda of the State Bond Commission to fund the state portion of the first phase in a remedial action plan for soil and groundwater contamination remediation through the Federal Environmental Protection Agency at the Raymark superfund site in Stratford. The State Bond Commission will vote on the authorization at their meeting on Wednesday, February 1st in the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.
Raymark, a manufacturer of brakes, clutch discs and friction components used in automobiles operated from 1919 until it closed in 1989, but left behind polluted soil which was used throughout Stratford as fill in several locations. The Stratford legislators have been working alongside the Harkins administration in concert with the EPA for years to remediate the pollution to this soil.
“The environmental problems created by the Raymark soil throughout Stratford have had a significant impact on several residential and commercial properties and wetlands throughout Stratford,” said Rep. McGorty. “The approval of these funds will mark a significant point in finally remediating these pollutants. I am pleased to join with Mayor Harkins and my fellow Stratford legislators in applauding this authorization, and appreciate the work of the Governor and Bond Commission in making it a reality.”
“Our collective effort to reverse the contamination caused by the Raymark facility in Stratford has been a lengthy and challenging one,” said Rep. Hoydick. “I am pleased to be working with Mayor John Harkins and Stratford legislators, the Governor and the Environmental Protection Agency as a team dedicated to making this happen. I thank the Governor and the Bond Commission for advancing these critical funds which will represent a major first step on behalf of the state toward initiating the remediation process.”
“We can look at the success of Phase 1 of the Raymark remediation as an example,” Rep. Gresko said. “Based on that experience, we know there will be challenges and inconveniences, but when we look at the long game; this is the right thing to do for property owners, for our groundwater and for our overall environmental health. I want to thank my teammates on the Stratford Legislative delegation, the Governor and Mayor Harkins – this project has been a long journey.”