Rep. Vicino: State Approves Funds for New Morgan School Construction

State Representative Thomas Vicino (D-35th) applauded the General Assembly’s approval of grants for the construction of the new Morgan High School in Clinton.

S.B. 457 authorizes state grant commitments for school building projects overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives 142-2 in concurrence with the senate. The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk for his signature.

“I am truly thrilled to see this very important project move forward,” said State Rep. Tom Vicino. “The students, faculty and future generations will all benefit from having a new, energy efficient and technologically advanced facility.”

The bill allowed an exemption to the town of Clinton from the state standard space specifications in the calculation of the grant for the new construction project of the Morgan School.

“Working with Tom Vicino and the building committee has allowed this project to go forward. This almost $64 million project originally had the town come up with around $40 million. Tom Vicino was able to lower the reimbursement where Clinton now has to come up with $30-32 million,” said Willie Fritz, 1st Selectman Town of Clinton. “Thanks to Tom and his efforts at the Legislature, Clinton is saving $8-$10 million.”

"Throughout the building project, Tom has been extremely supportive, demonstrating his ability to gather the critical facts and communicate effectively with the House Leadership in order to move the Morgan School project forward,” said Jack Cross, Superintendent Clinton Public Schools. “His support for change in the reimbursement rate and his efforts to have the space waiver approved has significantly reduced the tax burden on Clinton residents."

Tom Vicino represents the 35th Assembly District of Clinton, Killingworth and Westbrook, and serves on the Commerce, Environment and Planning & Development Committees.