Informational Meeting Set For Tuesday To Discuss UI Plans In Fairfield

FAIRFIELD, CT — A Town Hall Public Information Session has been scheduled for April 30 on the United Illuminating monopole plan in Fairfield, organizers told Patch.

The meeting, organized by the grassroot nonprofit Empowering Fairfield, is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Roger Ludlowe Middle School in Fairfield.

"The grassroots non-profit Empowering Fairfield and other cultural, historic and religious groups, along with members of local government, will be communicating to the public about the Connecticut Siting Council’s February decision to move UI’s transmission line project to the north side of the railroad tracks in Southport, Fairfield and Bridgeport," Sean Kelly, one of the organizers with Empowering Fairfield, told Patch.

UI's plan, known as the Hannon-Morrissette Alternative proposal, would place dozens of tall monopoles, many possibly over 100 feet tall, to the north of the railroad tracks and the Post Road, which would carry high-voltage power lines through parts of town and Bridgeport.

Last month, the Town of Fairfield and, separately, a diverse group of intervenors both filed appeals in Superior Court against the Connecticut Siting Council's decision in favor of UI's plan. Not long after, the City of Bridgeport filed its own appeal against the proposal.

Additionally, legislation has been introduced in Hartford to reform the way the Siting Council operates. A vote on the legislation could happen in early May, News 12 Connecticut reported.

Below is the town's announcement of Tuesday's meeting:

The Town of Fairfield will hold a Town Hall/Public Information Session on United Illuminating’s plan to install monopoles on the north side of the railroad tracks on Tuesday, April 30 at 7:30 p.m. at Roger Ludlowe Middle School, 689 Unquowa Road in Fairfield. The meeting is scheduled to share information with Town residents about the Connecticut Siting Council decision approving the “Hannon-Morissette Alternative,” a new route for UI’s plan for monopoles that would construct a double-circuit design on the north side of the Metro-North Railroad tracks.

First Selectman Bill Gerber, Town of Fairfield attorneys, and a panel of intervenors and impacted organizations will discuss the monopoles and relevant issues, including the appeal in Superior Court challenging the legality of the Siting Council’s decision to grant UI a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need for the northern route.

There will be a Q&A session after opening remarks where the public can ask about issues such as UI’s Right of Entry requests, permanent easements on private property, UI’s stated timing on completing due diligence and design requirements, and bills in the state’s legislature that would restructure the Siting Council’s makeup, mission, and rules for considering municipalities’ concerns. Speakers that evening may include state Representatives Jennifer Leeper, Cristin McCarthy Vahey, Sarah Keitt, and state Senator Tony Hwang.

More information can be found on the Town of Fairfield website at News about the UI MonopolesProject (fairfieldct.org).

— Flyer from Empowering Fairfield