Merritt Blvd to Get a Makeover

As it turns 40, the road leading to Trumbull Corporate Park is looking patchy.

But the town will rip up and repave a 3/4-mile stretch of Merritt Boulevard using money already in the budget and a grant. That means no bonding, because the grant covers 80 percent of the $1.4 million cost.

"We have talked about having to repave for years," Town Engineer Steve Savarese said at a sparsely attended informational meeting in Town Hall.

Deborah Cox, the town's Economic Development director, added that the work is considered green because the current road material will be reused in the paving. It is part of the town's five-year Capital Plan.

Attending was Ray Baldwin Jr., the former first selectman and president and chief executive officer of St. Vincent's Special Needs, one of the businesses in the complex.

"Obviously it's dated and it's in bad repair. We're very happy they're going to reclaim this," Baldwin said.

Bill Baer from Perira Engineering, representing the Digital Realty Group, also approved of the work.

Other businesses in the complex are Unilever, Gartner, Digital Realty, Select Business Solutions, Field Brothers, Peco Pallet, Home Instead Senior Care, Special Olympics, Gen Re, Connecticut Magazine, New Horizon, Bargain News, Stamford Demolition, NovaMed, Mahle and Omaha Mutual, Cox said.

The work could start in summer and take as long 60 days, Savarese said.

The Town Council recently gave its seal of approval for the work.

"I definitely think it will generate jobs and hopefully grow the Grand List," said Council Vice Chairwoman Suzanne Testani, R-1.

Council Member John DelVecchio Jr., D-4, agreed. "Infrastructure is vital. It's not a want, this is a need," he said.

The town is competing with Shelton and won the last of the funding, Cox added.

"Shelton was waiting for this money," she told the council.