Trumbull May Sue to Halt Magnet School

Trumbull is considering suing for an injunction to halt the construction of the Fairchild Park magnet school while several lawsuits are pending against that project.

Trumbull has filed two suits against the project on environmental grounds. Another Trumbull resident has Intervenor status.

But Trumbull First Selectman Tim Herbst said he is confident it won't come to that because negotiations continue with the former state Department of Environmental Protection for Trumbull to lease a 20-acre state-owned parcel across the road. He said an agreement could be struck by Dec. 31.

The parcel is usable, Herbst said. But some, like his democratic opponent for first selectman, disagree. Municipal elections take place Nov. 8.

Regardless, construction will continue, said Mark Linabury, a spokesman with the Connecticut Department of Education.

"Despite any locally generated lawsuits, this was a plan that was approved by the commissioner of Education, endorsed by the municipality and has partners that are counting on the magnet school to developed and implemented. That project will be moving forward."

So far, ground has been broken and trees are being cleared on the site off Quarry Road, and one neighbor has complained about the blasting noise.

Attorney Bob Nicola of Owens, Schine & Nicola, representing the town, said "I think it's outrageous to go ahead with the legal issues unsolved," especially since they are environmentally based.

"I've never seen anything like this in terms of not following the process," he said.

Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch said through his spokeswoman that:

"We have all the necessary permits in place, and we are complying with the conditions they impose. We are moving forward with the state’s consent and funding, and we look forward to constructing this 1500-seat high school for all eight of the towns it will benefit -- Fairfield, Stratford, Bridgeport, Shelton, Trumbull, Monroe, Easton and Milford.”

The magnet school will have three magnets of 500 students each, 70 percent of whom will come from Bridgeport. Trumbull will also have some seats. The state is paying the $126 million construction cost for the school, which will employ green technology.

Trumbull used to lease the school's land (it was owned by the state DEP), but emergency legislation redrew the boundary so Bridgeport controlled the land. Trumbull was given the right to negotiate "in good faith" for control of the 20-acre parcel on which sits a Bridgeport Parks Department building.

A 10 a.m. meeting regarding the school is scheduled for Saturday at the Helen Plumb Memorial Building with Incumbent Town Councilmen Tony Scinto and Chad Ciocci.