Crumbling Foundations 'Promised' to be Special Session Topic

HARTFORD, CT – Republican legislators on Wednesday called an amendment on the resolution that would authorize the General Assembly to include crumbling foundations as an issue to be considered during a special session.

State Rep. Tim Ackert, who reprsents parts of Vernon and Tolland, said House Majority Leader Matthew Ritter quickly assured Republican legislators that the House would be taking the crumbling foundation issue up during the special session as part of the budget implementation and bond authorization processes.

Thousands of homeowners in north central and eastern Connecticut may be impacted by the crumbling foundation issue, traced to a bad batch of concrete from a Stafford quarry used primarily in the 1980s and 1990s. The price tag to replace a crumbling foundation is upwards of $150,000, with little to no coverage from most insurance companies.

The amendment was withdrawn after the assurance from Ritter, according to Ackert.

“By withdrawing this amendment, we have taken the promise given to us and the entire chamber by Rep. Ritter in good faith that we will continue to have discussions on the best ways to mitigate this issue,” Rep. Ackert said.

Area legislators are trying to get some sort of relief program in place.

“This issue has been a massive concern of mine throughout this legislative session and I aim to keep those promises I’ve made to these individuals throughout the year,” Ackert said. “This collective body will continue to work together in order to come up with a resolution that best serves the people of Connecticut.”

In total, 19 pieces of legislation were introduced by lawmakers this session pertaining to crumbling foundations.

Patch File Photo