Crumbling Foundation Letter Sent to Governor

TOLLAND, CT — A letter has been sent to the Governor from the Town Manager Steve Werbner on behalf of the Ad-Hoc Working Committee on Crumbling Foundations, regarding crumbling foundation legislation.

Here is the text:

September 20, 2017
Governor Dannel Malloy
State Capitol
210 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106

RE: BUDGET AND CRUMBLING CONCRETE FOUNDATIONS

Dear Governor Malloy:

As you may know, the Capitol Region Council Government (CRCOG) created an ad-hoc
working group, which also includes the sixteen towns of the Northeastern Connecticut Council
of Governments, to address some of the more immediate issues with regards to crumbling
foundations. This group has met regularly and has been hard at work with regards to many
issues related to crumbling foundations. The CRCOG ad-hoc working committee applauds the
elevation of the crumbling foundations in both the democratic and republican budget.

As you and the legislature deliberate the entire budget, the committee would like to suggest the
following compromise on differing aspects of the two budgets as they related to crumbling
foundations:

1) Keep the $12 surcharge on policies. In the first year, 85% of this surcharge would help
homes with crumbling foundations, and the remainder would aid other home related
issues (such as those in New Haven, radon, lead and other abatement issues). The
committee believes that given the magnitude of the problem, this consistent source will
assist the maximum number of homeowners possible. The committee would recommend
increasing this percentage for crumbling foundations in subsequent years.

2) The committee supports the creation of an Office of the Executive Administrator of the
Crumbling Foundations Assistance program. The ad-hoc working committee believes
that if executed properly, this will be a more inexpensive administrative mechanism than
a captive insurance company.

3) The democratic budget also included additional bond funds for crumbling foundations.
The committee believes that this seed money will be critical in advancing the addressing
this very important economic issue for the state.

4) Both budgets propose the creation of quality control plans for quarries (either by DCP or
a working group). The committee supports the creation of a plan and will defer to
leadership for the best mechanism.

The committee supports the following that was in both budgets:

1) The waiving of state and municipal building fees as outlined in both budgets.

2) Creation of a low-interest loan program (Collapsing Foundations Credit Enhancements Program or Collapsing Foundation Interest Rate Reduction Program).

3) Prohibiting the use of recycled concrete that contains pyrrhotite.

4) Disclosure regarding pyrrhotite in real estate transactions
Once again, we wish to thank the leadership for the work done so far and we look forward to a
strong partnership to bring relief to our residents in need.

Patch File Photo