"We are not going to fund a dime to fix this drainage problem," Lathrop said, after a slide show featuring dramatic pictures of. street flooding.
About 90 people came to the coalition meeting at the Rose City Senior Center. Besides urging the passage of the resolution, the coalition asked that attendees sign a petition addressed toGov. John G. Rowland and the Connecticut Community College Board of Trustees, and send letters to the same. It also asked for donations to its Save Our Streets fund dedicated to supporting opposition to the project. The group has hired a hydrologist to study the drainage issue, said Judi Malone, a leader of the organization. The group also has hired a public relations firm and has an attorney.
The hydrologist has not finished studying the issue, she said, but he has initial concerns about the drainage lakes.
The resolution will not stop the college from expanding its campus, Donald Bebee, another coalition leader, said, but the City Council's opposition will be on record. He said he hopes that will be significant as the group battles to prevent the expansion.
"There is no reason the school should consolidate now," Malone said. Some stood up and gave fiery testimonies about the problems they already experienced because of traffic and drainage in the neighborhoods.
Mary English spoke about how she has increased the number of water
pumps in her basement.
"If your cellar is flooded, you have a foundation that is weakened and a
house that will eventually crumble," she said.
jbmiller@norwichbu1letin.com
Originally published Wednesday, June 25, 2003
Go
Back