NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
Posting Date April 21, 2022
Town of Westbrook
866 Boston Post Road
Westbrook, CT 06498
On or about May 20, 2022, the Town of Westbrook will submit a request to the Department of Housing (DOH) for the release of $ 1,500,000.00 of Federal funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (PL 93-383), to undertake a project known as Worthington Manor Improvements, 34 Worthington Drive, Westbrook, CT for the purpose of performing a variety of repairs and system upgrades, including but not limited to addressing life safety measures, ADA improvements, installation of new roofing, window replacement, heating system upgrades, and quality of life improvements. The project will utilize Small Cities Community Development Block Grant funds. Total project cost is estimated at $1,321,000.00.
The activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) requirements. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) respecting the within project has been made by the Town of North Haven which documents the environmental review of the project and more fully sets forth the reasons why such Statement is not required. The ERR that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at Westbrook Town Hall, First Selectman’s Office, 886 Boston Post Road, Westbrook, CT and may be examined or copied Monday-Wednesday 9:00-4:00 Thursday,
9:00-7:00, Friday 9:00-noon.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
All interested agencies, groups and persons disagreeing with the ERR decision are invited to submit written comments for consideration by the Town of Westbrook to the First Selectman's Office. Such written comments should be received at the First Selectman's Office, 886 Boston Post Road, Westbrook, CT on or before May 16, 2022. All such comments so received will be considered prior to authorizing submission of a request for a release of funds or taking any administrative action on the within project prior to the date specified on the proceeding sentence.
Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The Town of Westbrook will undertake the project described above with Block Grant funds from the Department of Housing under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. The Town of Westbrook is certifying to the State that the Town of Westbrook and John Hall III, in his official capacity as First Selectman, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to environmental reviews, decision, making and action; and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. The legal effect of the certification is that upon its approval the Town of Westbrook may use the Block Grant funds and the state and HUD will have satisfied their responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and related laws and authorities.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
The state will accept objections to its release of fund and the Town of Westbrook’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are one of the following bases:
- The certification was not in fact executed by the Town of Westbrook Certifying Officer.
- The Town of Westbrook has failed to make one of the two findings pursuant to S58.41 or to make the written documentation decision required by, 58.53 or 58.64 for the project, as applicable.
- The Town of Westbrook has omitted one or more of the steps set forth at Subparts F and G for the preparation and completion of an EA.
- No opportunity was given to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation or its Executive Director to review the effects of the project on a property listed on the National Register of Historic Places or found to be eligible for such listing by the Secretary of the Interior, in accordance with 36 CFR Part 800.
- The recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of the release of funds and approval of the Environmental Certification by HUD or the State.
- Another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality.
Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58 See. 58.76) and shall be addressed to the Department of Housing, Small Cities Program 505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT 06134.
Objections to the release of funds on bases other than those stated above will not be considered by the state. No objection received after June 10, 2022, will be considered by the state. Potential objectors should contact the Department of Housing to verify the actual last day of the state comment period.
John Hall III, First Selectman, Town of Westbrook
886 Boston Post Road, Westbrook, CT 06498