Witt School and Furnace Ave. Updates

This week was full of pragmatic updates. As the Town gears up to begin remediation work on the Witt School in July, it also held an information meeting to talk about the process in place to keep nearby neighbors safe.

“You can’t imagine how happy I am to be standing here tonight,” said Amber Wakley-Whaley, Stafford’s Director of Grants and Community Development, who has also been working on the Witt School remediation project for years. Back in 2019, the building was assessed, and now work is finally getting underway. 

According to Craig Miner, a senior project manager at Weston & Sampson, an engineering and environmental consulting firm, there will be “stringent oversight and processes” in place. From HEPA filters to full negative pressure to proper disposal the asbestos, lead paint, and PCBs being removed from the building will be contained and removed. 

No road closures will be necessary, but there will be plenty of trucks and other equipment in place throughout the summer. And, as Roger Ingraham, who lives nearby, confirmed, the fence enclosing the work area will likely engulf the sidewalk in front of the school—so if you were hoping to enjoy a concert from the sidewalk this summer, you may be out of luck.

One commenter online wanted to know if townspeople would be able to sled on the hill this winter. Miner said, “If it snows.” 

The phase of remediation will only include the interior of the building. Next year, the roof will be replaced, and a few areas where asbestos is present will be remediated at that time. Watch the full meeting to get into more detail:

Furnace Avenue

Over at Furnace Avenue, Phase 2 of work—which encompasses the area from Route 190 to Edgewood Street— won’t begin until, at least, 2027. And, remember, this is actually a three phase project, so there’s even more to come.

Director of the Department of Public Works, John Whetton, reminded residents that the project is funded by the Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program (LOTCIP) through the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG).

Cardinal Engineering’s Joe Cermola told resident gathered for the meeting that the project’s purpose is to provide better access to the commercial area of downtown, a better thruway to Route 319, and a better connect to the school and library complex. He noted crumbling and narrow sidewalks along this portion of Furnace Avenue. Inadequate curb reveals, he said, may be responsible for sidewalk flooding during storms. Upgrades to the drainage system will also aim to address water runoff during 10-year storm events.

Cermola said shoulders will be added to the road to allow more room for bicyclists to safely, which has been a problem in the past. In 2022, a bicyclist was struck by a vehicle on Furnace Avenue. In fact, Cermolla said there had been six accidents on Furnace Avenue. Sidewalks will be pushed back from the edge of the road with a grass strip added between pedestrians and traffic. The road will be widened to a uniform 30 feet—some sections are now only 24 feet wide. Four feet shoulders will make it safer for cyclists.

The Connecticut DOT will be contacting property owners to negotiate easements. And a wetlands permit will be needed.

Donna Wright, who is president of Stafford Garden Club, asked if the cherry trees in front of American Woolen would be cut down. She noted that the trees are not in great condition. Whetton said the decision has not been fully made. Cermols noted that the sidewalk can’t be raised there because of the building entrances. Whetton pointed out that because of ADA concerns and the fact that the tree roots are lifting the sidewalk, the future for those trees may not be bright. They could be replaced with smaller trees.

There were plenty of other questions, so be sure to check in with the meeting recording.