This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Vote YES Today to Move the Pepper St Project Forward

Today Monroe voters are being asked to authorize borrowing or bonding in case it is needed at some point in time to fund a project to improve an area of Pepper St.  This authorization to bond is a requirement of the State and it does not mean that the Town will ever have to actually borrow or bond any amount of funds for this project.

The Town’s real cost of this project is only $500,000.  In return, we get a 9-to-1 match from our federal and state governments.  They pay $4,500,000 of this project.

This project will reconstruct the section of Pepper St from Jockey Hollow Rd to Cambridge Rd, because the base of the roadway has failed.  Yes, the town put down an inch of pavement a couple of years ago, but that was only to hold the road together until this project could take place. 

Find out what's happening in Monroewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

This project will also improve the Pepper St Route 25 intersection by adding a right turn lane from Pepper St to northbound route 25 and moving the driveway entrance to Tollgate Plaza back further away from route 25.

This project will also move the section of our trail off of Pepper St between Grant Rd and where the trail enters the woods just north of Northbrook.

Find out what's happening in Monroewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Some have questioned if the federal and state money will be available.  We were assured in a public meeting in July 2012 by state DOT officials and we were assured just last week by the Greater Bridgeport Regional Council (GBRC) that the funds are available.  In fact, detailed design work is ready to begin and a company has been chosen.  The money is now available to being paying for this work.

Some have questioned why the funds could not be used elsewhere in town.  If people attended the public meeting last week, they would have heard that these funds are for this project only because this project met the GBRC funding requirement.  People would also have heard that if we say no, some other town will get the funds, not us.  This is a use-it-or-lose-it option for Monroe.

Voting will be held at the Senior Center, 235 Cutlers Farm Road next to the main entrance to Wolfe Park, today February 4, 6am to 8pm. Please make the extra effort to come out and vote YES for this project that has been in the works for many years and which will benefit all drivers that use this section of Pepper St or that use our wonderful trail.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?