Development of old brass mill makes sense, but more information...

To the question; "what impact would ethanol trucks have on local traffic?" Why not use the railroad to ship the ethanol?

Utilizing the railroad would minimize the effect on local traffic.

Who wrote this for the News-Times - the HVA? As the Editorial Board of the News-Times knows, the property must have a signed contract (not done yet), and then it must have a PUBLIC HEARING at the Town Council (not done yet), and then it must be approved by a Town meeting or a referendum (not done yet). Did the News-Times forget about the process? I doubt it...
Also, did the News-Times forget about the two public forums held over a year ago on the project? They had reporters there - I saw them!
Bad editorial, News-Times. But what's new - you're part of the "anything new must be bad" crowd.

Gteat a refinery in NEW MILFORD.
YOU HAVE LOST YOUR MINDS!

American Energy Enterprises made presentations to the Town Council and the Economic Development Commission in which all the questions in the article were asked. Where was the writer of this article at that time? They were answered to my satisfaction. Murphy has also been intimately involved in the process and I know she has and always will consider the overall welfare of our town as priority one. However, as a precaution the town can require in contract that AEE adhere to certain requirements. For example, train traffic can be limited to specific hours. The number of truck leaving the plant can be restricted during specific times and limited to maximum numbers of trucks per hour or day. There are also meters to measure the amount of smell and noise. If these requirements are not met fines can be imposed and if severe enough the operation can be stopped. Even if AEE is granted federal stimulus money’s the process is not yet final. The Town Council will have a final vote and the issue will be open to public scrutiny.

"... what impact would increased railroad traffic -- from bringing in wood chips and other raw materials -- have in terms of noise pollution?"

It is railroad! The point of a RR is to transport material and people!

Doesn't the DNT support the effort to restore commuter rail service to New Milford?

One of the key reasons why this site is desirable is the direct link to rail lines. The rail runs right into the building. The News Times knows this - their reporters/editors have been in the building.

Also, if you think truck traffic will be a problem, think about the current Kimberly Clark plant. They supply the entire Northeast with tissue, yet their trucks/rail cars don't cause a problem. Or am I missing something????

Wake News Times - you are irresponsible.

I guess it's better that we send our soldiers to die in the Middle East to protect our oil supply than it is to generate our own energy. Let's send our money outside the country to countries who use it to support terrorists that fly planes into our skyscrapers instead of generating a few local jobs of our own.

Heaven forbid that we hear an occasional train go by on a train track. Thank you so much for protecting our interests, Congressman Murphy.

sau197 wrote:

Gteat a refinery in NEW MILFORD.
YOU HAVE LOST YOUR MINDS!

We're going to see many creative energy solutions in the next few years, including company-owned cogeneration plants (most of your electric bill goes to transmission charges, and companies can save 70% by generating their own), wind power (unless a senator blocks you from putting up windmills that block his view of the ocean), and plants such as this. We NEED these to take power off the grid and reduce oil consumption, perhaps shifting the energy to power electric vehicles that reduce pollution and save even more oil.

But the biggest obstacle to shaking ourselves loose from our addiction to foreign oil is NIMBY's like you who don't get that every town and city must do their part.

Creative indeed - more like Jack's magic beans...is it so hard to understand that you cannot make ethanol from suburban lawn clippings and dead leaves? Maybe this company will get the property for free, get a big Federal handout, pay themselves nice salaries and then walk away once the government money stops - but they will never, ever in a million years make ethanol on a competitive basis.

Are we going to talk this oppurtunity for our community to death.
The old plant is a blight on our map. A rememberance of when we had industry supporting our community. Jobs and income.
We aren'nt a one horse town anymore.
I'm sick of seeing good oppurtunities pass because of
someone or some organization intimadating so many of us.
We need to come into the 21st centuary,

Have you visited the KC plant recently -

KC eliminated one set of tracks and added to their truck lots

Not a Dumb Dumb wrote:

One of the key reasons why this site is desirable is the direct link to rail lines. The rail runs right into the building. The News Times knows this - their reporters/editors have been in the building.
Also, if you think truck traffic will be a problem, think about the current Kimberly Clark plant. They supply the entire Northeast with tissue, yet their trucks/rail cars don't cause a problem. Or am I missing something????
Wake News Times - you are irresponsible.

I would not trust any of you with EXPLOSIVES..your a bunch of idiots.

KA-BOOM...!!

Bananas and nimbys should not influence the decision makers.

We have KC, Neeltran, Nestle and other industrial companies what difference does it make.

What else can this site be used for?

We need more commercial tax base.

I don't understand why people think they should have a say in how the mill is used prior to the sale. The building has long been a burden on the taxpayers of New Milford and should be sold with all due diligence having been met.Whatever entity buys the mill will certainly be a less polluting neighbor than the previous owners. The sale should be done without the town taking back any type of mortgage. This should relieve those who think the town will have a long term interest in the site other than monitoring for pollution. Sell it and get it back on the tax rolls.

Miguel wrote:

Creative indeed - more like Jack's magic beans...is it so hard to understand that you cannot make ethanol from suburban lawn clippings and dead leaves? Maybe this company will get the property for free, get a big Federal handout, pay themselves nice salaries and then walk away once the government money stops - but they will never, ever in a million years make ethanol on a competitive basis.

Why do you care? Once the building is sold, does it matter of a failed ice cream venture bought the building or a failed ethanol plant? How are we being duped by selling the building outright and using the money to offset taxes?

Oh yeah, we need more jobs in town instead of 7,000 people a day driving south toward Danbury and points farther south.

How many of those people eat lunch out where they work?
How many do dry cleaning?
How many shop?
How many go to the dentist or doctor?

Keep the local economy booming.

Once again I am shocked by the outrageous positions taken by our current 5th District U.S. Congressman Chris Murphy. I have a successful thirty year international career in chemical plant operations, sales and marketing and have been following, with great interest, AEE's proposal to build a cellulosic ethanol plant at the old Century Brass brownfield site in New Milford. The public discussion has been terrific, but at the end of the day, it is a great example of American ingenuity and a grass roots movement to reverse America's dependence on foreign oil. Washington is not supporting expansion of nuclear energy, not supporting drilling in known domestic oil reserves, and now I hear that Mr. Murphy has had a change of mind regarding his willingness to support AEE to obtain federal funds for this local project that is important to New Milford, Connecticut, the Northeast and to America. Of course this project can not alone solve our country's energy dependence on countries who would seek to kill us and terminate our democracy. Years ago, I was a young salesman selling lubricants to Century Brass and heard rumors of their possible closing. When they did close, did anyone from New Milford say, "good riddance?" No, we didn't. We lost jobs and the tax benefit for a long time, too long. So, today, I ask you to stand together to support New Milford's continuing evaluation of AEE's proposal, say NO to Chris Murphy in the November 2010 election and say YES to U.S. Congressional candidates who support New Milford and the 5th District's economic development.