A sewage easement and access agreement may pave the way for Chemtura Corporation to expand facilities in Naugatuck.
The company applied for an easement to construct a sewer line through borough property as part of their plans to renovate building 310 as an updated research and development facility.
“Chemtura wants to start construction very soon,” said borough Attorney Ned Fitzpatrick. “We think this is a solid step forward.”
About 70 employees would relocate to Naugatuck from the chemical company’s offices in Middlebury, according to Attorney Holly Robinson, who represents Chemtura.
After months of hacking out the details, the borough finally came to an agreement with Chemtura.
The Board of Mayor and Burgesses voted Tuesday to execute all contracts with the company for the easements, which would allow the borough to access its sewer treatment plant through Chemtura’s property.
The town has had access to the property since 2001 when Chemtura merged with Crompton Manufacturing Company. Crompton bought 75 acres from Uniroyal Chemical, which previously operated the sewer plant.
The license was set to expire in 2021, so when Chemtura came to the town to get a sewage easement, representatives from Naugatuck worked out a deal to extend the access agreement indefinitely.
Under the new agreement, Naugatuck will accept about 500 kilograms of sludge per day from Chemtura at no charge, while Chemtura will allow Naugatuck’s trucks and personnel access to the treatment plant via a road through Chemtura’s property. The cost to the town may not exceed $50,000 annually or require an upgrade to Naugatuck’s current plant.
Chemtura reserves the right to change the location of the road should they wish to expand their operations.
“If the road we use now is not appropriate, they can relocate it. …We’ll locate in an area that is acceptable to both parties,” Fitzpatrick said.
The new road would probably follow the railroad tracks, he said.
He said he felt comfortable with the new agreement.
Previous discussions with Chemtura included the possibility that the company would sell part of its property to the town, but they decided to use that land to move some of their operations back to Naugatuck instead.
Attorney Holly Robinson, representing Chemtura, said the company still hopes to develop the rest of that land.
She said the company has a lot of ideas for development, but hasn’t made any definite plans as they recently emerged from bankruptcy.
“We have a lot of pipe dreams,” she said.
Naugatuck Mayor Bob Mezzo said he was glad to see a company investing in Naugatuck, after so many others have left.
“We’re happy to discuss accommodations that will bring jobs and tax revenue to the borough and at the same time provides town access,” he said.
