Bonding Commission rejects new lab

Hartford, Conn. (WTNH) - The State Bonding Commission has rejected a $68 million proposal for a new infectious disease laboratory in Rocky Hill.

The state Department of Public Health has been working for nearly five years to establish a new public health laboratory. The one on Clinton Street near the State Capitol is, according to the department, in danger of being decertified. This is the lab that did the testing back in 2001 when anthrax was found in the state. It also does the tests for influenza strains and other public health concerns.

The Rell Adminstration wants to build the new lab on the west side of the Veteran's Home and Hospital property in Rocky Hill. It's a 23-acre site that the state already owns.

Town leaders say they just found out about it.

"If there's an anthrax scare or there's some powder substance, is that mean we have proper ventilation that's going to be out there? These are concerns that were never notified the town residents of Rocky Hill," said Rep. Tony Guerrera (D-Rocky Hill).

Cameron Staples (D-New Haven) is co-chair of the legislature's Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee. He also is on the Bonding Commission and voted today to stop the project.

"The Adminstration refuses to share their agenda until five days before a meeting. That causes there to be a lot of questions that come up," he said.

Rell says there has been public notice, but apparently has now relented to a quick public meeting to answer questions.

"We have a bid that has come in $12 million lower than what was expected and, frankly, that is $12 million in savings for our taxpayers," she said.

Representatives Staples and Guerrera say there's plenty of time to have a public meeting in Rocky Hill and bring this matter up again before the bid expires. Some say these kinds of controversies could be avoided if Rell's office released the agenda 30 days in advance.