Legislation May Help Town Acquire and Clean Up Frismar Property

The Town of Haddam may be able to acquire the former Frismar property without acquiring the liability of cleaning up the burned down and contaminated old factory thanks to a new piece of legislation making its rounds in Hartford. 

According to a report in the Hartford Courant, legislation has just passed both houses that would give municipalities “immunity from liability in assuming ownership” of brownfields, or former industrial sites, and give them a better shot in getting cleanup funds. 

The report says the Higganum Visioning Group is eyeing the 12-acre property, which sits on the Connecticut River, for a nature park with hiking trails and a canoe launch. Clean up estimated to be more than $2 million and if the bill becomes law, it will let the Town of Haddam begin foreclosure proceedings, which is the first step in the journey toward a nature park. 

The Higganum Vision Group is hosting a walking tour of the Higganum Cove on Saturday, June 22, at 10 a.m. beginning near 14 Depot Road. Dress for rough, overgrown terrain. 

 Click here to read the full report in the Hartford Courant.