Land Swap Moves Forward

Update, 5:30 p.m.

The state House of Representatives has approved the proposed land swap and it awaits approval by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, First Selectman Tim Herbst reported.

Herbst said he was "very pleased, very happy," and called the approval a "win-win."

"I appreciate the help," he said of the school's supporters. He added that he expected Malloy would approve the swap.

Herbst has also issued a press release in a PDF format.

Original Story

With a week before the Planning and Zoning Commission's next meeting, the state Senate has approved a land swap bill that could ease the passage of a magnet school proposed for Fairchild Memorial Park.

Sens. Anthony Musto, D-Trumbull, and Ed Gomes, D-Bridgeport, issued a press release Wednesday afternoon.

The bill will move the boundary between Trumbull and Bridgeport. Fairchild Memorial Park, 28 wooded acres of state land near Old Town Road, would transfer to Bridgeport and the 20-acre Bridgeport Parks and Recreation property on Trumbull Road would become Trumbull's, according to the press release.

“This bill makes way for Bridgeport to construct and operate this school while removing some of the issues that Trumbull had about the plan,” Musto said. “This is an important project. This school represents a critical new component of our local education system and will make a huge difference in the lives and futures of thousands of kids.”

 “Bridgeport needs this school,” Gomes said. “This bill lets construction move forward. Without it, we as a community stand to lose out of a lot of opportunities. I’m glad we took up this bill today, and I’m hopeful that the House will pass it as well and that the governor will sign it into law.”

The legislative session ends June 8 but the zoning commission must vote on the proposal by April 22. It next meets April 20 in .

A successful swap means Bridgeport will pay less money in pilot fees and zoning fees to Trumbull, and it would remove the need for an intermunicipal emergency services agreement.

The 1,500-student magnet school would have three magnets serving 500 students each in Information Technology, aerospace and natural science.

Seventy percent of students would come from Bridgeport, and 49 to 150 from Trumbull. The state would pay the $126 million for construction and fund the school. Bridgeport would supply emergency services. It would have green technology and a small footprint.

While the school has been praised by educators, contractors and parents, park neighbors have signed a petition opposing the site because of additional traffic and construction noise, among other things.

First Selectman Tim Herbst has praised the school but asked for about $5 million in upgrades to emergency service radios and roads if Trumbull is to be a secondary responder to the school.