Update: We’re Not Abandoning Telescope Mountain Plans, Water Company Says

Yes, South Central Regional Water Authority is withdrawing an application to build a 2 million gallon water tank on Derby’s Telescope Mountain — but that doesn’t mean they no longer want to build a 2 million gallon water tank on Derby’s Telescope Mountain, a company spokesperson told the Valley Indy Wednesday.

Company officials plan to meet with neighbors who oppose the tank in April — and then submit a new application for the water storage tank in May.

Will that be on Telescope Mountain, too?

In all likelihood, it will be in roughly the same place,” company spokesperson Kate Powell said in an e‑mail Wednesday afternoon. We’ve been working to address the neighbors’ concerns, and taking into account what’s been said in the public hearings and what might come from the meeting in April, we hope to develop a proposal that all can agree with that will improve water service in that area.”

The news is disappointing — and confusing — for residents and Derby public officials who oppose the construction of a 2 million gallon water storage tank off Summit and Mountain streets.

The proposal was met with stiff opposition during two public hearings. Residents were especially concerned about the company’s plans to blast away rock atop Telescope Mountain, which is surrounded by hundreds of residential homes.

Derby Mayor Anthony Staffieri sent a prepared statement Wednesday morning praising the water company for withdrawing the application and listening to his suggestions.

I am pleased that the SCCRWA has responded to my concerns and those of the neighbors in this area. This is a win for the residents in this neighborhood,” he said. I met with SCCRWA and voiced my concerns at the public hearings and I am pleased that they have taken my suggestions in earnest.”

Staffieri’s most pressing suggestion was for the Regional Water Authority to look at spots other than Telescope Mountain.

The water company did not listen to that suggestion.

In an e‑mail exchange several hours after the Valley Indy published the mayor’s press release (under the Valley Indy headline Regional Water Abandons Plans For Telescope Mountain Water Tank In Derby”), the Regional Water authority said Telescope Mountain is still the best spot for the tank.

Telescope Mountain remains the best site for the water tank due, in part, to its elevation. A new plan for that site will take into account the concerns voiced by the Mayor and the neighbors,” Powell said.

Staffieri’s press release was based off a one-page letter the water company sent to Derby City Hall March 11.

In that letter, Edward O. Norris, the water authority’s vice president of asset management, informed Staffieri the company was withdrawing its application for the water tank.

It is clear that you, our neighbors and customers have significant concerns with the current application and SCCRWA is working hard to address the issues raised at both public hearings,” Norris stated in the letter.

Given the level of opposition at the public hearings on the water storage tank, it remains to be seen how Regional Water will address the neighborhood’s concerns, short of looking at other sites suggested by Derby City Hall.

Sheila O’Malley, the mayor’s chief administrative officer and the city’s economic development director, said she was disappointed to hear that Regional Water is still talking about Telescope Mountain.

The mayor will continue to oppose the proposed location. The mayor feels that there are other locations which would be more suitable. He would like them to be more creative. He thinks their proposal is myopic,” O’Malley said.

The initial letter from the water company to the mayor is embedded below, followed by the mayor’s press release on the subject, sent Wednesday morning.

The third embedded document is a press release from the Regional Water Authority, sent Wednesday afternoon.

Finally, the Valley Indy’s original report from Wednesday morning is posted after the docs.

SCCRWA Rescind Letter

SCCRWA Withdraw

Regional Water Statement

The original story published by the Valley Indy at 8:46 a.m. March 13 follows:

The South Central Regional Water Authority will withdraw its controversial application to build a 2 million gallon water storage tank on top of Telescope Mountain, Mayor Anthony Staffieri announced Wednesday morning.

The water company sent Staffieri a letter Monday (March 11) saying they will look elsewhere in Derby for the tank.

A new application could be submitted to the Derby Planning and Zoning Commission at a later date, according to a press release from Staffieri.

The water company wanted to build the tank to bolster water service in Derby — particularly to Griffin Hospital. Downtown Derby has water pressure problems whenever one of the old, underground water mains breaks.

However, residents and public officials came out in force against the application during two public hearings on the application.

They said the tank’s construction, which would have included dynamite blasting, was far too intense for the densely populated neighborhood.

The water tank would have been built off Summit and Mountain streets.

The water company issued a prepared statement Wednesday afternoon confirming Staffieri’s news. A company spokesperson said Regional Water will resubmit an application in May — but, before that, they plan to meet with neighbors to discuss their plans in April.

It is clear that neighbors and customers have significant concerns with the application. The Authority is working hard to address the issues raised at both public hearings and plans to re-apply in the near future with an improved project design,” the company said in a statement.

In an effort to improve the project, the Authority will hold an informational meeting near the end of April to present their new plans and listen to the neighbors’ comments. The date for that meeting has not been set.”

The company said the ultimate goal is to provide better water service for Derby residents and businesses.

I am pleased that the SCCRWA has responded to my concerns and those of the neighbors in this area. This is a win for the residents in this neighborhood,” Staffieri said in a prepared statement.

I had a number of issues with this application, not the least of which is the effect this project would have had on quality of life of Derby residents,” Staffieri said. Our infrastructure could not withstand this type of traffic and the homes may have been compromised by this project.”

The mayor said he would work with Regional Water to find a better spot for the water storage tank.

SCCRWA Rescind Letter

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