Fairfieldlooksat insurance with Penfield Pavilion project [Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.]

Journal Inquirer (Manchester, CT)

Jul. 13—Bremer said he's "confident" town officials will find an insurance provider for the project.

He said the town will only move forward with the project once they have that provider. He said Fairfield officials received insurance quotes from the Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency. The figures have not been released yet, as the town is "still working on those," Bremer said.

"It's not your typical cookie cutter kind of construction project, and I think as a result of that fact, I think that's what's causing a lot of pause in terms of the insurance and that sort of thing," he said at the meeting. "So yes, I'm concerned about it, but I'm not worried about it in the sense of 'Oh my God. We're going to be way over budget' or something like that."

Selectman Thomas Flynn said he's also worried about a likely rise in insurance costs leading up to September, but town officials can't avoid the forces of the market that are jacking up prices. He remains certain that Fairfield will find a provider.

"It is a very hard insurance market for property insurance right now, which means costs have escalated," Flynn said. "So I agree with Tom as regards the ability to get insurance, and eventually when they're willing to commit and get over the complexities of what's going on, we will be able to get insurance. I do believe that."

Bremer said construction will begin "shortly after" Labor Day to rebuild the foundation and dig up contaminated soil that traces back to Fairfield's toxic fill pile. The town's selectmen voted in March to renovate the beachside venue with a $10.5 million budget to remove the toxic waste and replace foundation beams that violated Federal Emergency Management Agency regulations.

The FEMA violations would have docked the town's flood insurance rating if the town didn't take action on the pavilion repair by the end of March.

Bremer said the final drawings of the site design will be completed by the end of July. He said he expects to receive a proposal from Race Engineering for the building's resiliency plan, and he will proceed to reach out to the Flood and Erosion Control Board for further consultation.

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