Preston selectmen races focus on future of former hospital site

Preston — The redevelopment of the former Norwich State Hospital property has been the focus of the upcoming election.

The candidates for first selectman, Timothy Bowles and incumbent Robert Congdon, have two very different visions for the site, but both agree it's the town's top priority.

Democratic candidate Bowles wants a local, regional, state and federal partnership to create a clean energy research and development complex. He suggests working with universities and vocational schools on a cluster focused on fuel cells, photo voltaic technology, wind turbines and other renewable energy systems. He hopes to incorporate an educational and training component with clean-energy light manufacturing. Bowles said there is potential for skilled jobs and for grants.

"I feel like I have a better vision for the Norwich State Hospital than what's been proposed so far," Bowles said. "I think it's time for a change and our team can provide stronger and creative leadership."

Bowles admits that the biggest challenge with his proposal is getting enough support from local, state and foreign investors. Also, he said, raising money for the cleanup of the 390-acre site, which is estimated at almost $30 million, will be difficult.

Congdon, the Republican candidate and 14-year incumbent, said he welcomes Bowles' ideas, but thinks it's not prudent to be so specific about development at the site.

"We could seek proposals from those companies, but ultimately the redevelopment of the site is going to be market-driven," Congdon said. "We have to be broad enough in our approach so we can take advantage of the marketplace."

Congdon favors working with the Preston Redevelopment Agency, which was formed shortly after taxpayers voted to purchase the hospital property. The agency is in charge of marketing the property and has been active in securing grants for remediation of the site. It is working on a conceptual plan which will be presented for approval by the end of the year. If the plan is approved by voters, the agency will seek requests for proposals from developers.

"The prudent method is to develop the property, clean it up and demolish the buildings in a phased manner," Congdon said. "We've gotten good feedback from various state agencies on that approach."

Congdon touts his involvement with various regional organizations and his experience and knowledge about the problems facing the town.

Congdon has been involved in town politics since 1984, serving on the Planning and Zoning Commission and then the Board of Finance and finally as first selectman. He was a state representative from 2002 to 2004.

Congdon said the issues when he ran for first selectman 14 years ago are the same ones that need addressing now. Managing the town in a fiscally responsible way is important, as well as economic development at the hospital property. He said he also wants to consolidate some of the services with the town and the Board of Education to save money. "A lean, mean budget is going to be critical," Congdon said.

Bowles has served on several of the town's commissions. He recently retired after working 29 years for the state and has experience as statewide coordinator for regional planning agencies for the state's Office of Policy and Management. He was chairman of the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund.

Bowles said he is concerned with taxes; maintaining a tight budget; and farmland and open space preservation.

Bowles is running with Walter Kornosewicz, who serves on the Board of Education and Building and Facilities Committee, and Congdon is running with incumbent Selectman Michael Sinko. Sinko is a former co-chairman of the Norwich Hospital Advisory Committee and chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission, where he served for 12 years.

Kornosewicz said he wants to concentrate on keeping taxes low, consolidating town services and strengthening communication between the various town agencies and boards.

"There are a lot of things in town that haven't been tried before," Kornosewicz said. "I'm willing to listen to options and willing to look at new ideas."

Sinko said he wants to look at ways for town departments to collaborate and wants to include the school system in that. He also wants to clean up the hospital property at a minimum cost to taxpayers.

"I've been in this position for the last two years. I'd like to keep things going," Sinko said.

a.renczkowski@theday.com