Chelmsford Gets Money for Katrina Road Cleanup

October 6, 2010 : Chelmsford Independent, by Monica Jimenez

Chelmsford — Lt. Gov. Tim Murray presented Chelmsford with a Brownfields Support Team (BST) award on Tuesday, Oct. 5 at the former Silicon Transistor Corp. site on Katrina Road. The site is one of six in the state that will receive funding for cleanup, renovation and redevelopment.

The town-owned Katrina Road property was used for manufacturing, which resulted in contamination to soil and groundwater. At Tuesday's ceremony, Chelmsford and state officials expressed hope that work on the site would resolve safety concerns and promote local economic growth.

Lt. Gov Tim Murray said old industrial sites are challenging to redevelop but also present job opportunities. Actual cleanup efforts will employ many local construction workers and the business that eventually claims the location will hire Chelmsford residents.

“We are excited, but we're not going to rest until everyone who can and wants to work is working,” Murray said.

Murray praised Town Manager Paul Cohen and representatives Tom Golden, Cory Atkins and Jim Arciero for their teamwork with the state. As mayor of Worcester, Murray recalled, he gathered key town officials to solve problems. The BST, which brings many state agencies together with local leaders and groups, is driven by the same cooperative spirit.

“These tough projects require people to work together around the table,” Murray said. “Chelmsford is leading the way in that effort.”

Cohen said the site's location near two highways would help business thrive. He predicted the current building will be razed, creating temporary construction jobs, after which the newly clean site can be put on the market.

Cohen thanked town officials such as Community Development Director Evan Belansky and Town Engineer Jim Pearson, reminding those assembled that local efforts as well as state aid were necessary to bring the Katrina Road project to this point.

Tanya Hartford of Mass Development praised Chelmsford for rising to the challenge and announced the Katrina Road property to be a 43D priority site for the state.

“I've always been impressed by this town's ability to listen to the advice given and move forward,” Hartford said. “That was a big drive in garnering support from state agencies.”

State Rep. Tom Golden thanked Murray for supporting the Katrina Road project as well as the Parkhurst Road development three years ago. He said Murray has always proven readily available to Chelmsford despite the number of towns and cities he serves and never fails to return a call.

“The Lieutenant Governor pays attention to what happens right here in Chelmsford,” Golden said. Turning to Murray, he added, “Thank you so much for always picking up that phone.”

© Copyright 2010 Chelmsford Independent.