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Questions? Contact us at info@northside4justice.org
*We allocate our funds for attorney fees and environmental experts
We are the Northside Abutters for Justice, a group of local residents who will be greatly impacted by the United Illuminating Monopoles project. We are facing easements imposed on our properties for a project that the citizens of Fairfield oppose. We are holding the line for all of you. We have uniformly denied United Illuminating access to our properties, but the clock is ticking, and we are the “Davids” in this David and Goliath scenario!
The goal of our group, as with all the others fighting the United Illuminating Monopoles Project, is to bury the lines and preserve the character of our town. It can be done, and it has been done in other places. UI is looking for the easy, cheap way to increase their revenues with zero concern for residents of the Town of Fairfield.
In February 2024, the CT Siting Council (CSC) issued a certificate to proceed with a project that had not been designed. There were no studies of environmental impact, no due diligence on the part of either the CSC or United Illuminating, and absolutely zero due process afforded the residents on the north side of the Metro North line who would be severely and forever affected by this grave miscarriage of their responsibility in defending the property rights of CT citizens.
Importantly, the CSC did this under the same docket number, so no new filings were required by UI (the applicant) and no new notices were required. The CSC granted permission for a facility that was rejected by UI earlier. Very little, if any, research done by UI was done on the properties now in question on the north side of the Metro North line.
The CSC has not used its immense powers wisely, judiciously, or in the interest of the citizens of the great state of Connecticut.
As a result of this egregious decision, the following events have taken place:
The Town of Fairfield has filed a legal appeal to reverse the decision of the CSC.
The City of Bridgeport has filed a legal appeal to reverse the decision of the CSC.
The State House of Representatives wrote new legislation to revise the CSC.
The Senate passed this legislation in May 2024 at 11:45 pm in a bipartisan effort.
Governor Lamont signed this into law in June 2024 against the wishes of the CSC, who petitioned him to veto this bill.
The briefs have now been filed with the New Britain Superior Court and a decision on whether the certificate will be revoked will be issued by the middle of April.
Group Identity: The Northside Abutters for Justice are local residents impacted by the United Illuminating Monopoles project. We are concerned about impending permanent easements on public and private properties for a project that was approved by the CSC but as of yet has not been designed. The United Illuminating Company was granted a certificate that is currently in review.
Group's Goal: The primary goal of the Northside Abutters for Justice is to preserve the historic integrity and natural environment of our community. We are committed to defending property owners, churches, libraries and associations against illegal trespassing while advocating for the protection of our community from the removal of trees, natural habitats and deforestation associated with land easements for public utility projects.
Call for Support: The group is seeking support from the friends of Fairfield to join their fight against the project, emphasizing the need for collective effort to prevail.