Trumbull finance panel approves $30,000 for interior surveys, hazardous-materials testing at vacant properties

The Town of Trumbull Finance Committee on July 8 unanimously approved a $30,000 appropriation from the fund balance to pay for interior surveys and hazardous-materials testing at several long-vacant properties. The motion to approve Resolution TC31-47 was moved by Richard Wolf and seconded by Mary Isaac and carried by unanimous consent.

Public Works Director George Estrada told the committee the properties have been vacant for several years and that neighbors and police have consistently reported safety concerns and repeated callouts to the area. Estrada said the planned survey will inspect interiors and include lead-paint and asbestos analysis intended to quantify likely remediation costs.

Committee members noted the town lacks the necessary credentials to perform the interior testing and that the work must be done by a state-licensed provider. The firm to perform the survey is a pre-qualified vendor previously used by the Board of Education for similar services, and prior work on these properties had been limited to exterior surveys.

With the appropriation approved, staff are expected to engage the state-licensed vendor and proceed with the interior inspection and hazardous-materials testing to determine remediation needs and estimated costs. The committee did not disclose a timeline for completing the survey or for subsequent remediation decisions.