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Press Release: MDC Announces Completion of Durham Street Sewer Project

Press Release
Durham Street Information Flyer

First North Hartford sewer project completed ahead of schedule

(HARTFORD, CT) – The Metropolitan District (MDC) announced today that it recently completed the Durham Street Sewer Separation Project, the first of the North Hartford Sewer Improvement Projects, part of the $170 million Integrated Plan, a consent order with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP). The Integrated Plan is the current phase of the MDC’s Clean Water Project, a multibillion-dollar effort to reduce combined sewer overflows and improve the overall efficiency of the sewer system.

The Durham Street project, located in the Granby / Blue Hills area of North Hartford, broke ground in July of 2023 and included $1.9 million in sewer infrastructure improvements. In addition, private property protection for basements, lining of sewer house connection laterals as well as a new water main were part of the project. The project was completed a year and a half ahead of schedule. Project outreach by MDC staff and contractors was key to keeping residents informed throughout the construction process for both public right of way and private property improvements. Thirty-eight percent of the work hours on the project were performed by Hartford residents, exceeding the self-imposed goal of thirty percent set by the MDC. Two other sewer separation projects as well as three large scale sewer
rehabilitation projects are currently underway in North Hartford with more planned for 2025.

“Projects like Durham Street, combined with sewer rehabilitation projects and other private property work will continue to make substantial improvements to the infrastructure for our customers in North Hartford.
While I am pleased to have completed this first project, it is important to keep the momentum and progress moving,” said MDC CEO Scott Jellison.

MDC Chairman Donald Currey stated, “Maintaining partnerships with our customers, neighborhood groups, and state and local officials has helped the MDC demonstrate that we can get substantial projects completed
that meet our regulatory requirements, while providing a community benefit at the same time.”

Press Release: Rating Agencies Affirm MDC’s Strong Financial Position

Press Release
S&P Rating Report
Moody’s Rating Report

MDC receives high bond ratings prior to $82M sale and $21.9M refunding

(HARTFORD, CT) – The Metropolitan District (MDC) announced today that Moody’s Investors Service and S&P Global Ratings have released their ratings on organization’s outstanding and upcoming general obligation bond issues. 

Moody’s Investor Service affirmed its Aa2 rating and S&P Global affirmed its AA rating on the MDC’s outstanding general obligation bonds.  Both agencies maintained these ratings for the MDC’s upcoming new and refunding general obligation bond issue and provided a stable outlook.

The MDC sought these ratings in advance of an $82.0 million new money (series A) and $21.9 million refunding (series B) bond sale planned for August 8, 2024.  The new money bond issue will finance $61.8 million in water projects, $5.1 million in sewer projects, and $15.1 million in combined funding projects. The MDC will also refund the last 10-years of payments on the district’s 2014A general obligation bond issue.

The ratings from Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s represent a high-grade rating awarded by each of these agencies. Because of these ratings, the MDC is assured of receiving favorable interest rates when it issues bonds to finance its capital projects.

MDC CEO Scott Jellison stated, “I am proud to report these favorable ratings to our member towns, district board and bond holders. With a sound financial ground, we can better plan and execute the necessary infrastructure improvements for our communities.”

MDC Chairman Donald Currey said, “These ratings demonstrate our prudent fiscal management of our member towns and rate payers’ resources and ensures the lowest possible borrowing costs for the investments we make in our infrastructure.  Also, we continually look for opportunities to lower costs by refunding existing debt for lower rates.”

The rating reports issued by the two credit rating agencies present a thorough, objective, and independent analysis of the MDC’s financial operations and credit strength.

S&P Global Ratings indicated that its rating reflects the MDC’s “affluent service area, along with strong historical financial performance” and its debt service obligations benefit from management’s ability to finance its operations from a “diverse revenue stream [which] helps distribute costs over a wide base of users and helps with affordability considerations.”

Moody’s reports that its rating reflects the MDC’s “solid operating performance for sewer, water and clean water fund” and lists the MDC’s credit strengths to include an ample water supply and treatment capacity and healthy financial operations.

Public Notice of Permit Application to Construct and Operate a Solid Waste Facility

NOTICE OF PERMIT APPLICATION
Town: Hartford
Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan District (MDC; the “applicant”) of 555 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06103 has submitted to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection an application under section 22a-208a of the Connecticut General Statutes for a permit to conduct a regulated activity in the construction, alteration or operation of solid waste facilities.

Specifically, the applicant proposes to operate a soil storage facility (transfer station). Less than 75 tons of soil will be managed per day. This facility provides temporary storage for potentially polluted or contaminated soil that is generated by MDC sewer and water main repair and installations within its eight-member town area. Soil is delivered to this facility typically during normal work hours. Analytical characterization is completed at the facility for proper disposal. The proposed activity will take place at 125 Maxim Road, Hartford, Connecticut. This proposed activity will potentially affect: The Connecticut River.

Interested persons may obtain copies of the application from Mr. Andrew Perham, CHMM, at The Metropolitan District, 555 Main Street, Hartford, CT, 06103. Telephone: (860) 278-7850, ext. 3449.

The application is available for inspection at www.themdc.org/news and at the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Bureau of Materials Management and Compliance Assurance, Waste Engineering and Enforcement Division, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106-5127, telephone 860-424-3366 from 8:30 to 4:30 Monday through Friday.

Download Renewal for a Permit to Construct and Operate a Solid Waste Facility Application here