Tetreau: State Pushes Metro Center Opening to Dec. 5

The , originally slated for Oct. 31, has been postponed again -- from Dec. 1 to Dec. 5, First Selectman Michael Tetreau confirmed at the Board of Selectmen meeting Wednesday.

Those who frequent the town’s Metro Center FAQ webpage already knew this, but Tetreau added some context to the decision.

"The state is pushing very hard right now to make it [the opening] Dec. 5," he said. "I don’t know what the significance of Dec. 5 is" -- as opposed to Dec. 1.

Tetreau assured that the delay had nothing to do with contractor issues or construction, but rather that state wants the easements to transfer the parking lot from the town to the state be executed be done before opening the station.

The negotiations for the $3 million the state is granting to the town are also being arranged at the same time the easements are, according to Tetreau.

being investigated and repaired by Metro North have bene fixed, Tetreau added.

He said there are a lot of "little things" that need to be taken care of in preparation for the station’s opening -- but not so many "big" hurdles to jump before the train station can open.

[Editor's Note: Updates on other topics discussed at the Board of Selectmen meeting -- the reports made by Deputy Fire Chief Art Reid on Tropical Storm Irene and the October snowstorm -- will be published Monday.]