New Horizons Village Receives $75K Grant

Unionville – New Horizons Village Unionville – The Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA) awarded New Horizons Village a capital improvement grant of $75,000. David Wasch, Government Programs Specialist/Legislative Liaison, presented the check to New Horizons’ Chairman of the Board, Miguel Diaz, staff, and residents on Tuesday, January 7, 2014. The monies will be applied to a comprehensive energy project designed to decrease energy consumption, increase efficiency, and decrease New Horizon’s carbon footprint.  The project targets conversion to natural gas, high efficiency gas boilers, HVAC controls, insulation and lighting.  The $75K CHEFA grant will specifically purchase four high efficiency boilers which will in-turn provide heat for 19 apartments; or 38 people.

“The energy project, on which Facility Physical Plant Manager Robert Storrs, World Energy Solutions, Inc., and various other contractors are working meticulously, also includes the upgrade of the HVAC control system, transition to reduced watt fluorescent lamps and low power ballasts, and - most importantly - the switch from oil to natural gas. Upon completion, projected to be the fall 2014, the Village will be operating with economic and environmental efficiency and resident life will improve through the increased control over air and water temperature in the community building and resident apartments” cited Michael B. Shaw, Executive Director.

World Energy has worked tirelessly on behalf of New Horizons to identify and prioritize energy needs. They have worked with Connecticut Light & Power and Connecticut Natural Gas to qualify New Horizons Village for as many State of Connecticut incentive programs as possible.  The remaining cost of the project is to be funded with grant dollars (several applications are outstanding) and financing through the recently Town of Farmington approved C-Pace program managed by Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority.   

New Horizons Village is a 68-unit, fully accessible, barrier free living apartment complex designed for adults with physical disabilities.  Opening in 1986, the Village consists of twelve building nestled upon 26 acres in the picturesque Unionville area of Farmington.  Support services including transportation, personal care attendants, 24 hour emergency personal services, health services, and maintenance services.  The Village is funded through a State Supplement to the disabled program.  For more information about New Horizons Village please see www.newhorizonsinc.org

CHEFA is a quasi-government agency created to help Connecticut based non-profit organizations raise the funds needed to meet their goals of improving the health and education of the citizens of this state. CHEFA provides Connecticut’s nonprofit organizations access to low cost financing in public municipal markets.  For more information about CHEFA please visit http://www.chefa.com

Photo: from left to right front row to back, Virginia Gallo, Julia Phillips, Catherine Wojnoski, Debra Shaffer, Richard Hoch, Miguel Diaz, Nancy Vest, Joseph Kuzda, Carmen Myers, Michael Shaw, David Wasch, Michael Demicco, Carol Kirkwood, and Robert Maher