Malloy spokesman: Rell ‘cared little’ about Governor’s Residence

990 Prospect Street

Install timer on waterfall. Refurbish pool area lion-head fountain. Replace pool house French doors.

These were three of the 47 work orders on 990 Prospect Street – the state-owned home where Gov. Dannel Malloy and his family are living – pending on July 26, according to documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request.

The Department of Public Works, which was absorbed by the Department of Administrative Services on July 1, has archived 54 completed work orders between January and July 26.

DPW also power washed the patio steps, the lion head fountain and other areas near the pool.

Some of the requests were mundane. On July 12, for example, the residence lost hot water.

Others, such as refurbishing the pool area waterfall, highlight the historic and unique setting of the residence.

In February, DPW employees went to Rentschler Field to pick up four TVs and bring them to the residence. State employees also repaired the legs on a piano at the residence.

DPW employees made 17 trips to John Boyle Company for painting supplies for the residence between February and May, spending more than $3,100.

State employees painted the walls, ceiling and trim in the following rooms:

• Master bedroom and bathroom
• Northwest bedroom and bathroom (second floor)
• Northeast bedroom and bathroom (second floor)
• Sitting room (second floor)
• Sitting room bathroom (second floor)
• Middle bedroom (second floor)
• Middle bathroom (second floor)
• Library
• Living room

DPW removed wallpaper from six rooms and took down fabric from the dining room walls. Workers also painted the family room, metal awning supports and trim near the rear patio and front entrance.

“It’s not news that Governor Malloy and his wife, Cathy, actually live at the residence, and want to make it more accessible and available to the public,” said Colleen Flanagan, Malloy’s director of communications. “For years, the residence has been treated as a third rail, and the prior administration – which apparently cared little about the upkeep of the residence – deferred the necessary upkeep and maintenance of the building and grounds simply so they could look as though they were being fiscally prudent, while knowing ultimately that these projects would need to be done, though during someone else’s administration.”

“Conversations about some of these projects began under the Rell Administration but ultimately the work began and payment was made during the Malloy Administration,” Flanagan said. “Governor Malloy accepts responsibility for the state fixing a leaky roof, pruning branches over power lines, replacing temporary insulation and doing other maintenance, upkeep and security work at the residence to keep this building open and accessible to the public and its historic value maintained.”

Since January, the state has spent almost $80,000 on security upgrades. In addition to the three payments to ADT, state workers also responded to security-related work requests at the residence.

The state also spent $23,000 on an “existing conditions assessment” of the residence.

CT Mirror previously reported on $57,000 in state spending on the residence, “including $44,000 on an air-handling unit, $2,000 on a hot-water heater and $11,351 to refinish hardwood floors.” The Mirror also reported on a first-floor makeover paid for by Connecticut Cottages & Gardens magazine.

According to receipts obtained through the FOIA request, the state also paid:

• $11,228.22 for tree removal
• $2,577.88 to clean and repair oriental rugs
• $2,552 to replace temporary insulation
• $1,954.20 to sweep and maintain the chimneys
• $1,336.62 for a new door
• $335 to recalibrate the oven temperature which was off by 75 to 100 degrees

Work on the roof began in December when Gov. M. Jodi Rell still lived in the residence and continued into Malloy’s tenure, costing about $5,250. Additional emergency roof work done in June cost about $1,700

In addition to the tree removal, the state spent about $2,300 for landscaping materials, including $62 for cow manure.

DPW also:

• Made repairs on the guest house, such as installing a new storm door
• Built four window air conditioner mounts for second floor bedrooms
• Repaired outside metal patio furniture
• Built two wooden tables and two mirrors