Providing Lake Zoar Access—

Selectmen Quick To Endorse Two Open Space Bonding Proposals

By John Voket

Nearly half of Newtown’s eastern border is bound by Lake Zoar, so it may seem strange that there has never been a single municipal beach or recreational boat launch on that waterfront. On Monday, however, selectmen took the initial steps toward securing two pieces of property that would provide residents with not only a public beach and boating facilities, but acres of land interlaced with hiking trails affording sweeping views of Lake Zoar as well.

During that same meeting the Board of Selectmen also formally endorsed a long-term bonding initiative that would provide $2 million per year over the next five years for other strategic open space acquisitions.

Few could argue that the former action could lead to one of the most advantageous private to public land investments in town history, possibly rivaling the recent acquisition of Fairfield Hills although the combined acreage of these latest tracts are dwarfed by the quantity of land on the former state hospital campus.

In the first action Monday evening, selectmen unanimously agreed to endorse a year-old plan requesting a special appropriation of $10 million for open space. According to First Selectman Herb Rosenthal, that bonding, at $2 million per year, would give town officials a financial advantage if presented with strategic opportunities to acquire land that might be ripe for residential development, or that afford significant public benefits.

“This is an authorization that has been discussed since last budget season,” Mr Rosenthal said during the meeting. “The Connecticut Trust for Public Land has been working with us for some time on this.”

Mr Rosenthal was quick to point out that even though an open space fund was proposed, the town charter stipulates that the bond authorization would still have to gain the endorsement of the Board of Finance, the Legislative Council, and the people themselves through a town meeting vote before selectmen are fully authorized to establish the fund.

The first selectman further clarified that if a parcel is presented for consideration, the purchase would require authorization of the Legislative Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission.

“Hopefully [if the bonding is approved], land owners will take us seriously and come to the town first if they are interested in getting fair value for their property while preserving it for future generations to enjoy,” Mr Rosenthal said. “Of course we’ll primarily consider properties that would bring a negative economic impact if sold for residential development.”

Selectman William Brimmer, who has long been an advocate for stepped-up open space acquisitions, hailed the move.

“I think this will be a great thing for the town,” he said. “At least it will begin moving us in the right direction.”

A more imminent proposed $2 million bond initiative has already been accounted for in the current municipal budget, Mr Rosenthal said. The money would be appropriated to acquire several parcels with waterfront exposure or access to Lake Zoar, along the southeastern border of Newtown.

The first parcel incorporates Eichler’s Cove and Marina, a private recreational area bordered by Old Bridge Road and the Halfway River.

“This parcel is 10.53 acres, and would include the marina, which has been operated successfully by family owners for more than 35 years,” Mr Rosenthal said. “It will also provide 160 boat slips, a beach area, picnic groves, and rental cottages.”

Mr Rosenthal said the town has had no developed public recreational access to Lake Zoar.

“There are a couple of old roads that lead down to the waterside, but this acquisition would give us recreational opportunities, whether the town runs it or we hire an outside vendor to run it for us,” Mr Rosenthal said. “My concern in moving this along is that if someone else bought it and put a house on it, we would lose the opportunity for public recreation options.”

The marina and recreational area consists of a 3.2-acre parcel with an additional 7.3 acre parcel extending up the hillside from the water’s edge.

“The higher ground abuts existing open space and a roadway, so if we weren’t able to acquire the combined parcels, they would certainly make very nice building lots,” Mr Rosenthal said. “The Trust for Public Land has played a key role in negotiating this acquisition on behalf of the town.”

Selectmen are confident that the $2 million would be enough to secure the marina and adjacent lots, as well as a 17.6-acre parcel about four miles north adjacent to the Rochambeau Memorial Bridge that carries Interstate 84 across Lake Zoar.

“This parcel, bordered by Riverside Road at Laurel Trail, would provide an additional 1,600 feet of lake frontage and the entire hillside extending up from the lake,” Mr Rosenthal said. “It’s a very scenic spot and there is nothing on the property now. This parcel is ideal for passive recreation because it features several trail networks that lead down to the lake.”

The first selectman added that the parcel, which could potentially be developed for at least one home, was expected to cost between $300,000 and $350,000. Selectman Brimmer said he was pleased to endorse the measure.

“These are both good properties and good investments for the town,” he said. “I have recently seen building lots with no water views going for more than $350,000, and we will be able to develop a place where townspeople can plan public outings and such.”

Mr Rosenthal said that in keeping with the wishes of the marina’s owner, the town would contract the purchase as soon as possible, but would not close on the parcel until November to allow for the 2005 seasonal cottage renters and marina tenants to complete their contracts.

“The present owner would continue to operate this season,” Mr Rosenthal said. “All the current boat slip lessees and renters have to be notified and given sufficient notice about the change in ownership.”

He said the town would lock in the purchase price and contract the acquisition, while giving town leaders the time to decide on who would manage the operation.

Newtown Parks and Recreation Director Barbara Kasbarian told The Bee Monday that while it would be a wonderful recreational opportunity for townspeople, it would be very difficult for her department to take over management of such a facility this summer. But given time, she said it might be a logical move for her department to eventually take over management of what would become a town-owned beach and marina operation.