To the Editor:

I read an article in The Bee announcing a report to be presented by the Borough concerning sidewalk planning and installation. All were invited, so I attended mainly to congratulate the Borough committee for the great work it has accomplished to this point. I am not sure if, after I left, there was an opportunity to speak, but I only stayed for the initial presentation; so I would like to take this opportunity to recognized the work completed and being planned.

The Borough and the town government have worked together to construct an extensive sidewalk network already in place. I was really impressed with the plans which were presented at the meeting. The committee had obviously done its homework and presented an extensive plan for expansion and completion of the sidewalks in the Borough. The plan considers population areas, neighborhoods, schools, Fairfield Hills, opportunities for linking sidewalks to trail systems, and the general construction challenges that topography, waterways, and protected areas present. My hat is off to the group working on this study and the Borough burgesses for overseeing and funding a large part of this daunting project. I hope that the town and Borough can continued to work together to complete the plans as laid out at this meeting.

The town itself has included sidewalks in the Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) and hopefully as grants and town funds become available the larger plan connecting the town center to the high school and other areas in Sandy Hook can be completed. It is a pleasure to walk around the town center and I think all should appreciate the work that has gone into this project and support continued efforts to make Newtown a truly walkable community.

John S. Boccuzzi, Sr

57 Queen Street, Newtown March 10, 2020