To the Editor:

On March 5 we were treated to another performance at a P&Z meeting regarding the second gas station proposal at exit 9.

Attorney Bennett opened the show. He wanted to clarify some comments he made at the previous meeting. Seemed patronizing to the public that was there. Just trying to justify the bullying behavior from his previous performance.

Then Dainius Verbickas, engineer, narrated a lovely slideshow showing the addition of a sidewalk. I’m sure everyone will love a stroll along Route 25 enjoying the smell of gasoline. He also showed the size of the convenience store will be reduced. I don’t think that will reduce traffic, however.

Then Mr Kerfehs, a realtor who has a financial interest in this project, made his debut. He pointed out the tax revenue from a gas station would be higher than a diner. To me, this implies that P&Z is more concerned about money than planning what is actually needed and appropriate.

Then two young men that will run the gas station were up. Clearly meant to portray sympathetic characters in this performance they seemed to be under pressure from Atty Bennett to produce an award-winning performance. They said they will install electric charging stations in the future so there will be lovely areas for families to relax while their cars charge. Perhaps a stroll on that great sidewalk? I’m all for electric cars and reducing emissions, but this is putting the cart before the horse. The issue is the validity of a gas station/convenience store at this location at all. Then there was some mumbo jumbo about a 99-year loan, which at the previous meeting was called a 99-year lease. Who cares? That’s just a 99 year guarantee of dangerous traffic issues.

Michael Galante, the traffic expert, put in an appearance as well. Once again he states that Route 25 can handle the added traffic. Having lived here for 27 years, in my layman’s opinion, I disagree. Mr Kerfehs states the gas station would be 77 feet from I-84’s eastbound Exit 9. That is too short a span of road to have three major entry/exit driveways — Exit 9, the gas station, and Covered Bridge Road. It will be too difficult to pull out onto Route 25 from a stop, or try to turn across Route 25 while people are traveling at 40-50 mph. A man was killed across from Covered Bridge a few years ago and my neighbor was rear ended while waiting to turn left onto Covered Bridge.

The bottom line is none of these performances matter. This is the wrong location for this gas station/convenience store. It will be a traffic hazard and not improve the lives of the people within the HCDD. The end of this farce should be a definitive nay vote from P&Z.

Thank you,

Janet Mckeown

10 Hillcrest Drive, Newtown March 11, 2020