Moving Ahead At FFH

To the Editor:     

To resolve the underlying source of disagreement concerning Fairfield Hills we must answer two questions.

1. Should the citizens of Newtown subsidize developers of commercial property at Fairfield Hills by spending undetermined millions to abate hazardous materials and demolish buildings and then lease buildings for 25–30 years, taking the buildings and surrounding land out of the public domain? My answer is No.

2. Would a better course be to use our limited financial resources to market the 38-acre commercially zoned property in Commerce Park that the state has given the town for a technology park and let the private enterprise system work? Yes.

Much has changed since the state closed FFH. The buildings have deteriorated badly, town priorities have changed, and more citizens are enjoying the property each day. Let’s change course; save FFH for the town.

The Capital Expenditure Program for the next five years includes funds for a new recreation building and additional high school space. The FFH bond issue included funds for municipal office space at the Shelton Hall site and additional playing fields. The senior center needs more space.

Let’s get going. For your consideration, I suggest:

1. Request the present FFH Management Committee to focus their considerable business talents on the Commerce Technology Park property and use their expertise to attract developers to construct new buildings designed for the needs of their clients — a revenue producing strategy.

2. Agree to the demolition of all the unusable buildings at FFH. Bridgeport Hall is the most valuable for community needs (sports, teen center, civic groups, seniors) and as a revenue source. Keep it; demolish the others. Yes, I mean demolish Danbury, Canaan, Shelton, and Plymouth, too. Let’s face reality; they are too expensive to keep. Demolish Newtown and Woodbury if no developer signs on the dotted line before winter.

3. Preserve our limited financial resources and avoid mothballing any buildings. We can’t afford the heating systems and the oil while we wait for tenants.

4. Encourage the appointment of a new FFH Advisory Committee composed of persons to represent those groups that will actually utilize FFH such as open space, Park and Recreation, Friends of the Library, school board, and others. Everyone must cooperate in order for all of us to benefit and enjoy this marvelous property.

I recognize the selectmen are too busy to manage FFH. They need help for the daily operation of the campus. However, it will always remain the responsibility of the selectmen to chart the course for any advisory committee.

The Selectmen can choose a highly qualified team. We don’t need the state legislature to interfere with House Bill 6712. Visit our website www.friendsoffairfieldhills.org to read the entire bill.

Let the selectmen appoint a new advisory committee for FFH.

Let’s move ahead!

Ruby K. Johnson

16 Chestnut Hill Road, Sandy Hook                        March 23, 2005