Generating Energy And

Pride In Newtown

To the Editor:

Without a doubt the economic storm we are currently in will be impacting our nation, our state, and our town for years to come. Newtown, along with many other towns across the state and nation, is not immune from the effects of this storm. Unlike most towns, however, we have an opportunity to pull ourselves out of this. It is big and sits smack in the middle of our town. That opportunity is the Fairfield Hills campus. Consider this from Rahm Emanuel, “Don’t let a serious crisis go to waste.” This could be that crisis and we may have an opportunity that will help carry us into the future.

That opportunity is to turn Fairfield Hills campus into an enterprise zone. But not just a simple business-oriented zone, but a “Green Zone.” Businesses and organizations would come into partnership with the town by developing the campus as the preeminent “green” commerce park for towns across the state and the nation.

Since the purchase of Fairfield Hills, the Town of Newtown, it seems, has been saddled with an albatross. Although a few developments within the campus have been positive, the overall impact has been an economic drag on the town. The “green” approach to developing Fairfield Hills has huge economic potential. Consider photovoltaic panels on the roofs of all new structures. Consider the potential for geothermal or cogenerative heating. Consider replacing the old power generation building smoke stack with a power-generating windmill. It would be no more of an eyesore than the smoke stack, but in fact could become a real positive icon, creating a connection to all who pass through Newtown no less impressive than that of the flagpole. In fact, it would be visible from the I-84 corridor and would create quite a ripple in the larger demographic landscape.

I don’t profess to have the answers. What I am attempting to do is start a dialogue. I believe it’s time to solve some of the problems facing us all with some creative solutions. Going green won’t be easy, but it will help focus our efforts and perhaps generate more than just electricity. It may generate real pride in our town.

Roo Simonds

58 Riverside Road, Sandy Hook                                        May 4, 2009