Watertown Hall Zone Change Requested

By Steve Bigham

The Board of Selectmen last week requested that the Planning & Zoning Commission approve a zone change for the land around Watertown Hall on the campus of Fairfield Hills. Such a move would accommodate the Board of Education’s desire to build a school for fifth and sixth graders on the property.

 Currently, the Watertown Hall site is zoned for conservation/agriculture, making it ineligible for a school. However, according to First Selectman Herb Rosenthal, P&Z Chairman Dan Fogliano has been receptive to the Board of Education’s plight to find a suitable site.

The selectmen’s request did not specify the kind of zone it wishes to have Watertown Hall changed to since schools can be constructed in several different types of zones, including residential.

It is clear now that the Board of Education has eyes for Watertown Hall only. The Cochran House site at Fairfield Hills is no longer an option. As school board members point out, tying the 5/6 school to the Fairfield Hills purchase would only serve to further delay construction of the school. Board of Education Chairperson Elaine McClure, in an April 27 letter, requested the selectmen seek the zone change.

“It appears that only the Watertown Hall site represents a practical site for a 5/6 school,” she stated in her letter. “As you know, the development of this school has already been postponed approximately one year because of discussions related to the town’s possible purchase of Fairfield Hills.”

 Mrs McClure added that construction costs go up by about five percent per year, and, with obvious space needs confronting the district, the school board believes it is in the best interest of the students and the taxpayers to proceed with the Watertown Hall site.