Nunnawauk Meadows Breaks Ground For 14 More Units

By Dottie Evans

Newtown’s highly successful housing project for seniors of low income known as Nunnawauk Meadows began with a dream in 1968 when clergymen and church members came together with one purpose.

They had decided that too many of the town’s longtime older residents were being priced right out of town, and something had to be done about it.

Ed Osterman, of the Board of Directors for Nunnawauk Meadows, spoke about that dream in an address given Wednesday, May 12, and commented that over the past 36 years much, indeed, had been done to “move the dream” forward.

The occasion was a celebration by town officials, past and present Nunnawauk directors, state housing officials and residents of the official groundbreaking for 14 additional housing units that will be offered to Nunnawauk residents with mobility difficulties.

The new construction is slated for completion by March 1, 2005, and will include a hair salon, arts and crafts area, an enlarged library, and a medical room.

“We currently have 137 residents in 120 units living at Nunnawauk Meadows,” said Mr Osterman, adding that there is a waiting list of 150.

“It would have been even longer but we had to cut it off somewhere. The need for this type of construction is…apparent,” he concluded.

John P. O’Byrne, president of the Board of Directors thanked First Selectman Herb Rosenthal for support that the facility has received from the town through the years, and he acknowledged State Representative Julia Wassermann who “has graciously helped us with our projects and invested in the seniors in Newtown.”

“We especially want to thank [United States Department of Agriculture Area Loan Specialist for Rural Development] Sue Burns and her staff for their commendable work in conjunction with Nunnawauk Meadows,” he added.

Speaking on behalf of Mr Rosenthal, Selectman Joe Bojnowski addressed a room full of residents, administrative staff, and officials.

“I believe that Nunnawauk should be able to continue its fine work,” Mr Bojnowski said, and he congratulated all the board members for what he called a “huge accomplishment.”

David Tuttle, State Director of USDA rural development for the State Department of Economic and Community Development called Nunnawauk Meadows “one of the most beautiful places I’ve been to.”

“We build bricks and mortar. What makes this place a home is all of you. This is what we’re all about.”