Go Slowly In Fairfield Hills Planning

To the Editor:

I think it is about time for some straight talk about Fairfield Hills.

It would be rewarding if the citizens of Newtown could stand behind one plan and we could move forward, but there is just too much that has not been considered or resolved for us to do that.

There is debate about what we actually voted for when we approved the purchase of Fairfield Hills. Did we vote for economic development and a new building to house municipal government?

The selectmen’s idea of an authority to run Fairfield Hills is the most serious issue. It has not been adequately explained to the public or clearly documented. It will take an act of the state Legislature to put into motion. It would be similar to The Port Authority in New York. They would be all powerful!        

The wisdom of building a new building for a town hall is still being debated among citizens. Is it prudent to spend $8 million at this time? What will become of the space at Edmond Town Hall? How will it be utilized?

Another area that has not been resolved is the issue of where the academy for high school students will go and where the alternative school will be. Education is the bulk of our budget but yet these questions have not been answered.

No designation has been made for senior citizens. A town-owned recreation building was not clearly defined. With growth in Newtown, what if we need another fire company? A police department satellite? Will we have to go out and pay top dollar for centrally located property to meet these needs?

The master plan is very open ended. Today 12 buildings may be earmarked for economic development but what about the provisions in the plan for “in-fill” of 250,000 square feet designated in the master plan. The original buildings could be demolished and big office park type buildings could replace them. What control will the town have over these leased spaces? The need for economic development in this place, at this time, and in this economy is questionable.

When can we expect the start and completion of the ball fields?                        

Last week the selectmen presented their amended version of the Ad Hoc Master Plan Committee’s recommendations to the Legislative Council. The new version had some very basic but major differences than the original master plan. The selectmen chose not to sell the buildings but to lease them for economic development. They also chose not to build a new town hall over the entrance road way but to put it on the site of Shelton House. Regardless of where you stand in this debate these were good recommendations for the town.

This master plan puts the horse before the cart. The town is presently working on a long-term plan for the development of all of Newtown’ s needs. That should be completed first and then the Fairfield Hills property should fit into that.

We cannot vote and pass a plan that does not have all the details worked out. I think the prudent action would be to put the brakes on the master plan and go slowly!

Margo S. Lopez-Cepero

60 Toddy Hill Road, Sandy Hook                                                                                                  May 28, 2003