Don’t Criticize What You Do Not Fully Understand

To the Editor:

I am struck by the confusion that seems prevalent among some of the people writing letters about Fairfield Hills. They do not seem to understand what responsibility lies where and what was originally contemplated. As one of those who initiated the purchase and financial plan to acquire the property and subsequently planned the wording for the bond issue to finance the acquisition, I know first-hand that only three things were planned from that first bond: the actual purchase price, a town hall, and some playing fields. We knew more money would be needed to realize the optimum utilization of the finest single piece of land in all of Newtown.

The town needed the land for centralization of all major town functions and rapid transportation, especially for emergency vehicles. Prior to Wasserman Way, if Church Hill had been closed for any reason, getting ambulances, police cars, and additional fire equipment rapidly to Sandy Hook was not safe or practical. There was also the very real threat of a particular developer purchasing the property for an enclave community that would have been completely gated. That whole wonderful property would have been completely closed to the rest of the town. Queen Street was being considered for multifamily housing, both plans adding to the cost of schooling and thus taxes. Before those things could happen, the town government and the people acted!

Years elapsed before actual transfer of property, during which time the buildings were unheated and not cared for as the state did not spend further money on them. Consequently, the condition of the buildings when we offered for them and when we gained title, deteriorated... well beyond what could have been foreseen.

Many entities planned to settle on the property but withdrew following the election in 2008, for whatever reason. All the agencies, boards, and commissions that have legal authority over the property have worked long and hard to maximize beneficial development. This is particularly true of the Fairfield Hills Authority, the Board of Selectmen, the Legislative Council and the Board of Finance. The last three groups have only very limited authority. To criticize the Board of Finance with relation to FFH only reveals how little the legal situation is understood.

The Board of Finance has protected the town’s bond rating, keeping the interest payments down, and insured the lowest practical budget, but it does not have authority over Fairfield Hills. The Fairfield Hills Authority and the other involved groups have remained loyal to the original bond issue as required by law.

Please do try to be accurate when one makes absolute statements instead of using The Bee as a campaign handout.

Sincerely,

Melissa Pilchard

22-year member of the Legislative Council

Little Egg Harbor, N.J.                                        July 28, 2009