A Catalog Of Problems

With The Master Plan

To the Editor:

The Friends of Fairfield Hills present their final report. “Why you should vote No on the proposed Master Plan.”

*One goal of the proposed master plan is to create an office park in the core campus (p 1) with 200,000 square feet or more of commercial space requiring 1,174 parking spaces (p 6) (Sand Hill Plaza holds 1,000 cars)

*Stratford Hall –– converted into a “dormitory/residential” building (p 4).

*Shelton Hall –– demolished and a new town hall constructed on the site (p 4).

*Open Space –– High Meadow and West Meadow but not protected (p 3).

*No definite space to relieve overcrowding at Newtown High School (p 4).

*No definite town retained space for a future senior center, community events like the Labor Day Book Sale, a recreation building, a cultural arts center, children’s playground, outdoor activities like biking, skating, etc (p.4).

*Ten playing fields constructed with $1.4 million bond money. The plan is costly. It requires the destruction of one road for two soccer fields and the construction of a new road for security personnel to reach the water towers on the High Meadow (p 3, Map 2). The bond issue was based on seven new fields.

*A six-person “authority,” appointed by the selectmen, is empowered to demolish, construct, hire personnel, negotiate leases, etc to implement the plan.

*The selectmen with the Legislative Council can vote at any time to change the master plan.

Response: Our vision for the future of Fairfield Hills is one that aspires to create a municipal center on this beautiful property. FFH, in the heart of our town, will be our gathering place, composed of facilities for indoor and outdoor activities for all the people, rich and poor, old and young. Someday, in better economic times or with the help of grants, we will renovate or construct needed space for our municipal employees. We will develop a cultural arts center, a recreation center, a community center and find a way to provide needed space for high school students. By protecting the open space at FFH, the dream of a townwide trail system can become a reality someday.

At the same time, we can permit limited commercial development. Newtown and Woodbury Halls total 46,000 square feet. Eton Square (Grand Union, Brooks, bank) has 45,826 square feet and pays $63,255 in property tax. Not a large amount, but helpful. However, we believe extensive economic development belongs in Commerce Park and in private lands throughout the town.

Fairfield Hills is a quality of life issue. Will it be nicer in Newtown with an office park in the heart of Newtown? We don’t think it will. Friends of FFH have strived to awaken everyone to the value of saving Fairfield Hills for our future town needs. Please join us in voting No on August 12 at the Middle School. Keep Newtown rural; keep Fairfield Hills green!

Ruby Johnson

16 Chestnut Hill, Sandy Hook                                   August 6, 2003