Date: Fri 01-Jan-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: CURT

Quick Words:

Ed-ink-capital-expenses

Full Text:

ED INK: Are We Running In Circles?

As Newtown looks ahead to its final run around the calendar for this century,

it seems sometimes like we have been running in circles these recent years

just trying to catch up with ourselves.

We rebuilt Newtown High School and Hawley School to keep up with the growing

demand for classroom space and modern school facilities. We expanded the

library to meet the demands of the Information Age. We sunk sewer lines in our

streets so we would not contaminate our yards and watercourses with wastes.

And we paid millions to do these things. With these projects completed, one

might think we could rest and take a leisurely victory lap in 1999 -- but

we're not done yet.

Newtown is looking ahead to another $40 million or more in capital expenses

for a new school for fifth and sixth graders and to upgrade and expand

municipal facilities. Hundreds of new homes are built in town each year, and

until the town is completely developed and its population peaks at an

estimated 30,000-plus (provided local regulations are not liberalized for

apartment buildings and condos), the town can expect the capital projects to

keep on coming down the pike.

In 1900, Newtown was a very different place. An old arthritic dog could lie

down in the dirt on Main Street and take a nap without going to his eternal

rest. Now, a greyhound in full sprint is at risk. In this, our last annual

go-round of the century, we have important decisions to make -- not only on

how much money we are going to spend on a new school or a new center for our

municipal government, but on where we are going as a community.

Even as we make plans to accommodate all the new families that move to town

each year, we must also plan with intent rather than mere accommodation in

mind. The Planning and Zoning Commission is considering an inventory of worthy

vistas in town that should be protected, and the Newtown Forest Association's

longstanding campaign to preserve important tracts of open land was crowned

this year, quite literally, with the acquisition of the spectacular Holcombe

property on Great Hill. Meanwhile, the Housatonic Valley Association, in

cooperation with the state Department of Environmental Protection and

Northeast Utilities, is working to establish a riverbelt greenway along the

Housatonic River.

The town should build on these efforts every year to ensure that life in

Newtown maintains a human scale and does not grossly distend its population

and its tax burden. We would hope always to be able to welcome new families to

a town that is both vital and beautiful. But that will require care and

attention and not just reaction. Let's make it our collective resolution for

1999.