Date: Fri 18-Jun-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Trumbull-open-space

Full Text:

Would Trumbull Open Space Plan Work In Newtown?

BY STEVE BIGHAM

The town of Trumbull recently appropriated $10 million to be used to purchase

open space land within its borders. It's the kind of pro-active move that many

believe will save the character of this town of 33,000.

So far, four parcels have been chosen for purchase, with the first closing on

a 35-acre piece of land slated for June 20.

This innovative plan - approved by voters this past October - is the

brainchild of Trumbull First Selectman David Wilson, who grew up in Trumbull.

He was concerned about overdevelopment and the price his community would have

to pay for it.

There is a similar story currently going on here in Newtown where First

Selectman Herb Rosenthal, a lifelong resident, has made preserving the

character of the town his top priority. In fact, it will be the theme of his

campaign as he seeks a second term in office.

Would a $10 million appropriation work in Newtown? It probably would not be

enough, especially if the plan was to control or slow down development, Mr

Rosenthal said. Newtown is a much larger town (in area) and is far less

developed than Trumbull. Trumbull does not have the sale of Fairfield Hills

staring it in the face, either.

Ten years ago, Newtown held a non-binding referendum to determine how many

residents would go along with a plan to set aside money each year to purchase

development rights to open space. The small turnout yielded a "no" vote.

"We've never purchased much open space," Mr Rosenthal said.

Legislative Council Chairman Pierre Rochman said he would certainly support

the kind of program going on in Trumbull, "in theory."

"I'd love to do it. I'm always willing to consider something. However, before

we ever did it, I would like to know how many dollars it would take to make a

difference," he said.

One council member did suggest a similar plan a few years back, proposing the

appropriation of $1 million to buy open space. It never went through, however,

as other councilmen wondered what kind of "measurable difference" a million

dollars would make.

In Trumbull, residents overwhelmingly supported the plan to set aside $10

million. According to finance director Jim Hlivak, the average cost to each

homeowner was an additional $60 per year.

"They were more than willing to pay this in order to preserve the character of

the town," Mr Hlivak said.

Last year, the Trumbull first selectman formed a bi-partisan group to review

all parcels in town five acres or bigger. The board - headed by attorney

Steven Wright - decided which were of value to the town and proceeded to

negotiate with the owners. Trumbull will be able to preserve a lot of land

with $10 million, which it bonded and will pay back a total of about $1

million in interest and principal each year.

Of course, as the finance director points outs, "there is also the financial

aspect to this. Every house built in town, you lose money on," he said. The

average home pays about $4,000 in taxes and it costs $9,000 to educate a child

each year, he added.

"You can't make new land in town. If we don't do it today, it's lost forever.

As Mr Wilson said, if you went back 30 years ago and didn't buy some of the

park land, we'd be a city instead of a town," Mr Hlivak said.