Time To Stop Development

To the Editor:

Develop, develop, develop.

Is there an end in sight to Newtown’s development? First I feel compelled to write in support of Margaret Spinner whom I don’t know nor do I know about the property she wrote of in her letter titled “The eye sore of the beholder.” That is an interesting title and is probably true concerning Ms Spinner’s view. With regard to Mr Tilson’s comment “Ms Spinner should know the facts before she opens her mouth and writes a letter to the editor.” Give me a break! Writing to the editor is about one’s views and opinions. This is not a factual documentary section but an editorial section.

Speaking of editorials, after reading Chuck Tilson’s letter, he writes of 40 custom homes. To me, that means 40 big boxes with no style but I’m sure in different colors, and probably equates to an average of 80 children… which means more taxes to Newtown residents. He also writes if “Ms Spinner owned 65 acres of valuable property, what would she do with it?” How about nothing? How about admiring the view? This seems to be a real foreign concept to all the powers that be in Newtown based on all the development that’s been allowed. Furthermore, who wants to take a walk around a soccer field and watch a bunch of children yelling and screaming? How about a nice walk on a nature trail listening to the birds and watching other wildlife with no houses in sight? Isn’t that why so many of us moved here in the first place?

My letter to the editor has nothing to do with Ms Spinner or Mr Tilson. It is simply my concern and personal views which involve my interests. Start to cap development and slow down profit-hungry developers. Preserve farm land and the great views. Finally, help people who don’t have children but have huge tax bills on their property because of the need to support all the services that come with over development

If anyone has driven from Newtown to Shelton on some of the back roads, it’s like driving through one big neighborhood. Is Newtown headed in this direction? Should I give up on Newtown and move elsewhere to maintain the feeling of countryside which is what brought me here in the first place? If I stay in Newtown, will the value of my house appreciate each year comparable to the amount I pay in taxes? Or will my property value be diluted as taxes increase and development in Newtown continues? Is anyone interested in keeping a rural setting and pressuring Newtown’s government to slow down development?

Please no responses on how Newtown has taken steps to slow growth. The many laws that make up P&Z regulations have little effect on development. Just look around! And read Ruby Johnson’s letter to the editor (published August 3) concerning town leaders.

John Peeling

119 Poverty Hollow Road, Newtown  August 14, 2001