To the Editor:

All politics aside, open space, senior tax relief, and some smart-limited commercial development are really the only solutions to help control property taxes in Newtown. Fortunately, Herb Rosenthal and Joe Bojnowski have been doing this for years.

Herb and Joe have increased tax relief to seniors from $30,000 to nearly $1 million! This is a fair and affordable means to help keep some of our finest longstanding Newtowners in Newtown…and it saves us money too!

Herb and Joe have been at the forefront of open space acquisition and preservation. Recently, Herb secured a $500,000 government grant for preservation of the 74.5-acre Ferris Farm on Route 302. This is a fabulous result for the town. In addition, to date Herb and Joe have vigorously worked to preserve over 1,000 acres, including the Kazan property, 210 acres, of which 150 was purchased by the state and 60 donated to the Nature Conservancy; Pieragostini property, 50 acres on Point of Rock Road; Fulton property, 30 of 52 acres on Orchard Hill Road; Raynolds property, 29 acres on Shepherd Hill and Sugar Hill; Arragones property, 22 acres to form 115 acres of the Pole Bridge preserve; Laurel Trail, 17 acres on Lake Zoar; Kelda lands, 700 acres former BHC property purchased by DEP. The Selectmen’s Open-Space Task Force (now the new Conservation Commission) compiled a list of all undeveloped parcels of ten or more acres and sent letters under the first selectman’s signature requesting owners to contact the town before offering the property for sale. Moreover, Herb and Joe obtained voter approval to spend $10 million over five years to fund open space acquisition and preservation. They worked with the Trust for Public Lands, a national nonprofit group to recommend best ways to fund open space.

 As everyone knows, Newtown is one of the largest area towns in Connecticut and has the potential to become a 35,000-plus-resident town. We need to take steps to keep that from happening. In order to maintain the character of Newtown, control taxes, and prevent further strains on roads and schools, open space must continue to be a top priority. Herb and Joe have demonstrated it is a top priority for them. On the contrary, IPN has vowed to use the open space money elsewhere.

Herb and Joe also believe in smart-limited economic development. Smart-limited economic development allows us to fund the new projects that the town needs, such as new ball fields, while maintaining the character of the town, and not straining the infrastructure of the town. We cannot strip mall our way to lower taxes.

Herb and Joe have done a good job for Newtown. They continue to have the appropriate balanced foresight for Newtown.

 

Michael P. Kelley

Campaign Chairman

Newtown Democratic Town Committee

21 Bridge End Farm Lane, Sandy Hook           October 17, 2007