To the Editor:

Many thanks to the five former officials who have spoken out in opposition to housing at Fairfield Hills, and for Mr Voket’s coverage in last week’s Bee regarding the group’s response to the question of housing at Fairfield Hills, as well as his moderation of the presentations given on The Newtown Bee’s You Tube channel.

The need for a different form of housing for the young-and-starting-out, the financially restricted, and the old-and-winding-down is important to address, but not at Fairfield Hills. Sand Hill Plaza, which was once considered to be a great addition to the town, now shows a number of empty store fronts along with an expansive parking area. Could housing development be encouraged at that location?

Questions to consider should apartment style housing be allowed at Fairfield Hills: What will the impact be on parking and traffic movement at Fairfield Hills with additional vehicles? Will there be a need for traffic and crossing lights at the intersection of Keating Farms Avenue, D.G. Beers Boulevard, and Trades Lane should Shelton and Kent Houses be selected for apartment development? If Cochran House is selected for apartment development instead of Shelton and Kent Houses, what will the impact be on Glander Field in general and parking at Glander Field specifically? How will increased traffic flow out of the parking area at Cochran House impact Mile Hill South residents?

I am grateful to the volunteers, elected officials, and community development professionals who have spent years developing a plan for what Fairfield Hills has become and what it should continue to be (to repeat Mrs Llodra’s quote in last week’s Bee), “the civic, social, recreational, and cultural center for the Newtown Community.”

I ask my fellow High Meadow walking enthusiasts along with others interested in preserving space for soccer games, baseball games, art and music festivals, the Farmers Market, and the popular Strut-Your-Mutt event to please consider voting “no” to the referendum question posed to you on November 3rd.

Melinda Reynolds

19 Cemetery Road, Newtown October 28, 2020