Proceed Slowly On Fairfield Hills

To the Editor,

It appears that Mr Rosenthal and the Board of Selectmen, and the committee studying Fairfield Hills have just about decided that it would be a “good buy” for Newtown. I totally agree and feel they should have reached this conclusion long before now.

I do, however, wonder if, once the property is acquired, the town will proceed slowly in its development and uses of the properties. It makes sense to set aside a certain amount of land for playing fields, both for youth and adult sport use, but what about the adults in Newtown who neither play nor watch these contests? There are many acres of Fairfield Hills suitable for walking, both on paved pathways and more rustic walking areas. Hopefully the needs of us who like to walk will enjoy as much consideration as the needs of youth.

Much has been said, pro and con, about the existing buildings on the campus. The years haven’t been especially kind to the interiors, but that doesn’t negate their usefulness. If time and proper consideration are given to the possible uses of these buildings, it’s very possible that none will have to be removed. Oh, there will be asbestos removal and lead paint rearing their ugly heads and prompting the doomsayers to predict the expenditure of millions… certainly “cheaper” to tear the buildings down and build new; never mind their charming architecture, and historic significance. If left alone asbestos isn’t dangerous, and I sincerely doubt that in all cases it would need to be disturbed, and if it had to be it could be confined. I think Newtown should have learned an asbestos lesson from the library fiasco.

Newtown needs more municipal office space, more room for the police and fire departments; supposedly there is a need for a grade five-six school; housing is always a top priority, especially affordable senior housing… and Fairfield Hills could easily be the answer to these and other needs. But none of these needs is so pressing, so demanding that proceeding slowly and with much thought as to the future shouldn’t be the first and most important consideration when deciding what to do with this “windfall.”

If and when the decision is made and the sale finalized, I think all the residents of Newtown should simply sit back, look at this “jewel” with an eye to the future, and proceed very, very slowly in whatever issues are decided on. Once it’s gone we’ll never get another chance like it.

Betty Guarino

167 Walnut Tree Hill, Sandy Hook                      November 9, 1999