Slow Down Fairfield Hills Leasing

To the Editor:

 I want to express my thanks to all the citizens who turned out to uphold our democracy; 39.6 percent of registered voters made it to the polls, up from 23.9 percent who voted in 2005. This year competition made the difference. Three political parties, three petition candidates, and one write-in candidate offered voters excellent choices. In 2009, every position should offer choices. Hopefully, more citizens will step forward to serve, and the parties will accept them.

My disappointment centers on the hurried leasing of buildings at Fairfield Hills by the losing administration. In an effort to ensure that FFH develops the way this administration desires, leases for the duplexes were approved a few weeks ago, and the Stratford Hall lease was rushed to completion on November 5, the day before the election. Even worse is the planned public hearing on Monday, November 19 (7 pm, Booth library), regarding leasing of Newtown Hall to Hawley Realty. Only the Board of Selectmen (with the help of the town attorney) approves the lease agreement; it is a done deal.

The honorable course of action for the Board of Selectmen would be to defer all leases until the new administration, led by Joseph Borst and Paul Mangiafico, takes over on December 1. They can conduct a full review (return on investment analysis) for each lease, determine the tax revenue from the leased buildings, and the costs associated with providing parking lots, infrastructure repairs, security, etc. The current leases provide one-time lease payments for 30 years or more. Without a full “return on investment” analysis, it is impossible to know if a lease agreement of a one-time payment of $140,000 per duplex unit is advantageous to taxpayers or if $450,000 for Stratford Hall is a giveaway. These lease agreements most likely will not produce sustainable tax relief for the residents of Newtown.

Until a townwide, comprehensive, integrated long-term strategic (reasonable and affordable) solution is found for saving Edmond Town Hall, providing adequate municipal space for town employees, seniors, school children, and the promised seven new playing fields, no leases for private developers should go forward. I sense that voters want to be allowed to vote on town hall options. The rush by the present town leaders to ensure it’s done “their way” is simply wrong. Yes, the leases can be broken, but the effort and costs are inexcusable.

The voters have spoken. A new administration has been elected. The right course is to allow Mr Borst and Mr Mangiafico an opportunity to address the needs of the town, to provide a blueprint for Newtown’s expected growth, and to determine the appropriate use of Fairfield Hills and our $20 million investment.

Ruby Johnson

16 Chestnut Hill Road, Sandy Hook                November 14, 2007