Common Sense

Prevails

To the Editor:

I attended the first Board of Selectmen’s meeting under the new administration Monday night with a couple dozen other citizens. Like many others, I spoke on the issue of Fairfield Hills and the ongoing efforts to utilize some of the almost 200 acres the town purchased in 2001. Despite the fact that plans and actions for FFH have been well underway for several years, and were legally and properly endorsed by the voters of Newtown, the use of the property became a contentious campaign issue this fall.

At this selectmen’s meeting many facts were brought forth, mostly financial in nature, describing the expected income to the town that will accompany the development of a town hall at FFH. The chairman of the Fairfield Hills Authority spoke and corrected misstatements that newly elected Councilmen Gary Davis related during that same session. The chair of the Legislative Council and Board of Finance also spoke of the many benefits of continuing on the current path, as well as the debilitating taxpayer costs to put it on hold (estimated to be at least $3 million, and some say as much as $8 million or more).

Luckily, common sense prevailed and the selectmen voted 2-1 to move ahead as planned. Anyone continuing to espouse that delaying or canceling this project is deeply rooted in denial of the facts. Perhaps they should take some steps to educate themselves on this instead of relying on second-hand interpretations filtered by special interests.

To play Devil’s Advocate, let’s compare this to the NHS expansion. It would be problematic for anyone to attempt to stop the NHS expansion 18 months from now, just as Bridgeport Hall it is in the first phase of demolition. Newtown has many other issues to resolve and now this one has been put to rest, hopefully we can move forward. A smooth transition is best for the town, and those new to elected positions have much to learn and experience to fulfill their responsibilities to our citizens. I hope that all will rise to the occasion, and I wish them much luck.

This is a time for leaders and those who elected them to listen and learn, not to cross our arms and ignore what others are saying because it may not be what we want to hear. We need to know the facts and you can learn those by reading the minutes of meetings, reading The Newtown Bee’s coverage, as well as attending meetings here and there, if possible. Lastly you can pick up the phone and call any of those in elected service to our town. Please do not consider yourself to be informed because you read the letters to the editor, or hear it “through the grapevine”… you may find yourself very misinformed if you rely exclusively on those sources.

Thank you,

Sarah Beier

7 Yogananda Street, Sandy Hook                           December 5, 2007