Fairfield Hills Resolutions Top First Selectman’s List

By Kendra Bobowick

Had he been able to peek through a window and glimpse the Board of Selectman’s meeting later that night, First Selectman Joseph Borst’s words Monday morning may have had a different tone.

“No, I am not exercising my right not to sign,” he said regarding leases the town might enter into with developers interested in Fairfield Hills buildings. The papers require his signature to finalize any deals. He did indicate that he wanted to review the papers, however. “I want to see if the town is leaving anything on the table.”

He had also said, “It’s not a true statement that I don’t want to sign. One way or another we’ll work this out.”

That evening’s meeting did “work out” the situation as his fellow selectmen pushed Mr Borst in another direction. He had argued unsuccessfully for “leeway to touch bases” and look over the paperwork, but fellow selectmen Paul Mangiafico and Herb Rosenthal insisted that he was obligated to carry out the board’s wishes following a vote two weeks ago to move forward with Fairfield Hills plans without delay.

At that time Mr Borst had said simply, “no” to a motion to move ahead with plans. Monday he thought about that and said, “I guess I erred not making a positive motion myself.” Before insisting that the board move ahead two weeks ago, selectman Mr Mangiafico had suggested a compromise, asking if Mr Borst could commit to a special meeting in days to come when the board could then vote on moving ahead. In the meantime Mr Borst would have some time to review. “I should have established a time line,” the first selectman said Monday.

This week the board voted unanimously that as soon as the lease agreements pass attorney David Grogins’ approval Mr Borst will sign them. He emphasized, however, “Don’t be upset if I [sign] under duress.” He had argued and lost the bid for more time. Monday morning, still unaware of the night’s events, he had said, “I don’t see any impediment if I can now establish a timeline.” He said he “wants to wrap things up one way or another by the end of January.” Instead, pending lease arrangements will conclude as soon as Mr Grogins passes paperwork to Mr Borst.

Mr Borst’s signature has now become the key to sealing lease agreements that were nearly upset by his earlier words during campaign season when Mr Borst had said he would look into the project and scrutinize the status of a town office project. Two weeks ago the selectmen moved to continue plans without delay, but concern grew again when officials began to wonder if Mr Borst would, in fact, sign the leases.

The town has been moving toward some form of economic development for the past six years.

Redevelopment at Fairfield Hills has been evolving since 2001, when a town vote appropriated $21 million for town development of the Fairfield Hills Campus. Since then, the 186-acre purchase, remediation, and overall planning for reuse and development have been ongoing. From ad hoc planning committees to legislation establishing a Fairfield Hills Authority, a group of people, town officials, advisors, architects, and contractors have been at work on the campus. In the last two years the remediation, demolitions, recreation plans and economic development have begun to come to fruition. In the last six months especially, much activity has taken place as private and commercial developers have either begun renovations or expressed interest in particular buildings. A 90-foot field has been completed, demolition of unusable buildings have taken place, and renovations and reconstruction of Bridgeport House for use as municipal and school district offices has begun.

Divisive Topic

On Monday morning Mr Borst expressed the reasons he wished to review leases before putting his name down in ink. He said, “I want to be able to truthfully say we’re going in the right direction.” Noting the responsibility he feels, Mr Borst said, “This is a multimillion-dollar project, and I don’t want to put my name on it until I understand.”

That morning as he settled into a visitor’s chair in the corner of his office, Mr Borst spoke about his recent political campaign and aired his thoughts about this year’s most divisive topic in the first selectman’s race — Fairfield Hills.

A new town hall? People either loved or hated the idea, which was caught in the tug-of-war among those struggling to either promote or halt Fairfield Hills redevelopment.

“People in the election were unhappy that Bridgeport Hall was being used,” he said. Particular locations for housing municipal and education department offices had changed several times, at last landing at Bridgeport Hall. In the last 18 months architects and construction management teams at work on the former state hospital campus had gone through buildings, including Shelton House, which had been the choice spot for new municipal offices.

In January of 2006 the authority first learned that Shelton House was not viable. During a meeting that month, Whit Iglehart, with project architectural firm Tai Soo Kim Partners, ran through the possibilities, concluding with the recommendation to raze Shelton. Although that building “has a front portico and could suggest a town hall, there are quite a few negatives. Its general condition is not too good,” Mr Iglehart said. “Our recommendation is that the Shelton option not be pursued, but it should be demolished to open the space to Bridgeport [Hall].”

Mr Iglehart listed Shelton House’s drawbacks from the roof to the ground floor. “Shelton has a lot of damage in the wings and other serious problems.”

During the meeting nearly two years ago, he had described the floor plan as less than ideal with its narrow, 40-foot widths, which “limit the options.” Mr Iglehart continued dissecting interior problems, saying, “All partitions may need to be removed and inside Shelton they’re all block and terra cotta — that’s major demolition.”

Ceilings also topped the list counting against Shelton Hall. “They are not necessarily high; that’s a problem for new electronics, for example,” Mr Iglehart said.

“As someone said, ‘A River Runs Through It,’” he quipped. “There is water is in the basement.”

Explaining that Shelton House’s location and elevation were essentially perfect for collecting water, Mr Iglehart said it would literally make a better site for a pond. One of the two scenarios for which the committee opted involves developing a pond in front of Bridgeport Hall.

Offering the most compelling reason for his firm’s recommended options, Mr Iglehart said, “Bridgeport is in better shape than Shelton, it has large open spaces inside, and there are not a lot of inside partitions to remove.”

He also liked the ceiling height, explaining, “It’s good for conference space and for meetings.” Also, Bridgeport Hall does not have Shelton House’s water problems.

Borst On Bridgeport Hall

As Mr Borst thought about Bridgeport Hall this week, he called the building cavernous, stressing that heating bills would be a major expense. He also noted that the two buildings were constructed at the same time more than 70 years ago.

“They said Shelton was no good. Here is a building 70 years old and suddenly it’s not a good choice, then [municipal offices] are moved to Bridgeport Hall?” He likes the idea of turning Bridgeport Hall into a community/recreation center. Recently Mr Borst toured Bridgeport Hall with O&G Industries, Inc Project Manager David Cravanzola. He said, “My personal feeling is it would make an ideal community center, not a town hall.” He again said it was “cavernous.” He also feels that the estimated $10.3 million for the renovations will not be enough money. “I feel it will be exceeded and [construction managers] will have to value engineer. What would we have to eliminate? Will it still be a viable project?” he asked.

Where should town hall go? “There are a lot of possibilities,” he said. Noting Edmond Town Hall where he sat Monday, he said, “This building right here could be expanded if you move the firehouse,” he said. Behind the town hall to the north is Newtown Hook and Ladder, which he suggests relocating. His reasons? “People seem to like the Edmond Town Hall and keeping things here — based on what’s been going on the last year or so.” He said, “People are not adamant about it, but we could expand [Edmond Town Hall] out the back.”

When had the new first selectmen begun scrutinizing Fairfield Hills? “When I came into office,” he said. He took an oath of office on the first day of December 2007, following November elections. As with many elected officials, those in a position of authority may rely on advisors or experts for guidance and information when making decisions, he had agreed.

Does he trust the Fairfield Hills Authority members? Mr Borst noted what he saw as the qualifications of members from Chairman Bob Geckle to Walt Motyka, Andrew Willie, etc. Does he not rely on their expertise? “I wouldn’t say that, no,” he said.

On Monday, prior to his reluctant assent to sign leases as soon as they are approved, possibly in a matter of days, Mr Borst had hoped for time to talk with developers entertaining lease agreements. Hawley Realty has an interest in renovating square footage for Danbury Hospital to expand services into Newtown. He wanted a clearer picture. He questioned whether Danbury Hospital was “adamantly saying they would not go with development for professional offices [with municipal offices].” Thinking out loud about his ideas for Bridgeport Hall, he said, “To me, what’s difference is it if it’s a town hall there or Parks and Rec or seniors. I want to take a look at that aspect.”

He also noted, “We have vast infrastructure problems in Newtown.” Thinking of the high school expansions and middle school needs, he weighed Fairfield Hills against current education needs. “Is it a priority to build schools or town offices?” How is he comparing a bond approvals from 2001 to current town Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) dollars?

“It’s a money thing,” he said. He also noted, “It may well be that Bridgeport Hall is the answer.” Again, how is he comparing Fairfield Hills funds to capital costs? “It’s infrastructure. The CIP — there is a lot of money there.” Mr Borst said he wants to keep costs down.

In Office

Mr Borst’s status as the Republican candidate in the election earned a boost when the new Independent Party of Newtown (IPN), emerged in the months before elections. Members of education supporters, We Care About Newtown (WeCAN) Po Murray and Gary Davis both played lead roles in establishing the IPN and running successfully this year for Legislative Council seats. The two prominent IPN members were outspoken about their opposition to town hall plans since last February. The IPN cross-endorsed Mr Borst, who had said he would review Fairfield Hills plans and the merits of a new town hall at Bridgeport Hall. He had also stressed that he was not telling anyone to stop plans.

Despite the IPN campaign support, Mr Borst said, “Am I indebted to the people who helped me get elected? No. I don’t owe anybody anything. I appreciate the new party support, but [feel] no obligation to do what they want me to do.” He defined his position as the top official representing the interests of all and not just a few. “I am for the people of Newtown,” he said.

Sharing his views of the Fairfield Hills campus’s economic potential, he said that revenues should at least cover maintenance and security. “I would at least like to see enough development to make it revenue neutral for the town of Newtown,” he said. In essence, the campus would not be an expense.

On the job for three weeks, Mr Borst said the most important topic now is finding a Fairfield Hills resolution. Noting that the campus redevelopment guidelines are in the master plan for redevelopment, he wants something more concrete for residents to look at.

“I’d like to see a drawing of the total project, I’d like to see a replica and put it in the lobby of town hall.”