Setting The Record

Straight, Again

To the Editor:

The Friends of FFH published its Position Paper in 2004. We proposed preserving Fairfield Hills for community use. The FFH bond issue (June 2001) included $6 million for the renovation of Shelton Hall for town offices, and we supported that expenditure.

In the Selectmen’s Master Plan, they rejected Shelton Hall and planned to construct a new, three-story, town hall on the Shelton House site or on the north side of the entry plaza, designating $7,200,000 of the $20 million bond issue for the new building. (FFH Master Plan, Executive Summary, February 23, 2003). Citizens rejected the Selectmen’s Master Plan in a townwide referendum, voting 1,238 to 1,084 against the plan. The vote was ignored; the selectmen are spending our money as they wish and ignoring their own master plan.

The first delectman wrote in his Letter to the Editor “…ultimately the voters approved borrowing $7 million to begin the construction … for town offices … at Fairfield Hills” (The Bee, December 5, 2006). Do they mean we approved the principal and interest payments on $7 million of the FFH bond money, or do they mean we approved $7 million in new bonding? Either way, that information did not appear on the budget page printed in The Bee May 19, 2006. Was this appropriation hidden under “improvement bonds” in some fashion that we citizens can’t detect? I didn’t vote $7 million to convert Bridgeport Hall into a town hall; did you?

The Friends of Fairfield Hills never endorsed the use of Bridgeport Hall for town offices. We supported the use of Bridgeport Hall as a community center. Its large open floor space is ideal for recreation, dances, banquets, teen center, senior activities, trade shows, and other revenue-producing activities. Conversion into a town hall eliminates community use.

Even worst, the selectmen now want $10.4 million to convert Bridgeport Hall into a town hall. This $10.4 million doesn’t include demolition of Shelton Hall. Matt DeAngelis is attempting to stop this wild spending with a lawsuit, and Paul Mangiafico is seeking to reign in spending with a different solution for town offices. North American Realty is being paid $25,000 to market FFH, and they are the consultants saying a town hall must be at FFH. When citizens understand the details of the proposed lease agreements with outside developers, they will understand better who will make the money. The Legislative Council needs to step in and take back control of our town.

Bridgeport Hall is one-story, utilitarian building with a “pedestrian appearance.” It lacks a welcoming lobby, beautiful columns, and a graceful clock tower. As a symbol of a town filled with pride and dignity, Edmond Town Hall wins effortlessly. Let’s take another look at this beautiful building.

Ruby Johnson

16 Chestnut Hill Road                                          December 26, 2006