Date: Fri 30-Jul-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Fairfield-Hills-Ruby-Johnson

Full Text:

Development Plans Reinforce Determination Of Advocates Of Fairfield Hills

Purchase

BY STEVE BIGHAM

For Ruby Johnson, the question is a simple one. Does the town of Newtown want

to buy Fairfield Hills to have for its future land needs, or does it want the

property sold to a developer for housing?

"We can't let that land be turned into housing. And that's what it will be --

housing. It's the only way the developers can make any money," Mrs Johnson

said this week.

After studying the three proposals submitted by each of the three developers,

the longtime Newtown resident stands by her belief that Newtown must buy the

property. Last January, she was a voice of one in calling for the town to

reconsider its seemingly pre-ordained position that the town would not buy the

land. Many others agreed, and the number of people in favor of a town purchase

continues to grow.

For resident Jim Osborne, the three proposals have only solidified his belief

that the town can buy the 186-acre campus for a very good price. Each of the

proposals presents a purchase price ranging between $9-20 million. However,

after a long list of stipulations for purchase, each appears to be offering

little more than $2-3 million, according to research done by Mrs Johnson.

For example, Wilder Balter Partners of Elmsford, NY, has plans to build a

550-unit housing development called Legacy at Newtown. It has offered to pay

the state $11.7 million for ownership rights to the Fairfield Hills land.

However, under its proposal, $9.4 million of that offer would be subtracted

because it would charge the state for abatement, design, planning approval,

financing and other overhead costs.

Becker and Becker of New Canaan has made a $9 million offer, but will deduct

similar costs, while the $20 million proposal made by Spectrum Renaissance

stipulates that the state remove all hazardous materials, demolish 13

buildings, and absorb other expenses.

"At this point, it's like trying to choose between a pig and a poke and

there's no poke. Everybody's hedging," said Mr Osborne, a member of the town's

Fairfield Hills advisory committee. "One (developer) has done a better job for

the town, but I don't think you've got the answer right there in those three

proposals."

One thing is for sure, Mr Osborne said, Newtown should certainly not pay any

more for the property than anyone else would pay. Of course, the negotiating

process has just begun, but many feel it is time for First Selectman Herb

Rosenthal to go to Hartford and find out what the town will have to pay.

"Timing is key. We feel we need to act soon because the Board of Education

needs some clear indication in terms of what commitment the town is going to

make for a (grade) 5/6 school there," Mrs Johnson said.

Mr Rosenthal said he will continue to keep an open mind about whether to buy

the property or allow the state to sell it to a developer. He has made it

clear that he is not opposed to purchasing the property, but fears the

community may be jumping to conclusions. There is a process to follow, he

said.

"I would say I am more inclined to buy the property now than I was a year ago,

but I'm trying to keep an open mind," he said.

What will happen if none of the three proposals are found to be acceptable?

"The state would probably have to put it out (for bid) again," Mr Rosenthal

said.

Meanwhile, Mrs Johnson said, the town's need for land for schools,

recreational facilities, senior housing and municipal office space would

remain in limbo.

Mr Rosenthal was scheduled to attend a meeting of the Fairfield Hills

Selection Committee in Hartford on Thursday, July 29. The eight-member board

will make the final decision on a developer. The board consists of four state

officials, Mr Rosenthal, State Rep Julia Wasserman, and Newtown residents

Michael Osborne and Charles Wrinn.