Bridgeport Hall Should

Be Town-Owned

To the Editor:

The Friends of Fairfield Hills continue to convey information to the public as accurately as possible on various aspects of the selectmen’s master plan for Fairfield Hills. This week the focus is on Bridgeport Hall. If the writer expresses an opinion, it will be clearly stated as such.

Bridgeport Hall, 46,368 square feet; asbestos/lead abatement cost (provided by environmental consultant TRC), $169,000; renovation estimate, $2,689,344; parking spaces needed, 133; cost for parking at $1,000 per space, $133,000 (Fairfield Hills Advisory Report, March 22, 2000).

Selectmen’s Plan: Preferred reuse; assembly/office/community. Reduced in size? No. Anticipated sponsor/investor: Private/town (Fairfield Hills Master Plan, February 26, 2003, pg 4). Bridgeport Hall is one of four buildings to be mothballed, $900,000 (Fairfield Hills Master Plan, February 26, 2003, pg 8, table 2).

Opinion: The town must own and operate Bridgeport Hall for the expressed needs of the community. Bridgeport Hall is Newtown’s community center for special events such as weddings, club functions, book sales, meetings, recreation programs, and the like. There is ample room as well to provide permanent and expanded space for the senior center. Question: Have the senior citizens been heard yet?

Concerns: The Fairfield Hills Master Plan, February 26, 2003, shows Bridgeport Hall as renovated and managed by an outside entity (leased) as well as envisioned as a building to meet community needs. If this building is leased to a company, will the community be able to schedule activities/events on any given date or will there be a limited time frame for usage? Will the entire building be available for our activities? Will the sponsors of these community events be required to pay a fee?

Opinion: Bridgeport Hall needs to be town-owned and operated for the sole purpose of meeting the community and senior citizen needs. As has been accomplished in New Canaan’s Waveny House, Bridgeport Hall would, if town-owned, generate income from rental fees established for residents and nonresidents. Bridgeport Hall would be a self-sustaining, revenue generating entity to meet the needs of our community.

If you agree Bridgeport Hall should be kept for the people of Newtown, then make a call to your council representative and tell them so. Your call is important to Newtown and the future of Fairfield Hills.

Linda Dunn

26 Old Bethel Road, Newtown                                     July 10, 2003