Selectmen Create Open Space Panel

By Steve Bigham

The Board of Selectmen created Newtown’s newest ad hoc committee Monday night in the hopes that it will address many of the issues which have come about due to the town’s so-called development “explosion.”

The newly formed Open Space Task Force will be charged with looking out for the best interest of the town’s open space. It will also seek to form more clearly defined trail systems, and, according to one resident, attempt to foster goodwill in the community.

The selectmen agreed to form the panel upon the requests of local horse riders, hikers, forest association members and other open space supporters. Many of these requests were prompted by disputes with homeowners over property lines. Some fear the days of hiking or horseback riding through back pastures are gone. Subdivisions are going up farther out into the woods, creating friction between those who live there and those seeking to enjoy the great outdoors.

“I think we can help make people better neighbors,” noted Cindy Blackman-Fogliano, who was a leader in calling for the creation of the board. “We want to help people become more tolerant of their open space. There is a definite need for this in this community. And the community has suffered for the last year and a half [since the town’s Greenways Committee disbanded].”

The Open Space Task Force will work under the direction of the Conservation Commission. It will be made up of six members – a representative from the Newtown Bridle Lands Association, the local hiking group, the Conservation Commission, Newtown Forest Association, Parks & Recreation (or related sports group), and a citizen at-large.

Under a proposal submitted by First Selectman Herb Rosenthal, the committee will make recommendations regarding the acquisition or preservation of open space in order to maintain or enhance the conservation of natural or scenic resources; protect natural streams or water supply; promote conservation of soils, wetlands, beaches or tidal marshes; enhance the value to the public of abutting or neighboring parks, forests, wildlife preserves, nature reservations, or sanctuaries or other open areas; afford or enhance public recreation opportunities; preserve historic sites; implement the plan of development adopted by the planning and zoning commission; and promote orderly urban or suburban development.

Judy Holmes, a member of the Conservation Commission, has stated that she would like to see better marking for Newtown’s open space. She would also like to see homebuyers better apprised of where easements exist around their homes.

“This would clear up a lot of misunderstandings that are occurring all over town,” she said.

Conservation Commission Chair Sandra Michaud welcomed the added help of an ad hoc group.

“I think it’s a good thing. The Conservation Commission is responsible for recommending open space. We do not have authorization, as does Planning & Zoning, to require the giving over of open space. We are charged with inventory and management. This will help us find out exactly what we do have. Things have been happening so fast – so much development. We certainly could use the outside help.”

The lack of clearly-defined trails or accurate maps has caused problems, and many point to last year’s controversy on Purdy Station Road when neighbors protested the clearing of trails near their property lines.

As Mrs Blackman-Fogliano points out, it can often be difficult to locate and/or access open space. She said the group’s first priority would be to update all trails on maps for both active and passive recreation.

“The town’s infrastructure is very over-stressed. We have volunteers who are willing to take an active role to make it a better community,” Mrs Blackman-Fogliano said.

Once the existing open space is determined, the town will then be able to amend its plan of development to guide land use commissions in the future.