Take An Active Role

In The Development Of Fairfield Hills

To the Editor:

Transparency in Newtown government is often an elusive thing.

A public hearing on January 20, at 7 pm, at the Senior Center in Sandy Hook, will be held to discuss the proposed lease of Fairfield Hills’s Woodbury Hall.

This is the first time the Fairfield Hills Authority has been willing to discuss a proposed lease in a public hearing. The Newtown Youth Academy lease was rushed to signing in September 2007 thus avoiding the new requirement by state statute to hold a public hearing. The modification of this lease a year later, at the cost of $3.5 million to Newtown, was not brought to public hearing as required by state statute. The Hawley lease has been extended three times without telling the voters why.

I encourage Newtown residents to attend this hearing. It is an opportunity to understand the leasing process at Fairfield Hills, the economics of the lease, the ever-changing master plan, and the impact of the lease on local veterinary hospitals. It is the voters chance to again make their voices heard by the appointed Fairfield Hills Authority members and by the Board of Selectmen.

It is my hope that Newtown’s government officials will hear the public and then consider carefully the implications of this lease. Last week Selectman Rosenthal said he didn’t know anything about the lease, so this is also his opportunity to learn more and then carefully consider it.

In the past public hearings were no more than required processes. The officials would hold a 30-minute hearing and then immediately vote approval of the meetings topic.

This time the voters of Newtown deserve more.

They deserve the careful consideration of the details of this lease. The Fairfield Hills Authority has already negotiated down the rent from $1.1 million to $790,000, a $310,000 loss, in the last two weeks. Why are we asking for 30 years rent upfront and leaving no cash flow to the town for the next 30 years? Will we also abate their taxes? Why are we charging $1.20 per square foot when the News Times reported January 14 that the average square foot cost for space is $23 dollars? What will it cost the town to provide 125 parking spaces, $250,000 or more? How much will it cost Newtown to connect utilities? What other costs will be required of Newtown? Will we make or lose money on this lease?

Who is the tenant and is he capable of performing under the terms of the lease? What is the impact of a subsidized veterinary hospital at Fairfield Hills on our other taxpaying veterinary hospitals in Newtown?

I don’t know the answer to these questions or if this is a good deal for Newtown. I do know that this is an important opportunity for our government officials and the public to more fully understand the lease and the benefits to Newtown.

Please find the time to attend this meeting and take an active role in the development of Fairfield Hills.

Bruce Walczak

12 Glover Avenue, Newtown                                     January 14, 2009