Democrats Discuss Campaign Issues

At Political Gathering

By Andrew Gorosko

James Gaston, a Democratic candidate for a seat on the Board of Selectmen in the November 8 municipal elections, is urging that two controversial topics be put to a public vote to clarify local sentiment on those issues.

In remarks on October 9 at a gathering held in front of the Democratic Party’s campaign headquarters at 33 Main Street, Mr Gaston urged that the proposed public vote address the Board of Education’s recent award of the future school bus student transportation contract to All-Star Transportation, Inc, of Torrington instead of to local school bus owner-operators.

Also, Mr Gaston urged that the voters address whether housing should be allowed as a permitted use at the town-owned Fairfield Hills campus.

Mr Gaston noted the town is about to lose 32 middle class jobs, blaming it on the leadership of the Board of Education.

In a prepared statement, he said, “The ramifications are astonishing, but to put it simply, there will be no savings to education,” he said, adding that having All-Star provide the town with student transportation would saddle the town with “liability costs.” Such liability costs could jeopardize the future of various school programs, he said.

Mr Gaston recommended that the public vote pose the question, “Do you financially support the All-Star bus contract?”

If the answer is “No,” then the school board should void the contract, Mr Gaston said.

On the Fairfield Hills housing issue, Mr Gaston said that a recent public poll sponsored by the Fairfield Hills Master Plan Review Committee “demonstrates little to no voter interest in housing at Fairfield Hills.” A public vote on the matter would “end the question” in terms of the public’s viewpoint on the matter, he said.

Last April and May, Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members conducted public hearings on proposed zoning regulation changes which would allow housing as a permitted use at Fairfield Hills. The large majority of residents speaking at those hearings opposed housing there as a permitted use.

When P&Z members met on October 6 to consider and possibly act on the proposed regulation changes, a majority of P&Z members opted to postpone possible action on rule changes until after some new regulatory proposal could be formulated, which would possibly include allowing some amount of housing as a permitted use at Fairfield Hills.

Mr Gaston urged that an ad hoc committee be established to specify the wording for a referendum on the school bus transportation issue and the Fairfield Hills housing issue.

Mr Gaston, a lawyer, is the borough warden.

Also at the October 9 Democratic gathering, Donald Mitchell, a Democratic candidate for a second district seat on the Legislative Council, spoke.

In a prepared statement, Mr Mitchell said that he supports public education, adding that it is a primary area where improvements could be made.

Also, he urged that town officials speak with a consistent voice in promoting local economic development toward the goals of increased jobs, expanded property tax revenue, and creating a sense of economic growth, which would foster confidence in local investment.

Mr Mitchell, lawyer, is the borough attorney.

State Representative Christopher Lyddy served as master of ceremonies at the political event.