By Kendra Bobowick

Sunlight jumped from tree limbs to the snow-covered ground where shadows pooled in the imprints of hooves, paws, and the lighter touch of birds. Julia Wasserman walked across her fieldstone patio, waking her dogs as she stepped into a sanctuary of fir trees, cashmere goats, sapling Christmas trees, the view of a pond and the ridge rising behind it — all hidden from the street where she lives on Walnut Tree Hill Road. “It’s beautiful, totally undisturbed land,” she said.

Mrs Wasserman, state representative for the 106th district, looked across her property divided by footpaths, stonewalls, and split rail fences where birdhouses were perched on the corners. “It’s considered one of the most beautiful places left in Newtown — it is high and has views that are incredible.” She intends to keep it as serene as it appeared this week with bright afternoon sun coaxing a glare from the snow.

Ninety-two acres of Mrs Wasserman’s land will remain free from the bite of a developer’s backhoe and reflect only the marks of wildlife setting foot near the pond or rabbit tracks hurrying for cover beneath bowed evergreen limbs. “I am trying to keep this as a nature preserve and eventually it should be used by people as a sanctuary to walk, bird-watch, picnic. There is a pond where people could fish.” Reminiscing, she said, “My husband loved to fish.”

With the help of Newtown’s Land Use Agency officials, Deputy Director for Conservation Rob Sibley and Director George Benson, Mrs Wasserman designated only four building lots in a 111-acre subdivision of her property, leaving the rest to nature. The bulk of her land is now protected by a conservation easement. She knows what lot sales could have gained, but opted for open space rather than cash. “I feel much better,” she said. Thinking again about the rustic setting’s potential, she said, “We have eagles…” Several miles away across Lake Zoar traveling toward Southbury is the Shepaug Dam, where the winter months find guests peering through viewfinders from the eagle observatory. The birds of prey travel from places north of Connecticut for better hunting.

Aware that not everyone is able to do this, Mrs Wasserman looked outside her kitchen window, beyond her dogs who had nestled back into place on throws covering outdoor furniture, and said,  “Well, if you can…”

Why?

Thinking about her answer, she said finally, “My husband always loved the land. He even more than I.”

The late Louis Wasserman had cultivated a Christmas tree farm on the property. As Mrs Wasserman walked her land this week, she pointed to a fenced in area with knee-high saplings — all budding remnants of the tree farm. Across the footpath was a grove of overgrown firs too mature for cutting and decorating, and now casting long shadows down a slope — part of the forest.

“My husband planted a lot of trees by hand, he loved stewardship,” she said. As the owner of  100-plus acres of Newtown, she said, “I’m beholden to the town. I didn’t want to see this developed.” Sales could have been an option, however. “There are plenty of people who have approached me to build,” she said. “I even get letters from people who want the acres to put a road through, and houses.”

She will do the opposite. “People have said I should set an example for other people to do it.” Noting that she and her husband started with 84 acres, later purchasing abutting properties, she mused, “I should have done this years ago.” Although Mrs Wasserman retains ownership, what she can do with her property is restricted. And, she must maintain the fields. Laughing, she said, “I would love for a farmer to come in with his cows. Now, I have to pay for a tractor to keep the fields open.” She has four goats remaining from a flock living in the stalls on the property, which also use the fields.

Land Use

More open space is in Newtown than people think, said Mr Benson. His office and the Conservation Commission always look for land that might be preserved. Impressed with Mrs Wasserman’s contribution, Mr Sibley said, “She set aside a lot of land,” he said, emphasizing his words. “This is a philanthropic subdivision and the acres will ultimately be preserved…in perpetuity through the easement.” He continued, “You can’t build it or dig it up or do things not conducive to environmental conservation.”

His office aims to plan for the town in the future. “You have to plan for the long-term, so the town makes sure nothing happens [to the land].” Both now and in the future, the town “will watch over” the land, he said. With Mrs Wasserman’s 92 acres included, he said, “Ultimately the town can continue to have a vibrant open space system to preserve water quality, natural resources, and the historic rural character of our town.” In preserving the land, Mrs Wasserman went through an exacting process for the people of Newtown, he said. Mrs Wasserman credits the land use officers. “They walked me through the subdivision process. They were wonderful,” she said.

“It wasn’t easy, but what we ended up with was a tremendous result,” Mr Sibley said.

This week Mrs Wasserman walked along a shoveled path in the snow and glanced toward the pond. No tire tracks or street signs would pop up where the fields dropped toward the water. Pavement and road salt would not overpower a trickling stream slipping over rocks and stretching downhill. Piled stones reflecting cars idling at an intersection would not replace birds’ shadows skipping across an old foundation. Mrs Wasserman said, “My husband always thought that the more he acquired, the more he could donate. That was always on his mind.”