Reshape The Task Force

To the Editor:

Horse owners of Newtown your horse zoning issues are being revised!

What was Planning and Zoning Chairman Dan Fogliano thinking when he said OK to Meg Maurer and Anthony Klabonski, who volunteered to lead the horse zoning task force. They will be in charge of changing Newtown’s horse zoning regulations for everyone. This needs to be changed immediately.

Those of you that read the letters to the editor will recognize her name. Meg Maurer is one of the Stone Gate residents that hired an attorney to oppose her horse neighbor over the boarding of horses on their almost 30 acre pristine farm on Morgan Drive. She also criticized publicly Newtown Bridle Lands Association, a non-profit organization that promotes our priceless open space, for speaking in support of the horse farm.

Meg Maurer was appointed to the Planning and Zoning commissions as a alternate two months ago and had not addressed any applications until August 2, when the application concerned horses. She was the only No vote on the horse farm issue that was passed August 2.

Our Horse Zoning Task Force, and I do mean our task force, is for people of Newtown. Yes we need a task force, however we question and oppose its current membership. How many people in our community knew this task force was going to be started and had an opportunity to volunteer? I am confident that there are many volunteers out there that are fair minded and would keep the rural character of our town in tack. It needs to be headed by a professional of conservation, a farmer, a non-horse person, a veterinarian, a horse professional and the backyard horse owner who has lived in Newtown for many years. With a variety of intelligence new horse zoning can be made compatible and in harmony with our community.

This is the time for any horse person or any person who cares about horses, open space and the rural character of our town to let them know you’re here. We are here and plan to stay in this multi horse town. You can help by calling and writing your First Selectman Herb Rosenthal 270-4201 and your Newtown Planning and Zoning Commission 270-4276.

Cindy Miller, President

Newtown Bridle Lands Association

Parmalee Hill Road, Newtown                                     August 14, 2001