FFH Authority Members Discuss Security, Building Uses

By Kendra Bobowick

Bringing their year to a close on Wednesday, December 15, Fairfield Hills Authority members talked money, real estate, and security, among other topics.

Landscaping and snowplowing projects will likely be transferred to the Parks and Recreation Department in 2011.

“We’ve discussed them taking it over and will transfer [the budget item] to them,” explained security manager Maria DeMarco. She has also met with Director of Emergency Communications Maureen Will and town “technology people” to discuss enhanced security on the former state hospital campus.

As Chairman John Reed has noted in the past, the Newtown Police Department has become more of a presence on the town-owned campus. He and Ms Demarco anticipate that the police department will occasionally staff the guard house that is on the property.

Taking a cue from Economic and Community Development Director Elizabeth Stocker, FHA members authorized the proposal to hire a grant writer for the property.

“We’re giving [Ms Stocker] the support she needs,” said Mr Reed.

Member Andrew Willie moved to adopt rules for the trails and recreational use on campus, which had previously been adopted by the Parks and Recreation Commission. Rules guide the passive recreation practices of hikers, dog walkers, and others who wish to enjoy the parklike setting with fields, trails, and open space. See www.Newtown-ct.gov for more details.

Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Association members made another appeal to look at the Fairfield Hills campus to relocate their ambulance garage and facility from Main Street, which had previously been well accepted among authority members. In a recent meeting, member Walt Motyka had gone as far as proposing a joint facility for various emergency services including the ambulance, police department, and Newtown Hook & Ladder Company #1, which is currently seeking approval for a Sugar Street location.

Mr Reed advised NVAA members to pursue the topic with First Selectman Pat Llodra, to “proceed with a lease agreement.” Details of where specifically to locate a future facility are still in planning stages.

Also, plans to apply a $500,000 state grant to revamp one of the duplex building for use by the nonprofit Kevin’s Community Center, a free medical clinic for the uninsured and underinsured within Newtown’s Health District, is still being discussed.