To the Editor:

In case anyone was planning to attend the February 6 P&Z meeting regarding the second gas station in Hawleyville, there has been a change of date. The developer has requested a postponement until Thursday, March 5. I find this curious and troubling. In my opinion, the people looking to push this forward are less than honorable. They have resorted to intimidation and bullying tactics when they hired a lawyer to attack the public at the last meeting. I’m sure there is some reason they want to push the date back. Maybe they are hoping people will forget about this? Maybe they are hoping since it’s the week of the President’s Day holiday people will be away? Whatever the reason, it is not in the best interest of this town.

Please, if you had planned to come on February 6, then come on March 5. This issue effects everyone, not just Hawleyville-area residents. Many people from all over Newtown travel along Route 25 and Route 6. They access I-84 at exit 9. This development will negatively impact your drive time. We can not keep letting areas of town get developed in ways we don’t want, only to say after the fact that it was a mistake. It can’t be taken back.

Thank you.

Cole McKeown

10 Hillcrest Drive, Newtown January 29, 2020