To the Editor:

Hidden treasures in plain sight. Spring welcomes the search of all Newtown’s nooks and crannies; try Whippoorwill Hill Road, a beautiful find. An investment effort is in the works to develop 104+ acres adjacent, bounded by Hawleyville Road (Rt 25) and Mt Pleasant Road (Rt 6), and I-84 alongside east lanes.

For one thing, that’s a lot of land, a lot of natural hidden treasure, flora and fauna, at reserve for a long time, with old stone walls and remnants of stone foundations in the uppermost sizable portion. Most likely unrecognized and unappreciated, even passing there frequently, our attention was fixed on the road and its traffic.

The current Wharton option is now up for consideration by our Planning and Zoning’s call. Newtown vibrates negativity on the plan, semi-truck traffic increases and diesel exhaust being foremost and real, and not limited to the site, but town-wide. Studies done, numbers calculated and reviewed, professionally by both “for-ers” and “against-ers.” Much factual public dialogue.

Apparently the property is somewhat available. Would elderly and some affordable housing be made to work there instead, with smart, imaginative, creative, efficient, “quiet” practical landscaping (slopes) and architectural designing, thinking surface and subsurface waters, air permeability, minimally invasive, conservatively thought out.

Covered Bridge apartments; Grace Church across the way; the child care facility at the intersection, senior care down the road, neighboring homes adjacent and nearby, all make for a promising gateway to Newtown and Brookfield. Several industrials are located favorably on Barnabas Road alongside I-84 West.

There’s a valid reason to say No to Wharton, I think. Can we do something better for Newtown now and for the long term?

Elizabeth Lincoln

Newtown