To the Editor:

(The following letter has been received for publication in The Newtown Bee.)

Dear Economic Development Commissioners.

Thanks for your patience at your last meeting, and for all you do for our town. Apologies for the emotionally driven animosity from some of the public. I’ve reminded Newtown Conservation Coalition (NCC) members that all volunteer commissioners are our neighbors and deserve the benefit of the doubt when it comes to intent. With 6 Commerce Rd., the public’s anger and frustration shouldn’t be directed toward you or developers. Instead, fingers should be pointed at the State for creating this mess, and at the process.

About that process. Our 1st Selectman believes the EDC is still considered a municipal “Development Agency,” as was approved by the LC, and then by the CT Commissioner of Economic Development, 18 years ago, for the project call the “Tech Park.” It seems you’ve also been led to believe that you’re still acting as Development Agency for the property now known as 6 Commerce Rd. I can imagine the sense of fiduciary responsibility and priority that you must feel to sell that property and how misunderstanding the Development Agency status can impact your ability to focus on other EDC priorities and opportunities.

I made a FOIA request on behalf of the NCC to the 1st Selectman’s office recently, asking for any legal opinions on the process being followed for the sale of 6 Commerce Rd. They denied it, citing privilege. I made the same request of the CT Commissioner of Economic Development. They called right back to confirm that the Newtown EDC’s designation as municipal Development Agency ended when the Tech Park project ended, specifically, when the remaining STEAP grant money was reallocated to FFLD Hills. Therefore, you’re not required to propose a sale of 6 Commerce Road and it shall be handled like any other taxpayer-owned parcel, in accordance with the town Charter. This means the 1st Selectman, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, must propose any sale to other boards and commissions. There are additional steps outlined in section 8-10 of the charter that also must be followed.

The State EDC’s legal opinion is that no state designation would alter the need to follow the process outlined in the town charter whatsoever. Not the expired “development agency” designation. No “economic development” language in the original land conveyance. And no opinion of any 1st Selectman.

I hope my efforts to provide clarity are helpful. I encourage you to contact the State EDC Commissioner’s office yourselves, or have the town attorney do it, if doing so would bring about even more clarity and peace of mind.

On behalf of the NCC, please know that we’d very much like to collaborate with you to help Newtown grow in a way that works best for residents and our natural resources, and in compliance with the town charter. There are conservation-minded parties who’ve expressed interest in acquiring the meadow at 6 Commerce Rd. at fair market value, and we look forward to exploring such options together.

Sincerely,

Dave Ackert

Sandy Hook