To The Editor:

I write this letter with thanks and gratitude for the effort and many accomplishments Jahana Hayes has secured for our town.

As chairman of the Fairfield Hills Authority I can attest to the value of one particular project that Jahana negotiated for the town, which is the Permeable Parking Area Construction at Fairfield Hills.

Many residents are rightfully concerned about the need to address the parking situation, as the campus is becoming a busy destination with community services, business entities and many special events trying to vie for limited parking spaces.

One innovative and environmentally sound path forward is through the permeable parking project. Jahana Hayes has procured $480,000 of the total cost of $600,000 necessary to complete the full project. Expenses for this parking area project include all cost of material and labor. Each parking area will be installed using pavers which allow for grass to grow in between the pavers, which in turn allows water to naturally filter through the ground. Green infrastructure will be included to allow for the filtered water to reduce potential pollutants from entering Deep Brook Pond and other locations. Additionally, this would help the ground water supply to recharge and reduce any potential for localized flooding during heavy rains (such as Newtown experienced in August).

Jahana came through for Newtown to have the ability to expand parking locations since we have exhausted the allocated impervious areas permitted for adequate drainage per the Environmental Protection Agency.

We need and value her expertise and hard work when it comes to serving the communities of the 5th District. That’s what real leadership looks like!

Ross Carley

Newtown