Date: Fri 18-Jun-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

advisory-Fairfield-Hills-FFH

Full Text:

Advisory Panel Tours FHH, Likes What It Sees

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Al Martin has lived in town for more than 30 years, during which time he has

served on several boards, including the Board of Education. He was also a

member of the original advisory committee which last fall unanimously

recommended the town not purchase Fairfield Hills from the state.

Members felt the former state mental health hospital would be far too

expensive and create too many liability problems. However, after an

eye-opening tour of the scenic campus last week, Mr Martin may have changed

his mind. He was one of only three members of the original committee to take

last week's tour.

"My view has clearly changed from when I was on the original committee. My

mind is still open and we still need to see the reports from consultants and

the proposals from other developers, but I certainly could see merit in the

town purchasing the land," Mr Martin said.

Next month, four large development companies will present their proposals to

the state for consideration. By September, a developer will be chosen.

However, Newtown will ultimately be offered right-of-first-refusal on the

186-acre property, which is expected to be sold for less than $8 million.

Committee member Joe Borst said the purchase of Fairfield Hills is looking

better and better all the time.

"As time marches on, things change," he said. "I'm more inclined to go the

other way now because we're going to be losing a very valuable piece of

property if we don't look at this really carefully and consider the possible

options."

Brian White, a member of the original board, also was on hand. Also joining

the tour were the re-commissioned advisory committee's newest members, Ruby

Johnson, Al Cramer, Jim Osborne and Michael Floros, who now chairs the

committee. They were added to the board by First Selectman Herb Rosenthal this

spring due to increasing sentiment to have the town buy the land.

"I think this was sort of a consensus. The buildings were in much better shape

than we've been led to believe," noted Mrs Johnson, who led a petition drive

last January to encourage town officials to reconsider its decision not to

pursue Fairfield Hills.

Members said they expected to see buildings in shambles, but that was not the

case at all.

"I was very, very favorably impressed," noted Jim Osborne, an outspoken leader

in the effort to buy the land. "I had heard so many horrible tales of the

condition of the buildings, but that wasn't the case at all. I was totally

impressed with how those buildings were put to bed."

Mr Osborne calls Fairfield Hills the heart of the town and feels more strongly

than ever that it should purchased by the town.

"I think there is a certain obligation that the state owes the town of Newtown

in that it offer the land for a good price," he said. "We can work with the

developers, but I think we should do everything in our power to preserve that

land and keep it for the town of Newtown."

Of course, the 70-year-old buildings need cosmetic work, especially on the

outside. But, as Mr Martin points out, the insides were in excellent shape and

have not been neglected.

"The biggest thing that people see are the windows and the paint that's peeled

away. It looks like the buildings have not been maintained -- on the outside.

But if you put in a few windows it will look much better," Mr Martin said.

Mr Cramer said he was very impressed with Plymouth Hall, the former hospital's

recreation center, complete with gymnasium and auditorium.

"That has possibilities for an elementary school. You would need an addition

in my judgment. The town would need an architect to look at it," Mr Cramer

said.

Mr Cramer said he saw little settlement or sagging of the buildings, most of

which were constructed in 1933.

"It's a beautiful piece of property -- beautiful trees. The tour only

reaffirmed what I already thought. It's a very valuable piece of property," he

said.

Other Considerations

Mr Martin said there are many other factors that must still be considered,

especially the four proposals submitted by developers. There may still be a

proposal forthcoming that has more potential than a town purchase, he said,

one that provides open space for the town and added tax revenue for the town.

"If that were to be the case then we're really better off, but if the

proposals are not acceptable and liability is manageable, then I really think

we should consider it," Mr Martin said.

The three-hour tour was led by Eric Turkelson of the Tunxis Management Group.