P&Z Endorses NHS Expansion Project

By Andrew Gorosko

Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members have determined that a plan to expand and renovate Newtown High School is consistent with the provisions of the 2004 Town Plan of Conservation and Development.

P&Z members unanimously came to that conclusion following brief discussion on the topic at a November 15 session.

P&Z members recommended that the Board of Education consider P&Z members’ and town land use agency staff members’ comments during conceptual site planning for the high school expansion/renovation project.

Also, P&Z members pointed out that the high school project must later receive a special permit from the P&Z for its construction.

The project also will be subject to an aquifer impact review, under the provisions of town zoning regulations. The high school lies in the town’s Aquifer Protection District (APD), a tightly regulated overlay zone situated above the Pootatuck Aquifer. The aquifer is the source of two public water supplies.

The Fletcher Thompson architectural firm of Shelton and Hartford is designing the high school expansion/renovation project for the school system.

The $40 million-plus project is planned to alleviate student overcrowding, build a ninth grade center, improve circulation throughout the school, minimize student disruption during construction, keep to a specified construction schedule, and meet budgetary requirements. School officials have been considering various versions of the project, which would affect its eventual cost.

Last June, town voters approved spending of $2.75 million for the architectural design phase of the high school expansion project. The vote was 1,372 in favor, and 912 opposed. The total 2,284 votes represented only 14.4 percent of the then-registered 15,886 town voters.