Flexibility For The Future

To the Editor:

Interestingly all three members of the Board of Selectmen voted to endorse the Fairfield Hills master plan, and all 12 members of the Legislative Council voted to endorse of the plan. When 15 elected town officials representing both political parties are unanimously in support of the plan, that says to me that the plan must be sound and have merit.

The Board of Selectmen and the Legislative Council have attached several implementation regulations to the plan. In their good wisdom they have declared that: a) “Any transfer of property or buildings to non-town entities shall be accomplished by lease. There shall be no sale of land or buildings.” b) “Any future in-fill (new) construction, with the exception of a new town hall, a high school academy, or a potential freestanding recreation facility, will require an amendment to the plan through the same approval process used for adoption.” c) “The proposed Master Plan has several large areas which are designated as land banked areas. Any use of these areas other than uses such as outdoor events, interim playing fields and public access for walking, horseback riding and similar public enjoyment of the property will require an amendment adopted through the same process as the original master plan.” Please remember that the final process in adopting the master plan required the approval of the voters of the town. What this does is give the voters of Newtown major control as to the future uses of this property.

The needs of the town today are quite different than they were in the 1930s. They will be different when the projected population of the town reaches 35,000 to 40,000. This plan has the flexibility to meet those needs when the town reaches population saturation. Keep it “Nicer in Newtown,” and support this plan.

Al Cramer

5 Partridge Lane, Newtown                                          August 4, 2003