To the Editor:

I am frankly puzzled by some of the [letters to the editor] in opposition to a mixed use project for Fair-field Hills. In the name of keeping Fairfield Hills as open space I believe some are missing the details of what could potentially be a boon for Newtown.

We are only talking about the development of a very small section of the 186-acre campus. To be spe-cific, Stratford, Newtown, Woodbury and the duplexes are in the plan to be renovated. What Newtown is missing is a town center so typical of many New England towns, such as Ridgefield, Madison, even West Hartford. Here we have an opportunity to have a destination for walking, shopping, living, right in the midst of a community center, municipal center, and recreational areas.

I stopped by Husky Village in Storrs this past weekend, and saw firsthand what a transformation has occurred with their mixed use development. What was once a barren strip of limited shopping is now a walkable town center, lively and thriving. We can do the same at Fairfield Hills – change eyesores into eye candy.

Geraldine Carley

66 Currituck Road, Newtown December 10, 2014