Teach Your Children Well

To the Editor:

As we consider the 5/6 school and Fairfield Hills, let us consider our options, and see if we can really educate our children, by setting an example with the wise choices we make. Our community is like many others across the nation, expanding rapidly without the tax base to support the necessary services. Unlike these other communities, we have an opportunity to remedy the needs of our town in an extremely cost effective manner. If we play our cards right, we may even create some revenue. The most cost effective use of our tax dollars is to have a developer help us make Fairfield Hills a reality, including renovating Cochran House for the 5/6 school.

The Becker proposal is similar to the recommendations of the Fairfield Hills Advisory Committee. The Becker plan also makes use of the buildings, rather than calling for their destruction. These buildings, by all accounts, are in good shape. Yes, the abatement of lead and asbestos would have to be done, but this would have to be done anyway before they could be torn down. Again, what are we teaching our children? “Even though it will cost more, let’s tear down these historically significant buildings, and put up something new.” I would think the first selectman would welcome a plan that uses the existing buildings, since he appeared on the cover of the Fairfield County Business Digest with a headline that read “New Uses for Old Spaces.”

Should we take the Becker plan as is? No, we should work with him on some aspects, and Mr Becker has shown his willingness to work with many groups throughout the town. He has also indicated his willingness to work with the state to resolve any issues that arise.

Unfortunately, the intramural squabbling that has gone on with our town government regarding Fairfield Hills has cost us time, if nothing else. We need action, or the state will get fed up, withdraw the offer, and sell to the highest bidder. Or, we may get another prison. It happened once, it can happen again, if we let it.

On the other hand, we can show our children how an enlightened community can leave a legacy that will make Newtown an even more special place to live. We can also put our education dollars where they belong, into hiring and retaining the best teachers.

Speaking of dollars, let’s take a look. Purchase price of Fairfield Hills is $5.5 million. The proposed 5/6 school, $34 million. Proposed expansion of town Hall $20 million. Making the right choice for now and the future, priceless. Teach your children well.

Erich Fulmer

5 Floral Heights, Sandy Hook                                     February 28, 2001