Selectmen Change FFH Master Plan

By Jan Howard

The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt changes to the Fairfield Hills Master Plan and agreed to a professional survey that would sample residents’ comments on the changes.

The changes as approved are: 1) Charge an architect/contractor with performing a complete study of the cost effectiveness of renovating Shelton House versus building a new town hall on the Shelton House site, and keeping the same architectural style; 2) Demolish Plymouth Hall and Stamford Hall; 3) Do not initially demolish the single-family homes pending results of survey; and 4) Provide for the opportunity for relocation of police and/or fire facility to the Fairfield Hills campus.

In regard to the survey, First Selectman Herb Rosenthal will invite a representative of the University of Connecticut Center for Survey Research and Analysis to attend the Board of Selectmen’s March 1 meeting.

During discussion prior to the vote, Selectman Joe Bojnowski reiterated his support for a professional survey to be conducted regarding revisions to the master plan prior to sending it on to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

“We should get something cost effective but professional,” he said. Selectman Bill Brimmer, who had opposed a proposed survey that would have cost $12,500, said he would be in favor of a more targeted approach at less cost.

“We should get input from the public,” Mr Brimmer said.

In regard to the issue of a town hall, Mr Rosenthal said a complete study of Shelton House should be done to see if it is more cost effective to renovate or to demolish it and build a new town hall on the site, keeping the same architectural style. “The master plan recommended a new building,” he said.

In previous meeting discussions, Mr Brimmer and Mr Bojnowski had differed on the number of buildings to be demolished, with Mr Bojnowski in favor of demolishing Plymouth and Stamford halls in addition to seven others.

Plymouth Hall could possibly have a community use as a cultural center, he noted. However, he said, “I don’t feel it will be suitable.” He noted the rate of deterioration would make it difficult to “resurrect.” Mothballing the building would cost money, he said. “We should demolish it and put in what the people want at the right time.”

Mr Brimmer said he was not opposed to demolition of the two additional buildings.

Mr Rosenthal said the master plan provides for a cultural arts center at the campus. However, he noted, it would be up to a future cultural arts commission and cultural groups to conduct fundraising efforts and to seek any grants that might be available to bring it to fruition.

 While asbestos hazards at Plymouth Hall have already been abated, the first selectman said, “If we leave it, we have to mothball it.”

Because of the shortage of alternative, affordable housing in Newtown, Mr Brimmer felt that the eight small single-family houses on the property would help meet that need if they were to be sold at a reasonable price.

Mr Rosenthal said some type of condominium approach would be needed because the homeowners would not be able to own the land. Also, he noted, comments made at public meetings indicated opposition to housing at Fairfield Hills. He agreed with Mr Brimmer and Mr Bojnowski to have the housing question included in a poll.

Resident Ruby Johnson, in comments at the close of the meeting, urged the selectmen to rethink their position regarding Plymouth Hall and to compare the costs of renovation versus building a new cultural center. “It has an auditorium that is very valuable,” she noted.

However, Mr Bojnowski said he still believes the town should put in a building with an auditorium that is up to date and not encumbered by the problems Plymouth Hall has.

“It will be very difficult to restore that building,” he said. “It is to our advantage to put in a building that meets the needs of Newtown.”

In other business, the selectmen made the following appointments: Joe Hovious, Open Space Task Force; Patrick Murphy, constable; Sara Frampton and Brian Ochs, Board of Ethics; and Mary Fellows, Michael Kerler, Lisa Breault, Kathleen Christie, Sten Wilson, and Duane Giannini, Sandy Hook Streetscape Steering Committee.