To the Editor:

I would like to remind people that there is a P&Z meeting next Thursday, March 5, regarding the request to build a second gas station in Hawleyville near Exit 9.

The developer requested that this topic be put off several weeks, I’m assuming in the hopes that people will have forgotten about it and not attend.

I’m really hoping that people don’t forget and will attend. This is an important issue that impacts the town and this already congested area. It will not improve the lives of people in this community, it will add to pollution in this area, it will create further dangerous driving conditions, and it will absolutely have a negative impact on drive times. There is already a new gas station being built ¼ mile from this second proposed gas station. Route 25 routinely backs up from people exiting at Exit 9. To add another gas station in the short expanse of road between Exit 9 and the intersection of Route 25 and Route 6 is ludicrous. There already was a fatality at the intersection of Route 25 and Covered Bridge Road a few years ago. Let’s add a busy gas station and convenience store to this crowded area. Great idea, she said sarcastically.

I’m sure the aggressive lawyer for the developer will be at this meeting, as he was last time. His presence is to intimidate and bully the public into not speaking. That’s exactly why we should. This town belongs to everyone and nobody should be afraid to offer their “layman’s” opinion on this subject. The Editorial Inkdrops from a couple of weeks ago had a wonderful piece on this exact subject [see “Speaking Up Fearlessly” in the January 31, 2020 print edition].

Thank you.

Janet McKeown

10 Hillcrest Drive, Newtown February 24, 2020