Authoritarian Or Democratic

Government?

To the Editor:

What type of government does Newtown have? At the February 7 meeting of the Legislative Council, citizens spoke eloquently requesting that the council carefully review plans the selectmen have for Fairfield Hills (FFH). On the surface, a listener would think citizens were most concerned with the $10.5 million expense for renovating Bridgeport Hall for a new town hall. Instead, the underlying concern, though not fully expressed, is the steady movement toward authoritarian government.

Even though the public soundly rejected the selectmen’s master plan for FFH in 2003, the selectmen are determined to commercialize the entry plaza. In 2005, the council created the FFH Authority by enacting an ordinance that gave extraordinary powers to the selectmen to spend our $20 million bond issue as they wish. They propose to offer land for new buildings to be constructed after the town pays to demolish some existing old buildings. Also, they will offer developers 30-year lease agreements for three buildings (73,820 gross square feet) for a one-time payment of $2.87 million, which translates into only $95,000 each year for 30 years. The budget for the FFH Authority this year alone is $598,500.

Do they really think that a demand exists for more than 100,000 square feet of office space at FFH along with about 400,000 square feet of commercial space planned for the Technology Park in Commerce Park? With so little possible revenue coming from FFH wouldn’t the town be better served if FFH were preserved for community needs? Remember the long list — senior center, recreation, swimming pool, police, fire, school, Kevin’s Community Center, etc.

Instead of saving money by using Bridgeport Hall as a community center, thus providing more recreation space immediately, the selectmen plan to renovate it for a town hall. As Joanne Zang explained in her letter last week, this former FFH dining hall is a poor choice. Furthermore, the selectmen are unwilling to consider other solutions for the overcrowded Edmond Town Hall, such as the reuse of the smaller Newtown and Woodbury Halls for town offices or the Kendro building. They insist all town offices must be in one building. Why?

This continual drift toward imposing policy the public dislikes has angered the public as never before. February 7 the citizens asked the council to stop this heavy-handed-I’ll-do-as-I-please actions of the selectmen and the FFH Authority. The council could easily rein in this authoritarian administration by amending this same ordinance that granted too much power to the selectmen. Will they?

In a real democracy, citizens would choose from several plans in a referendum. They would decide whether to spend $10.4 for a town hall or choose a less expensive solution to overcrowding at Edmond Town Hall.

Unless the council acts, authoritarian government will continue unchecked!

Ruby K. Johnson

16 Chestnut Hill Road, Sandy Hook                     February 27, 2007