Amaral Property Not Suited

For Ball Fields

To the Editor:

You must be kidding!  Parks & Recreation Director Barbara Kasbarian wants us to believe her office has just discovered, “unforeseen wetland areas” on the “Amaral Property” located on Elm Drive? 

I have lived in Newtown since 1975 and could not even venture a guess as to how many times I have driven past that parcel of land.  It is nearly impossible not to notice the wetlands in there!  Surely, town officials should have known about this or, at the very least, investigated a purchase of this magnitude more carefully.

In my opinion, to grant Parks and Recreation’s current request for $550,000 (which Mrs Kasbarian states will only cover the cost of one ball field) and any future funding for this project would be throwing good money after bad.

I suggest the town allocate those funds toward the purchase of Fairfield Hills instead.  There are plenty of places up there for ball fields, most of which are not compromised by wetlands.  Parks and Recreation could have their choice.

I would expect there to be a referendum on this additional expenditure.  If so, I will be there to vote, “NO”. 

Sincerely,

Nancy J. Dance

188 Brushy Hill Road, Newtown                               March 4, 2000