What Citizens Need To Know

Before Fairfield Hills Poll

To the Editor:

Over the past four years, three surveys, contacting 1,378 respondents, were taken by the friends of Fairfield Hills to determine what the citizens of Newtown wanted to do with Fairfield Hills. The town is now planning to conduct a poll, which will be done by the University of Connecticut, Center for Survey Research & Analysis. Approximately 400 citizens will be participating in a 40–50 question phone call poll.

If you were called to participate in the poll, would it be helpful to have the answers to the following questions?

What overall objective do the selectmen have for Fairfield Hills? a. Use exclusively for municipal and community needs now and in the future; b. Provide land and buildings for municipal offices, community center, recreation center, cultural arts, playing fields, playground area, hiking trails and open space; c. Limit commercial development to specific buildings and keep the remaining areas for community needs.

Will the selectmen preserve the high meadows and wet meadows for open space and the enjoyment of all citizens?

Make absolutely clear the selectmen’s position on housing. Will the selectmen support or oppose housing at Fairfield Hills?

Make absolutely clear the selectmen’s position on relocating the police department.

Make absolutely clear the selectmen’s position for future school sites.

Make absolutely clear the selectmen’s position on size, facilities and location of a stand-alone recreation building and cultural arts center or combine both facilities.

Will the engineering reports on Shelton and Plymouth Hall (new building vs renovation) be completed and known to the citizens before they are asked to participate in the poll?

Community organizations have requested additional space at Fairfield Hills. How will the selectmen handle these requests and what are the associated costs?

How quickly will the 38 acres of commercial property at Commerce Park be ready for economic development?

What plans do the selectmen have for the future use of the much sought after Bridgeport Hall which is the home of the Labor Day Book Sale?

When a building is scheduled for demolition, the selectmen need to explain exactly what the space will be used for. For example: the selectmen have voted to demolish Plymouth Hall but it is not clear what the space will be used for.

How will the selectmen change/amend the five-year Capital Improvement Plan to accommodate their positions to any of the above questions/

I need the answers to these questions. Do you?

Linda E. Dunn

26 Old Bethel Road, Newtown                                     March 9, 2004