Council Intent Unclear –

So Is The $750,000 Really For Open Space? Maybe, Maybe Not

By Steve Bigham

Last week, the Legislative Council voted to anticipate revenue in the 2001-2002 budget from the sale of the town-owned Queen Street homes, and indicated that some, if not all, of the proceeds from the sale could be directed toward the purchase of open space elsewhere in town.

Interviews with council members this week, however, suggest that the idea may be just that – an idea and not the policy nor even the clear intention of the council.

Here’s what is clear. During its budgetary meeting March 13, the council recommended that $750,000 worth of anticipated revenue from the sale of the Queen Street homes be added to the budget. At the same time, the council allocated that money to the town’s capital reserve fund in an effort to keep the reserve at a certain level. During the discussion, it was suggested that the money might someday be best used to buy open space to preclude development somewhere in town. However, money put into reserve can not be earmarked for any purpose, leaving the decision on how to use the money up to a future Legislative Council.

To assist the future council in determining how to use the money down the road, Council Chairman Pierre Rochman suggested the council state its intentions in the minutes. But the minutes – released this week, but still not formally approved by the council – do not clearly state that intention.

This week, opinions on the use of the money among council members ranged from using none of the $750,000 for open space to using all of it for open space. Most, however, say it all depends on what kind of land becomes available. Mr Rochman said he simply wants to avoid giving residents false expectations about how much money might be used.

“Some council members who made the motion thought it would be a good idea to use a good chunk of the money for open space,” he said Tuesday. “The general agreement was that it was a good idea, but a good idea does not a commitment make. I want to make sure there is a clear understanding that this latest vote was not necessarily a vote to use the money for open space. The actual decision will take place when a parcel becomes available and the council will have the ability to use that money.”

“We don’t want anybody thinking that we have $750,000 sitting someplace to buy open space,” Melissa Pilchard said Monday. “I don’t have any idea what future councils will use it for. If the ideal piece of property came up – especially if we can get matching funds from the state – then that may be the best use of the money. I just don’t think it will be $750,000.”

Council member Dan Rosenthal believes any money from the sale of the Queen Street property should go to buy open space, particularly if the town wants to buy enough land to make a real difference.

“We never actually voted on what we would do with the money, but the intent was in the spirit of acquiring open space,” he said this week. “I can’t speak for the entire council, but I did not hear anyone chime up and say they were against the idea. Anyone who spoke to the motion spoke in favor of acquiring open space.”

Mr Rochman admitted that the council needs to talk about this issue much more. He wants to make sure that money for open space be used in the most efficient way.

“To buy pieces of land to allow trails to interconnect does not further prevent additional houses from being built,” he said. “We need a plan. The [Open Space Task Force] needs to come to us to what our goal is with the open space. We can’t just put money in saying, ‘well, if something comes up we’ll think about it.’”

But he added, “If the right kind of parcel were to come along and the options were to buy it or look at a substantial residential development, I think the council would be open to spending a lot more than what we’re considering today.”

It should be noted that some council members are opposed to selling the Queen Street homes, Don Studley among them. He has been an advocate for demolishing the houses and keeping the land for town use either as open space or for future municipal space needs. Last year, he presented figures that indicated that selling the homes to families with school-age children would be costlier over time than simply tearing the houses down. Demolishing the buildings would save the town $809,000 over time, Mr Studley said.

Town officials say they would only consider selling the Queen Street homes if the town decides to buy Fairfield Hills.