Walnut Tree Village Is A Win-Win Proposition

To the Editor,

During the four years that I have lived in Walnut Tree Village I have read only one-sided negative press concerning the Village. Most of the content was gleaned from a handful of disgruntled Village residents, surrounding residents with their own axes to grind, and a parsimonious Planning and Zoning Board (P&Z approved the original layout for 80 condos with its narrow roads and short driveways and would now have us believe that all blame rests with the developers). Your reporting of the issues has been superficial with a tendency to exaggerate the negatives. Last week’s headline is a case in point. It’s a disgrace and an embarrassment to all residents of the Village. Anyone not familiar with the Village might assume that we are rife with insurmountable problems, which in reality is far from the truth.

Far from being a “gash in the hillside,” Walnut Tree Village is a great place to live. It is well designed, solidly constructed, aesthetically pleasing, and centrally located to all necessary shopping, etc. Easy access through the garage in all kinds of weather combined with living quarters all located on one level make it an ideal residence for the elderly. If you were to take a poll of the Village residents you would find that the majority are very satisfied with their purchase and are very happy to be living here. This is a unique and very desirable complex which has access to city water and sewer service without being located on a major thoroughfare. Like any new development of its size there have been several changes from concept through fruition, most of them executed by necessity due to unforeseen problems or for the good of the community. Many of the complaints cited by some residents in last week’s article are unfounded, trivial, or questionable. The root cause of dissention in the Village stems from the slow or lax resolution of problems in a timely manner. Most major problems have been resolved.

A few residents are very outspoken with their criticism of the developers; Lou and George and others are dissatisfied for one reason or another, but without them there would be no Walnut Tree Village. It was their foresight, their capital at risk, and their effort that made Walnut Tree Village a reality. We who live here should appreciate what they have accomplished. This is truly a great place to live and the many positive attributes of the Village far outweigh the negatives. Walnut Tree Village is a win-win proposition; it pays over $250,000 in property taxes without putting any demands on the town for schooling or road maintenance and it has provided a safe secure environment for the elderly.

Lawrence J. LaReau

27 St George Pl., Sandy Hook                                    April 19, 2000