Conservationists Make Appeals To Protect Waterways At FFH

By Kendra Bobowick

A proposed modification to include a “water feature” to the Fairfield Hills plans for reuse compelled preservation-minded resident Joseph Hovious to speak out recently. On behalf of the Candlewood Valley Trout Unlimited (TU) chapter, he addressed the Fairfield Hills Authority members on April 17. Mr Hovious is also Newtown’s Conservation Commission chairman.

“We were a bit surprised at the modifications to see the water feature there,” he said. “We’re concerned about the drainage coming out of Fairfield Hills.”

Anticipating Shelton House’s demolition, designers had proposed the water feature, or reemergence of groundwater that is now running below the building, by creating a pond.

He argues that the water would pool and become too warm, adding increased temperature to Deep Brook, for one, and potentially diverting water that would otherwise run into the brook.

Mr Hovious explained that he wants to maintain the stream’s environment. The modified Fairfield Hills plans became clear April 12 at a Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing, which was continued on April 19. Ultimately dropped from plans, the pond triggered overall environmental concerns about the campus reuse.

Will the land and the water be protected as development moves ahead at Fairfield Hills? Between P&Z hearing dates Mr Hovious had gone to the authority for answers.

“Anything we do on campus we want to make sure is environmentally sound,” said Chairman Robert Geckle.

Member Amy Dent offered additional confirmation. More specifically addressing Mr Hovious’s inquiries about the waterways, she said, “It has been a concern to protect and improve the integrity of Deep Brook.”

Both Deep Brook and the Pootatuck River are in the direct path of run-off from Fairfield Hills, and also the point where groundwater collects, said Mr Hovious. Concerns over the ground and surface water near the Pootatuck River have also drawn attention from another aquifer advocate, the Pootatuck Watershed Association (PWA). The aquifer — another formation under environmentalists’ protective watch — is partly nestled beneath Fairfield Hills.

The elevated campus located at the heart of town along Wasserman Way is a cascade of rolling fields sloping down toward Queen Street on the southwestern end where the land curves upward again toward Route 25. Rolling downward in the opposite northeastern direction, the campus leads toward Interstate 84. In-between sits Reed Intermediate School and The Second Governor’s Horse Guard. Downhill from these two areas is an environmental feature to the north, and gaining much attention from the conservationists in town, the junction of Deep Brook and the Pootatuck River. Deep Brook alone is one of Trout Unlimited’s long-term projects. In the past year the organization has used grant funds for bank restoration on stretches of Deep Brook adjacent to the campus. Another grant for the brook preservation will apply to upcoming projects.

Working Together

At the mid-April authority meeting amid a week of heavy rain that flooded many basements and riverbanks, Mr Hovious expanded on his drainage worries. “[We’re] interested in how the storm water and base flow of cold water from Fairfield Hills campus impacts Deep Brook.” He then asked how the authority and TU might work together.

“There is a chance at long-term water management,” he said. “I would like to build a bridge to work with the town so impacts of Fairfield Hills on Deep Brook are positive.” The authority granted his wish. Mr Geckle said, “We want to work with you. We’re in synch with your concerns.”

Member John Reed said, “I think for a dialogue information has to go back and forth…and go through a mutual education process.” He also expressed a sense of urgency. “I think we want to get a dialogue before people feel the train is pulling out without them.” He also mentioned the Reed Intermediate School oil spill discovered in December of 2004, among other conditions, such as erosion, that threaten the brook.

“I think with the history of the trout stream [Trout Unlimited] is justifiably concerned,” he said.

Mr Reed later said, “I would be happy to go if I am asked to represent the authority.” The project management firm overseeing the Fairfield Hills development, O&G Industries Inc, should establish the meetings, he said. Considering the amount of work taking place at Fairfield Hills, he can understand uncertainties regarding the authority’s planning. “Information and communication is an ongoing challenge,” Mr Reed said.

Authority members are prepared to “build a bridge to work with the town,” as Mr Hovious had requested. Mr Reed stressed, “Once the communication starts I think people will be reassured. We need to be more proactive with our communication with [Trout Unlimited].”

Future decisions at the former state hospital campus will “absolutely” keep the environment in mind, Ms Dent said. “I am open to working with the environmental people in town.” She said, “[Mr Hovious] could bring things to the table and it makes sense to have him there.” She also stressed that the environmental proponents “must also be willing to be educated,” referring to the consultants working with her committee.

As reuse plans progress, Ms Dent sees the benefit of having preservationists’ perspectives. “I hope it gives us information to proceed in an informed way — that has been our intention all along.” Reacting to Mr Hovious’s recent concerns raised at the authority meeting, she said, “This is not new, but things are becoming more concrete.”

“The challenge we have is to understand what’s up there and devise a strategy,” Mr Reed said. “I would say most of the authority are environmentally sensitive. People on the authority want to do the right thing.”

Speaking of his own expectations, Mr Reed said, “I want our standards to be high standards.”

Several critical points are among the information Mr Hovious hopes planners will keep in mind. “Among the things we thought [the authority] needed was mapping for discharge and inlets.”

As an authority member and planning subcommittee chairman, Ms Dent said, “We’ve brought up Deep Brook and the aquifer before, they’re priorities that have to be kept at the forefront.”

Behind The Scenes

This story begins in 2005.

“It was a point in time when they started the [contaminated soil] remediation,” Mr Hovious said. “We were concerned then about protecting the stream long-term.” At that time TU had provided the authority with a list of suggestions and goals and presented a package.

“I was concerned they had been lost,” He said. “With the water feature there was concern so I am trying to do planning ahead of time rather than after the fact.”

Four specific points have topped Mr Hovious’s priorities for several years. First, he feels the authority needs mapping for water discharges and inlets. Second, he promotes maintaining cool ground water flow. With the water feature in mind, he said, “Don’t dam or pool up water, particularly cool water coming in.”

Third, he sees an opportunity to minimize car fluid spills, for example. Thinking of parking lots he said, “Typically you have surface drainage situation — say a gas tank ruptures — so you get it in a catch basin to separate the materials” Lastly, he said, “Try to mitigate temperature fluctuation from heated run-off into the stream.”