To the Editor:

I have been a resident of Newtown since 1996. I chose Newtown for the expansive countryside and open space, reputation of its school system and absence of heavily constructed, densely populated and commercialized spaces contradictory to the quintessential New England feel and architecture of Newtown.

I completely understand the need for ‘downtown’ hamlets offering residents shopping, restaurants, gathering spaces and conveniences so that we don’t have to travel to Danbury and neighboring towns — and we can build and support our own local businesses.

However, the lack of Newtown not having a certified town/urban planner with long term vision and skill set to continue to attract residents and keep them, utilize the appropriate space for further residential development while maintaining the character and tradition of what makes Newtown special has resulted once again in another mismanaged and misguided acceptance of a development application by various town departments and officials.

It is now being opposed by the very people who are willing to pay our taxes to keep the charm and integrity of Newtown that we chose to call home.

Anyone with any sense of reason or rationale who visits this parcel of property and lays eyes on the surveyor stakes posted, is gobsmacked knowing that our leaders concluded that any aggressive/dense development of this property is appropriate and benefits Newtown.

Anything other than a congruous nod to the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, the State of CT parcels of farmland to the west, the Deep Brook, the Newtown dog park, the Newtown Animal Control Center and the 2nd Company Governor’s Horse Guard, all ‘animal use’ areas is obviously wrong for this parcel.

Our natural resources are irreplaceable and worth more than the sale of this property and tax revenue which will permanently destroy not only this property with acres of impervious surface, light pollution, vehicular and garbage pollutants, etc, but will directly affect the Deep Brook’s water quality and the environmental restoration accomplishments and land stewardship of the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary and all wildlife who call this area home. Let’s remember, wildlife does not adhere to property lines and rain water does not fall at the rate required by a catch basin and filtration system’s limitations.

I ask that all Newtown Planning and Zoning and Inland Wetlands commission members reject the application by Teton Capital and also work with the appropriate Newtown departments or the State of CT to rezone/reclassify this parcel either as conservation or a soft farm/ag/animal use harmonious with its immediate surrounding parcels.

Respectfully submitted,

Richard King

Newtown