The EDC Comments On Queen Street

(The following letter to the board of Selectmen has been received for publication)

Gentlemen:

Although the Economic Development Commission of Newtown (EDC) is not normally involved with many traffic studies in Newtown, we appreciate the opportunity to be part of the current one being undertaken by the Town of Newtown/Vollmer Associates. Since the appraisal involves traffic through and around the major economic development centers of Newtown, we are very concerned.

Queen Street, for example, has several major retail businesses and the Middle School at the north end, commercial establishments at the south end and an established day care center in the middle.

Queen Street presently provides an alternate route to the proposed “Newtown Center” in Fairfield Hills. Church Hill Road is primarily commercial from Queen Street to I-84 and then again in Sandy Hook. South Main Street has businesses located throughout its length to the Monroe town line.

We are very concerned that traffic on one or more of these roads will be diverted, restricted, or eliminated. We cannot ask businesses to remain or locate in Newtown if traffic flow is inadequate on these major thoroughfares.

The Economic Development Commission,

Chet Hopper, Chairman

45 Main Street, Newtown                                                May 5, 2006