To The Editor:

Well over $4 million dollars. That’s what 6 Commerce was appraised for "highest and best use." On top of that the Town would get millions in property tax over the years. Lost revenue that Newtown taxpayers will have to make up if 6 Commerce becomes open space.

In 2020 the Town commissioned a professional appraisal to value selling 6 Commerce. This was after of years of efforts and Town expense to make the 40+ acre parcel the State granted to Newtown for economic development in 1996. To make use of this parcel Newtown had to subdivide and obtain many State approvals to create a marketable parcel. What is now 6 Commerce. After years of effort and expense the Town had viable buyers.

In 2014, Catherine Violet Hubbert Sanctuary (CVH) was granted a 30+ acre parcel south of 6 Commerce. Newtown taxpayers have given substantial support to facilitate development of this property. A temporary bridge on Old Farm Road over Deep Brook was provided The Town made an agreement to give CVH for an easement over Town property for a paved road, water, and sewer access. Newtown would pay half the cost of the driveway from the proceeds of selling 6 Commerce. All the legal, engineering and permitting costs for the easement, and access were paid for by the Town. CVH has gone ahead and installed a gravel drive, forgoing the town water and sewer, that was included in the site plan approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission. This resulted in unnecessary wells being drilled and will require private sewage treatment.

According to the Newtown Conservation Commission, there are approximately 2,000 acres of town-owned open space that are preserved and protected in Newtown. Additionally, the Newtown Forest Association, a private land trust, owns and protects over 1,400 acres of land in Newtown, bringing the total amount of conservation land in the town to over 3,400 acres. From the original property the Town received from the State 25 years ago, 30+ open space acres will be added to open space. Adding 14 acres at the cost of millions of dollars is a bad trade-off.

Social media has a picture of someone wistfully looking over the wall at CVH. There back is to 6 Commerce. Whatever is developed at 6 Commerce will not be seen sitting in that spot looking over the wall. The mission of CVH will not be impacted by development of 6 Commerce, development that the Town had been investing in long before CVH existed.

Newtown enjoys thousands of acres of open space. Newtown needs more non-residential property tax revenue, housing, and jobs. 6 Commerce can provide that.

I encourage the First Selectman, BOS and LC to reactivate effort to sell 6 Commerce for development as intended. Don’t add millions of dollars in tax load on residents

Ned Simpson

Sandy Hook