FFH Master Plan Review Committee Begins Its Work

By Kendra Bobowick

Michael Floros and Bob Maurer emerged as leaders of the Fairfield Hills Master Plan Review Committee at the committee’s organizational meeting this week, elected as chairman and vice chairman, respectively, following all members’ attendance at a Board of Selectmen’s meeting earlier this month.

Questions accompanied their nominations, however, as member Deborra Zukowski asked Mr Floros, “How does your history with Fairfield Hills sit with people?”

Earlier in the meeting Mr Floros had introduced himself and added that he had served on an ad hoc committee more than ten years ago that had recommended that the town purchase Fairfield Hills. As Ms Zukowski made her introductions, she noted how “scary” and political Fairfield Hills plans have become, prompting her question to Mr Floros.

The new chairman answered, “I don’t know — to me it’s what is best for the town’s future. There will be some people who are pleased and some who are not pleased, no matter what we do.” He added that his involvement with Fairfield Hills took place after the previous ad hoc committee had made its recommendation. He noted his work on that panel was completed before 2001 and before Fairfield Hills became a political issue for parties in town during the past two municipal elections. Most arguments arose regarding points in the master plan for the campus reuse. Mr Floros did not participate in the plan’s development.

Addressing Ms Zukowski, member Gary Steele inquired, “Why do you ask?”

She answered, “We need a chair with credibility. I know if he were a part of this …” She picked up her copy of the current master plan, “then we might have a problem.” Considering that he was several years out of the process when the master plan took shape, she said, “I don’t think we have to worry.”

Considering her statement, Mr Steele said, “I agree, to an extent.” Mr Floros’s would be the public face for the board, reflecting board’s sentiments.

“It sounds like no problem,” member Ben Roberts added.

All voted in favor of Mr Floros for chairman.

A dual nomination of Bob Maurer and Paul Lundquist for vice chair sparked discussion. Having heard earlier from Mr Lundquist that his goal is to “understand the voice of the consumer,” he had added how that “leverages in” to understanding the public’s desires for Fairfield Hills. Turning to face Mr Maurer, Ms Zukowski asked him, “What would you bring” to the vice chairman’s position?

“Organization is my forte, I put deals together, I like to get in and make things work and think on things and make them better,” he responded.

Mr Lundquist spoke again, saying, “I am waiting to be driven by what the consumer tells us. We want input from many organizations and a baseline of knowledge. I am looking to guide this through the process and make sure what we do reflects what the community needs.”

Speaking for Mr Maurer, Steven zVon, an alternate on the board, said, “Twenty-five years ago Newtown was far different than it is today…’” He noted that part of him wanted to say, “I want someone who was here a long time ago and won’t lose the flavor of Newtown.”

Ms Zukowski asked, “If a person is the chair or vice chair, does that change the way they act on the committee?”

“Not really,” several members echoed.

“The chair is the face for the public,” Mr Steele said. The chair also coordinates the agenda and the meeting materials, for example, then runs the meetings. The vice chair would stand in for the chairman during the chair’s absence.

Members briefly debated if political party affiliation should be a consideration for the chair and vice chair positions. Michael Mossbarger expressed concern for public perception.

Mr Steele stressed, “We’ll all walk out of the room on the same team.”

Following his comment, Mr Roberts added, “This committee wasn’t selected based on [political party] balance.”

Noting another dimension to perceptions, Ms Zukowski wondered about the town’s age groups, such as the senior community, and those with children in the schools. The review committee comprises both.

Dennis Kyle supported a balance, “I think people would be receptive to that.”

A quick paper ballot vote selected Mr Maurer as the vice chairman.

With only a few items on the agenda, the members began first with introductions:

Michael Flores has been in town 17 years, and served on an ad hoc that had recommended that the town purchase Fairfield Hills.

Gary Steele has been in town for 14 years.

Ben Roberts has been in Newtown 11 years.

Stephen zVon has been in town for 25 years.

Dennis Kyle has lived in Sandy Hook for 68 years, and has served on the Legislative Council.

Bob Maurer has lived in town for 32 years.

Michael Mossbarger has been in Newtown nearly four years

Alan Shepherd introduced himself as a “lifer.”

Nancy Roznicki has been in Newtown for nearly 13 years

Deb Zukowski has lived in town for eight, and vowed, “I am here, I’ll try to do my best.”

While flipping through calendar days, the availability of meeting rooms, conflicts with other town boards and commissions, members wondered aloud when they might find the best time to meet.

They have tentatively scheduled Friday, July 9, and Monday, July 26, meetings, beginning at 7 pm  in the Newtown Municipal Center.

Despite the group’s eagerness to make a fresh start in its review the master plan for Fairfield Hills, long-familiar political concerns confront the group almost immediately. Resident Ruby Johnson spoke during public participation, reminding the group, “You can be helped by what other people thought and felt” during past Fairfield Hills decisions, which became contentious and political between 2001 and today.

Ms Johnson offered them background paperwork from past consultants. She also noted past disagreements that had fueled political contention in the past two municipal elections, stressing first that the original bonded $21 million was meant to be “enough” for the Fairfield Hills project — a point not met with universal agreement.

Ms Johnson also reiterated a point frequently raised by Independent Party of Newtown members and stressed recently by IPN selectman Bill Furrier — that a cost-benefit analysis would be welcomed. The priority of such an analysis was debated among selectman in a recent meeting.

A meeting schedule for the Fairfield Hills Master Plan Review Committee still depended on the availability of a meeting room as The Bee went to press this week.