Is It Worth 1/10th Of A Mill?

To the Editor:

The Fairfield Hills Authority dislikes a third party like me reporting to the public on the actions of the authority. It would prefer citizens attend their meetings — third Tuesdays, 7:30 pm, Town Hall South. Busy people just can’t come, and another point of view is valuable for citizens to consider.

Had you attended the May 15 FFHA meeting, you would have heard the chairman say, “The town attorney recommends that when the town accepts a lease, there be a policy that upfront funds be used for improvement to the property.” (FFHA minutes.) Thus, not placed in the general fund so that the public could vote on how it is used.

June 19 FFHA meeting: 1. Authority will set up its own tax structure using State Authority laws. No details given.

2. The current 2007 financial statement reports Operating Expenses: HMA Consultants, $7,977; North American Realty, $91,921. FFH bonds: O&G Engineering, $366,819.

3. Authorized demolition of Fairfield Hall (abatement, $ 231,000; demolition, $194,000 (plus change order costs), and baseball field site work, $790,000). Chairman stated, “The contracts are signed and the train has left the station.” (The Bee July 6, 2007) In other words, citizens shouldn’t bother to protest; the authority won’t listen.

4. Bridgeport Hall/town hall project delayed – need updated cost estimates.

5. Unspent FFH bond money balance is $13,130,316.

6. Postponed spending $789,840 bond money for mothballing buildings; instead, hope for state grant.

7. Will develop website.

8. Executive session to discuss real estate negotiations.

9. Received report from the town assessor, using reassessment values for 2008. If a developer were given a 40–50 year lease and allowed to construct a new, 75,000-square-foot building on 12 acres of land, estimated yearly taxes received would be: building, $240,000; land, $15,400. Using current assessment values, in 2008, $255,400 would be worth less than 1/10th of one mill.

Is this small amount of tax revenue worth using 12 acres for a monstrous building? Open space is precious to our quality of life. What a shame these town leaders want to fill up Fairfield Hills with buildings that generate so little tax revenue, draw employees who may move into town, and add children to the schools. We need to save Fairfield Hills for municipal projects and precious open space. Many people would welcome new businesses in Newtown, but should taxpayers buy expensive land and proceed to act as a large developer? The town lacks the financial resources and the skill for the task. Interested businesses that want to locate in Newtown should buy their own land and risk their own money.

The underlying issues remain. Should the town act as a developer? Is 1/10th of a mill in tax revenue worth the risks, and can we afford to accelerate growth?

Ruby Johnson

16 Chestnut Hill Road, Sandy Hook                              July 11, 2007