Preserving A Piece Of Town’s Agricultural History

By Kendra Bobowick

Monday afternoon saw 90 degrees with a heaviness that drew moisture steadily from Roger Bruneau’s brow. Similarly dabbing at the dewy back of his neck after climbing down a ladder was Roger’s brother, Reggie Bruneau. The two had spent the hottest part of the day at work shouldering direct sunlight and working through reflected heat bouncing up from the rooftop where they tore away the old shingles from the red barn on Queen Street.

Using the claw end of a pry bar and shuffling it beneath the weathered tiles, the men jostled loose the old materials that were no longer keeping farmers’ hay dry. Between songs from the radio propped on the tailgate came the sound of wood splintering, then a clatter as it the ground.

The barn — a necessity to farmers leasing nearby land — sits on less than an acre that, slightly more than a year ago, had caused State Representative Julia Wasserman concern. On state Department of Agriculture land, and at one time maintained by the state’s Department of Public Works, the barn was showing signs of a serious need for repair, including the rapidly deteriorating roof. Unfortunately the state was not inclined to maintain the structure.

A year ago, Rep Wasserman had said, “If there’s no barn, there’s no farmers. And if we lose that barn, then what? In a few years, you would likely see houses being developed on that property.” She also indicated that the barn and parcel’s conservation would help retain one of Newtown’s most visible legacies of its agricultural heritage. Off the eastern side of Queen Street, the structure sits behind Kathy and Robert Geckle’s House. In the distance are the brick structures of the former Fairfield Hills state psychiatric hospital, sprawling hills and an unbroken skyline.

The Geckles had become involved, and with Rep Wasserman’s help in Hartford, established a conservation trust that would cover the cost of repairs to the roof, and hopefully retain the established farmers who are working the land. Rep Wasserman had said at the time that Mr Geckle was “doing the town a big favor” by stepping in and leveraging foundation funds to protect and preserve the barn, which in turn will continue to block residential development on the adjoining land.

This week the work began. On Monday, Ms Geckle walked out behind her house, shielded her eyes, and looked up toward the brothers from Reggie P. Home Improvements. She and her husband have begun the work for preserving the barn for agricultural use. Pointing to one side of the roof, she noted the plastic sheeting where the farmers had attempted to keep the hay beneath dry. The bales had gotten wet, however.

“Extremely pleased” to hear that the work was moving ahead this week, Rep Wasserman said Wednesday, “I think that’s great.” Remembering her words that the barn was a visible reminder of the town’s farming roots, she said, “Absolutely, it’s evident.” As an animal owner herself she noted the importance of dry hay. “It’s critical,” she said. Regarding the Geckles’ efforts, she said, “He went out of his way to fix the barn.”

Also spending a moment Wednesday morning to think back roughly a year, then-first selectman Herb Rosenthal remembered, “We were pleased.” Pleased that the barn and a scenic vista in town would be spared from development, and pleased that the Geckles “stepped up” and were willing to repair the barn.

As Mr Rosenthal recalls, the state was not willing to finance repairs. Ms Wasserman had approached Mr Rosenthal, but the town was not prepared to take on the liability, either. The Geckles were the answer the farmers needed. While the town had sold adjacent acres, the barn and open view of hillsides and rooftops at Fairfield Hills remains undisturbed.