The Legislative Council conducted a meeting via teleconference on the evening of Wednesday, July 15, with more than a dozen members of the public present.

On the agenda for discussion was the “potential referendum question to consider allowing housing within existing buildings at the Fairfield Hills campus as part of Fairfield Hills Master Plan Review Committee recommendation.”

Public Comments

First to speak was Newtown resident Gary MacRae, who was a selected member of the 2018 Fairfield Hills Master Plan Review Committee.

He explained that during his time on the committee, “We spent nearly a year soliciting input and active participation from local residents, town boards and commissions, and town departments… from September 2018 through January 2019, we focused on understanding the 2013 Master Plan, municipal needs, and the ongoing realities of the property.”

The 2018 committee also did a town-wide survey that was completed by 1,825 respondents and used all its research to prepare recommendations that were put in a final report dated July 19, 2019.

MacRae said a key recommendation regarding housing was, “to allow commercial proposals that included a housing component provided that the proposal is for no more than two existing buildings and that the commercial component is consistent with the vision of the property.”

He concluded by saying residents deserve a well thought out referendum question for the November 4 ballot and that if no action it taken it will just lead to “more decay of the buildings, even higher future demolition costs, and increased risks to public safety.”

Newtown resident and Board of Finance member Ned Simpson said that he believes what it comes down to is that “there is a choice of productive use, and productive use comes with housing, or demolition, which comes with cost.”

He emphasized that when the Yes/No ballot question is posed, it must not confuse voters, and should also educate them.

The last participant to speak was Newtown resident John Boccuzzi, representing the board of the Friends of Newtown Seniors (FONS).

He echoed the previous public comments about the options at hand for the property and what that means for the town.

He added, “Developing housing at Fairfield Hills will mitigate these issues and provide some financial reward for the town. However, my point in calling is to emphasize the need for the housing. The most livable communities offer a range of housing options, which respond to the need of young people just starting out, essential workers who are fully employed but earn below-average wages, and seniors and middle age individuals who are right sizing. Accessibility, affordability, and variety of housing options attract families and individuals across the spectrum of age and income that make up a community.”

Board Deliberations

Legislative Council Chair Paul Lundquist explained that while they can only discuss the potential referendum question that night, they could take action on it anytime after and that they are targeting to have it on the November ballot this year.

He read that it is currently worded, “Should the Town of Newtown consider commercial development proposals at Fairfield Hills Campus that include a housing component provided that any proposal is for no more than two existing buildings and that development is consistent with the vision of the property?”

Lundquist shared that the council has heard from the public the need to embed more information in the question. Some suggestions have been to include demolition costs and how a residential component could offset the expense.

To that, he explained that demolition costs are not fixed and that “A lot of people in both camps of being pro or con might have reasons why, but I don’t think we need to cover all of those potential reasons why, pros and cons on both sides, in the question wording itself. [The question] does need to be very straightforward and it does need to be answerable in a yes or no question.”

Lundquist also clarified that this public vote will be able to indicate the support for consideration of a residential component and will be added to the Master Plan of Fairfield Hill, but it does not mean that it will happen based on the vote alone.

After discussion of wording the question, some council members expressed that they would like more information added while others said they support the text as is.

First Selectman Dan Rosenthal said the question should be as specific as possible and that the town can supply explanatory text that is factually unbiased to be included when the public goes to vote.

Lundquist concluded the discussion about the ballot question by saying his fellow council members can e-mail him directly if they have any additional thoughts before the next meeting.

For more information about upcoming Legislative Council meetings, visit newtown-ct.gov/legislative-council.