Town Officials And Realtors Agree: There’s Something About Newtown

By Kendra Bobowick

Some gathered by the fireplace where the scent of forgotten ashes stirred. Others stood carefully, talking and cradling plates of finger foods or balancing a glass of pinot noir, merlot, maybe cabernet…

Standing on the hearth beside a coffee table in the Dana-Holcombe House, Legislative Council Chairman Will Rodgers and Selectman Paul Mangiafico glanced at the rooms as people politely squeezed past one another. Impressed with the group gathered to discuss the town’s commercial appeal, he said, “This is the group to address.” From quiet conversations jumped the words Fairfield Hills, properties, business opportunity, and other real estate catch-phrases — accessibility, location, workforce.

On Tuesday afternoon a gathering of influential real estate professionals, town officials, and business owners filled the hallways and downstairs rooms of the bed and breakfast on Main Street between 4 and 7 pm. Sponsored by Newtown’s Economic Development Commission (EDC), the first-time invite welcomed commercial brokers from the area to join the reception and “get to know us,” and get to know the town’s commercial opportunities, said Director of Planning and Community Development Elizabeth Stocker.

As EDC member Robert Morey would later explain to the guests assembled for brief discussions in the dining room, “This is where the rubber meets the road.” As the EDC chair had explained before the event, “It’s exposure. It’s telling [brokers] what Newtown is.” Ms Stocker had noted earlier that day, “It’s outreach…for the EDC and other officials to get together with brokers and introduce them to Newtown.”

What’s for sale? What properties are up for lease? Which businesses might enjoy the area? What are the upsides to locating commercial sites in Newtown? These and other questions are what local officials hoped to answer. As Mr Moray would soon point out to the men and women Tuesday, “You. You’re the influencers. We want you to see what we have to offer.” With a similar thought, Mr Rodgers had said minutes earlier, “Commercial realtors can get the word out there, saying Newtown is business friendly.”

What did the realtors think? Resident and broker Norman Urquhart with Coldwell Banker of Bethel explained, “I am interested. There is a lot of development going on…” But, is Newtown a good place to relocate or establish a business, for example? “Yes,” Mr Urquhart said. With him was Danbury-based Higgins Commercial Group broker Kerin Duffy who was simply interested in learning about new opportunities in Newtown.

As Will Ryan, a local teacher and server for the afternoon, worked his way through the reception, he greeted economic commission members, stopped to offer a bite to Mr Urquhart and Ms Duffy, then moved toward another room. Reaching for an hors d’oeuvre as Mr Ryan passed by was Tom Hill of Tom Hill Realty & Investments LLC, who spoke with Hal Kurfehs of Coldwell Banker, Bethel, and Bryan Atherton of Atherton & Associates of Shelton. Talking about shopping centers, leases, office space and retail, the men at last nodded agreeably that what may be working for the market now may not work tomorrow. “Nothing lasts forever,” they concluded.

Tucked into a corner were Newtown Chamber of Commerce President Peter Giarratano and EDC commission member John Torok, talking about what the town has to offer. Enjoying the reception, the chamber president said, “It’s great to showcase the business possibilities of Newtown and make people familiar with the town.” Do realtors ordinarily think of Newtown when they see a commercial space for a client? Mr Giarratano hopes the reception encourages such ideas for existing or relocating businesses.

Mr Torok reiterated what others in his group stressed — that the EDC was “reaching out.” He said, “We want to let people know it’s here.” Repeating an impression of town to which Mr Giarratano alluded, Mr Torok said, “People look at us like a bedroom community, but we have Route 25, Church Hill Road, and we have to bring that window of opportunity to light.”

With a nod to Ms Stocker, the economic commission, the selectmen, council members, and other officials mingling Tuesday, Mr Torok commended the degree of planning, research, and knowledge brought to the discussion of generating a commercial interest in Newtown. “A lot of communities make the mistake of rushing to develop and they ruin the community. We want ambiance, to keep the beauty and the history as we grow.” His message? Careful planning through teamwork, he said.

Guest speaker and Curtis Packaging and Curtis Corporate Park owner Don Droppo, Sr, spoke about business in Sandy Hook, for one. From his experience with a commercial perspective, he believes Newtown’s location is a selling point. His business at the corner of Toddy Hill Road and Route 34 is less than 30 seconds off of Interstate 84. What else makes town appealing? After thinking on the questions for some time, he finally decided that the answer is not a complicated formula, but something simple. “It’s a nice place, and that’s it. It comes back to choices and it comes back to Newtown.” He had explained earlier, “In my experience, commercial business is willing to spend money to get to Newtown to be in Newtown. It’s worth more to people.”

How did people respond to the afternoon reception? Bob Cascella, senior vice president of Higgins Commercial in Danbury, sent an e-mail to Ms Stocker that said, “Great Job! I was impressed with everything this afternoon, Newtown is light years ahead of the surrounding communities (thanks to you and a very hard working EDC and [Fairfield Hills] Advisory Group).”

From Mr Hill she received the following mail: “Thank you very much for inviting us to see the positive aspects of Newtown.” He also complimented John and Jane Vouros’s Inn at the Dana-Holcombe House.

What about a commission? Mr Hopper explained that commercial properties up for sale have a standard commission that is “in the price.” Town properties’ commissions are still under discussion. Ms Stocker later explained that other properties listed on the EDC site at Newtown.org are private sales.