Date: Fri 01-Aug-1997

By ANDY GOROSKO

Published: Aug 11, 1999 12:00 am

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

Curtis-Packaging-zoning-P&Z

Full Text:

Curtis Packaging Gets Zone Change For Warehouse

BY ANDREW GOROSKO

Curtis Packaging Corporation has obtained a zone change from R-1 Residential

to M-4 Industrial for land it has on Toddy Hill Road adjacent to its

manufacturing plant.

Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members Thomas Paisley, James Boylan and

Daniel Rosenthal unanimously approved the zone change at a July 24 session.

Curtis Packaging sought the change of zone as a preliminary step for the

proposed construction of an approximately 40,000-square-foot warehouse and

distribution center in the future.

Attorney Robert Hall, representing Curtis Packaging, said the firm will return

to the P&Z with a site plan specifying what it wants to build on the property,

which has been used for surface mining by Newtown Sand and Gravel.

It isn't practical for an applicant to completely design a site before a zone

change for it has been obtained, noted P&Z member Heidi Winslow.

Applicants typically disclose what type of development they have in mind in

seeking a zone change, but they are not bound to build only the structures

they have described after obtaining a zone change, Ms Winslow explained.

Obtaining M-4 zoning allows an applicant to pursue any of the various land

uses permitted by M-4 zoning rules, she said.

Mr Rosenthal said converting the property's zoning to M-4 is probably the most

practical way to develop the eight acres. Warehouses aren't allowed in areas

with R-1 zoning.

The improvements to the Toddy Hill Road property planned by Curtis Packaging

probably would improve traffic flow onto and off of the site, Ms Winslow said.

Building a warehouse also would enhance the town's tax base, she noted.

The company expanded its facilities in 1960, again during the 1970s, and again

in 1983. The firm employs approximately 175 people.

If the company is to continue growing and remain viable, it needs the zone

change to allow the land to be used for industrial purposes, Mr Hall has told

P&Z members.

Curtis CEO Don Droppo has explained to P&Z members the company manufactures

various boxes for consumer products such as golf balls, children's clay,

fashion products and tools.

Due to a lack of space at its Sandy Hook facility, Curtis has had to rent

expensive warehouse space in Waterbury, according to Mr Droppo. Curtis wants

to build a warehouse on its property because it makes better financial sense

to do that than renting space in Waterbury.

Curtis has had a long commitment to Newtown, according to Mr Hall. Granting a

zone change to allow construction of a new industrial building won't pose

problems to any actively used residential property in the area, he said.

The rezoned land is flat because it has been mined out.

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Well that is some spin. The Democrats have a super majority on the LC and passed the Education Budget without serious consideration of if the voters could afford the multi million dollar increase. "Was the request justified?" rather than "is this needed?" and "can the voters shoulder yet another large increase?" The voters rightly sent it back. Then for some reason all the discussion around reductions to the increase seemed to be coming from the classroom, rather than administration and overhead costs. Is this a coercive tactic to manipulate parents into supporting the budget like tacit threat of cutting freshman sports was two years ago? Who believes the Democrats did not caucus privately before the meeting and came in with a number already worked out? This is the Dems budget, they own it.

Education Cuts: Who Voted For What

I think it is important that we do not villainize every black box seen around a home, business, farm, or municipal property. A black exterior station does not always mean rat poison is being used. These stations can hold a number of different products, including monitoring blocks, snap traps, non-toxic bait, anti-tick bait stations, organic salt- or cornmeal-based control products, and newer fertility-control approaches intended to reduce rodent populations without traditional poisons. The better conversation, in my opinion, is not simply “black boxes are bad,” but rather: what is inside them, who is maintaining them, and whether the rodent issue is being managed responsibly. Exclusion, sanitation, trapping, habitat reduction, and careful monitoring should all be part of a responsible IPM strategy. To be fair, on my own property I do use rodenticides, including Bromethalin and Bromadiolone, in secured bait stations. But that is a choice I make for my property, based on my circumstances and the risk I am trying to manage. I also believe property owners should understand the tradeoffs and be encouraged to use the least harmful effective method whenever possible. I support protecting Newtown’s wildlife. I also support giving residents accurate information and not assuming that every black box represents reckless or unsafe pest control. The goal should be responsible rodent management, not fear of the box itself.

Discusses Policy Against Rodenticides

Debora, thank you! I accidentally doubled the project prices by adding the bond to the appropriation. Thank you so much for catching that and pointing it out. With the corrected numbers, the voters approved a combined $1.32 million for a salt shed ($600k) and library pavement ($720k), while rejecting the $1.12 million replacement turf. Regarding the 80s, I truly respect the hurdle of 14% mortgage rates. My point is simply that the math has shifted: in 1980, while the rates were higher, the price of a home relative to earnings was significantly lower. We are facing a different, but equally crushing, financial wall. Ultimately, it is disheartening that voters who recognized safe sidewalks and parking lots as essential, dismissed a playing field in the exact same condition. The turf has passed its life cycle and is just as much of a liability as the library’s pavement, the only difference is that this safety concern affects thousands of children who, coincidentally, cannot vote. These are apples-to-apples needs. I was hopeful our community would agree that all Newtown residents deserve safe conditions, regardless of which facility they utilize. Again, I would be remiss not to mention that when 82% of residents don’t show up, we have to deal with the interests of those who did. Hopefully, the next referendum will have a bigger turnout.

The ‘Me’ Generation

Thanks for the reply. I meant the numbers you presented in your letter. I found one place where other numbers were listed: https://www.newtownbee.com/04232026/get-out-and-vote-on-the-2026-27-proposed-municipal-and-school-budgets/?q=\\\%22advisory%20questions\\\%22. In that article, the numbers were cited as: Treadwell field: $1,125,000 Library: $720,000 Salt Storage: $600,000 As one who started out in the early 80's when inflation was double digits, my 1985 mortgage rate was 14%, and child care costs were comparable (in present value), I shared your grief but never considered the voters ironic or shameful. PS. I agree college tuition is ridiculous. Thankfully, universities are offering (or considering) waiving all or most tuition for middle class families (upwards of $200,000 incomes). Hopefully, they'll also reconsider their need for those funds in the first place.

Sure! Child care costs: https://www.ffyf.org/2022/10/13/data-child-care-prices-continue-to-rise-ahead-of-midterm-elections-outpacing-inflation/ (also from 2021-2025 we had 2 children in a local daycare in Newtown and it cost us $3200 a month, so that's a number I am very familiar with) Home price / median price vs income source: https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/home-price-income-ratios Tuition increase vs inflation: https://feed.georgetown.edu/access-affordability/noting-a-decline-in-middle-class-students-colleges-provide-more-aid/ Hope this helps :)

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Date: Fri 01-Aug-1997

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