Date: Fri 09-Feb-1996

By KAAREN VALENTA

Published: Aug 11, 1999 12:00 am

Publication: Bee

Author: KAAREN

Quick Words:

selectmen-open-space-road

Full Text:

Selectmen Deny Request For Road Across Open Space

B Y K AAREN V ALENTA

Acting on the advice of the town attorney, the Board of Selectmen Monday night

rejected a developer's request to construct a road across a strip of

town-owned open space.

The issue of whether to allow Palmer-Mathison builders to construct a road

connecting Alpine Circle with Jeremiah Road had brought many residents to the

January 22 selectmen's meeting, but only a handful came, and none spoke, at

Monday night's meeting.

Town Attorney David Grogins said he had been asked an opinion on two issues:

whether the selectmen could sell open space for the purpose of extending a

dead-end road to connect with a town road; and whether the town can limit the

number of dwellings on a dead-end road.

The town is limited in its ability to sell open space, Mr Grogins said. The

land originally was deeded to the town as part of a subdivision approval, so

there are rights that accrue to those people who live in the subdivision.

Mr Grogins explained that those residents may have bought their properties

specifically because of the adjacent open space and "they count on the fact

that the parcel will forever remain open space." To sell the land would

require approval of all of the property owners in the subdivison plus approval

by the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Board of Selectmen, the Legislative

Council and a town meeting.

"The town has never sold open space," he said. "In a very few cases we have

exchanged or traded open space for other land."

On the second question, Mr Grogins said the town has a right "clearly related

to health and safety" to limit the number of houses on a dead-end road.

Selectman James Mooney asked whether P&Z could change the regulation which

currently limits the number of homes to 15. "Could there be 20, 15, or as few

as 6 (homes) allowed as long as there are health and safety reasons which

would stand up in court?" Mr Mooney asked.

Mr Grogins agreed. "The regulation limits the number to 15, but there could be

fewer allowed," he said.

The issue involved a proposal to build 17 homes on a piece of property that

fronts on Alpine Circle. There already are 13 homes on the dead-end road.

Larry Edwards, an engineer who represents builders Robert Mathison of Sandy

Hook and Emery Palmer of Washington, had asked for permission to build the

road across the narrow strip of town-owned land because P&Z did not want to

allow more than the 15 houses permitted under the existing regulation.

First Selectman Bob Cascella said the land in question was donated to the town

12 years ago and is part of the trails and greenway connections between

town-owned open space.

"I don't think we have any latitude to use open space for (a road)," Mr Mooney

said.

Selectman Gary Fetzer made a motion to deny the request for an easement to put

a road across open space. The motion passed 3-0.

At the January 22 meeting several residents objected to the proposed road,

saying it would bring more traffic and encourage more development along

Jeremiah Road. Others, who live in the Riverside area, were in favor of the

road because it would provide a second access to their homes for use by

emergency vehicles.

The Way We Were

Malcolm Andrew 'Andy' Bryant

Top Of The Mountain

Garden Club Spring Plant Sale Saturday

Full Slate Of May Programs Planned By Flagpole Photographers

The editorial took no position on the budget going up or down so you're reading things into the editorial that simply aren't there. The turnout is tied to the lack of passage, in that people who came out to vote last time did not this time, indicating a lack of support on their part. Perhaps it wasn't spelled out clearly enough, but that's what the editorial was driving at, people showing lack of support by not casting a vote. The editorial did address likely concerns among voters that may have led to lack of support and lack of turnout. This lower turnout also follows increasing turnout over the past four referendums in three years (meaning it is an aberration from that), and increased turnout is something that I do push for regularly in editorials. Any disappointment you might be seeing is at the break in that trend, not at whether the budget passed or not. I'd rather see more people come out and vote "no" then not vote at all.

Lower Turnout Results In Two Budget Defeats

Clearly, property owners no longer want to bear the burden of expenses while the state does not meet it’s responsibilities. Rising costs must be addressed by actions that do not include yearly increases of property owners’ taxes. The state of CT must meet its share of the educational costs, and other costs.

Town And School Budgets Fail At Referendum

This feels like an oddly misleading headline and narrative, particularly coming from the Editorial Board. The headline "Lower Turnout Results in Two Budget Defeats" pushes a misleading narrative regarding voter turnout, and then seeks to tie the outcome of the referendum to that misleading narrative. Sure, voter turn out for this year's referendum, 18%, was lower than last year's. However, last year's turnout, 25.4%, represented the highest turnout in the most recent 10 budget referendums. If you take the time to examine turnout percentages between 2017 and 2026 (2017: 19.9, 2018: 15.7, 2019: 17, 2020: 0, 2021: 8.98, 2022: 7.7, 2023: 8.8, 2024: 15.1/17.49, 2025: 25.4, 2026: 18), this year's turnout was actually the third highest in the past 10 cycles. Perhaps the headline of this article should say "Lower Voter Turnout Than Last Year", which is more accurate, rather than creating an impression that this year's turnout is some type of aberration - a narrative that the turnout numbers, in all their binary glory, simply do not support. Further, the headline of this article appears to tie the "lower turnout" to the defeated budgets. Sure, that could be true. But, perhaps, its more likely that Newtown residents are feeling the squeeze of multiple economic influences. In Newtown, we've experienced property revaluations and increased municipal spending. Eversource continues to raise rates. The state legislature gives PURA the authority to impose Public Benefit charges that benefit a tiny percentage of the public (and subsequently burdening the rest of us). At the national level, inflation has run rampant for years and many of those costs remain high to this day. In short, the data tells a far less dramatic—and far more honest—story than the headline suggests. This wasn’t an electorate vanishing in apathy; it was a fairly typical turnout delivering an verdict that, perhaps, some at the Editorial Board didn't like. At some point, it’s worth considering that residents aren’t confused, disengaged, or misled by turnout; they’re simply doing math at their kitchen tables and concluding that “no” is the only responsible answer left.

Enjoyed the forum which only confirmed my support for Brandon Moore as the Democratic candidate to run for the state representative position. Brandon Moore did not waiver about his duty to all the people, if elected, when an issue presents itself that requires that he voice a difference of opinion for the wellbeing of Newtown residents. If Michelle Ku’s 16 years have led to her loyalty being to other elected officials, as she implied, then Newtown is going to continue to witness actions that do not protect its residents. She could not unseat republican, Mitch Bolinsky, during a Blue Wave, and once again, will not do it now. Winning that seat is critical for all. That explains why her previous campaign committee now campaigns for Brandon Moore. It explains all the endorsements he has received from local elected democratic officials. It’s why we need Brandon Moore to be the democratic candidate to run for state representative.

Second Newtown DTC, League Of Women Voters Candidates Event Planned

Appreciated the opportunity to hear from both candidates as we were present for the College Dems forum but only heard from Brandon Moore. It was an opportunity to see who can unseat the Republican incumbent and there is no doubt that Brandon Moore should be the Democratic candidate. One concerned parent posed a question about discrimination unaddressed by the school district and interestingly enough, Michelle Ku, who proudly speaks of her Board membership years, said little, while Brandon Moore passionately addressed the issue along with his experience as an Apache Helicopter Commander. This family is supporting Brandon Moore. We need change and someone who is not afraid to disagree, especially about the rising costs of living in Newtown.

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Date: Fri 09-Feb-1996

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