Date: Fri 13-Dec-1996

By ANDY GOROSKO

Published: Aug 11, 1999 12:00 am

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

P&Z-Autumn-Ridge-tie-vote

Full Text:

P&Z Seeks To Break Tie Vote On Autmun Ridge Proposal

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

The Autumn Ridge residential subdivision proposal is scheduled for Planning

and Zoning Commission (P&Z) action December 19.

Autumn Ridge, which was initially proposed as a 10-lot subdivision on 42 acres

west of Butterfield Road, drew an unusual 2-to-2 tie vote from P&Z members on

November 21, requiring that the tie be broken.

P&Z Chairman John DeFilippe said December 5 he plans to conduct a second vote

on the development proposal December 19.

Mr DeFilippe said he will listen to audiotapes of a past public hearing on

Autumn Ridge to make him eligible to vote on the development proposal, and

possibly break the tie. He wasn't present at the public hearing.

The applicant for Autumn Ridge has proposed that two lots envisioned for the

ten-lot subdivision be combined, resulting in a nine-lot subdivision in light

of P&Z members' concerns about the development project, Mr DeFilippe said.

The chairman said the vote on Autumn Ridge slated for December 19 will be on a

proposed nine-lot subdivision, not the ten-lot subdivision proposal which had

resulted in the 2-to-2 tie.

On November 21, P&Z member Heidi Winslow made a motion to approve Autumn Ridge

provided that the developers met several conditions. The proposed conditions

would have required the developers to: reposition a stormwater detention basin

on the site, build wider shoulders on a proposed road, install an underdrain

along the road, redirect the discharge of a footing drain, reconfigure a

driveway to make it safer, and post a $165,000 road construction bond.

When the development project came to a vote, Ms Winslow and P&Z member Thomas

Paisley voted in favor.

However, recently-appointed P&Z members James Boylan and Daniel Fogliano voted

against the project, resulting in the tie vote.

Mr Boylan expressed concern over the presence of a natural gas transmission

pipeline at the development site.

Mr Fogliano said the proposal was "not prudent," adding that the wetland area

proposed as the subdivision's open space isn't usable land.

The development would require the construction of a 1,200-foot-long street

known as Autumn Ridge Road. Applicants for the project are David G. Kaufman,

and his daughters, Judith D. Kaufman and Marjorie S. Fieldman.

The Iroquois natural gas transmission line, which passes through the

development site, poses some restrictions on construction and land uses. The

natural gas company had granted its permission for the development provided

that its high-pressure pipeline is protected from damage during construction.

The site is planned for four-bedroom houses ranging in size from 2,500 to

3,000 square feet.

In 1994, the Conservation Commission had granted the applicants a wetlands

construction license for the Autumn Ridge project.

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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 13-Dec-1996

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