Date: Fri 13-Dec-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

non-binding-vote-open-space

Full Text:

Town Vote On Open Space Purchases Proves Inconclusive

B Y S TEVE B IGHAM

Seeking some direction, the town's budgetmakers turned to the taxpayers

Tuesday to find out if they supported a plan to create a $1.4 million fund for

the purpose of buying land to control growth.

Though the voters rejected the idea, 272-216, the results proved inconclusive.

With only 3.8 percent of the town's voters turning out, the final result was

anything but a mandate.

"We were hoping for a bigger turnout," said Legislative Council chairman Joe

Mahoney. "It's hard to base anything on this, but I think we have to take what

we have and go from here."

The results of the vote were non-binding, meaning essentially that it was

little more than an opinion poll. First Selectman Bob Cascella, calling the

low turnout unfortunate, said the issue will likely be given a closer look at

and discussed publicly.

"Maybe it shows that this is not the way to run government," he said.

Mr first selectman speculated that the low voter turnout showed that the

ballot question was not a pressing issue among residents.

Mr Mahoney said the turnout may have indicated that people expect their

representatives to do what they think is best and not have to turn to the

community for support.

"I think it was something that had to be tried," Mr Mahoney said. "We did it.

We didn't get the results we wanted. We'll have to see what happens in the

future."

The referendum cost the town an estimated $4,000, or more than $8 for every

vote cast.

Legislative Council member Jack Rosenthal suggested the non-binding vote in

October when he proposed that the town consider establishing a fund of one

mill of tax revenues for the purpose of purchasing land as a method of

controlling the growth of single-family homes. The plan was passed, 8-4, and

then passes on to the Board of Selectmen, which reluctantly scheduled the

vote.

Residents have voiced concern over the dozens of residential subdivisions

submitted to the Planning & Zoning Commission in recent months. Builders,

taking advantage of favorable mortgage rates and fearing possible P&Z

regulation changes, have inundated the P&Z Commission with development

applications.

Retirees Vito and Martha Benvenuto of Skidmore Lane went to the polls Tuesday

and admitted they were angry at the town for deciding to hold the non-binding

vote.

"It stinks," said Mr Benvenuto. "It's a waste of money. They'll have to hold a

referendum on it anyway if they decide to do anything."

The Benvenutos said they're concerned about overdevelopment in Newtown just as

much as the next guy. However, the couple feels the town's idea of buying up

land is not the answer.

"Let Planning & Zoning take care of it," Mr Benvenuto said. "The town needs to

take a good hard look at how things are going in town. There's too much money

being spent."

On the other hand, Daniel R. Waite of Taunton Hill Road believes it is the

town's responsibility to help keep the development to a reasonable pace.

"I believe they should purchase the land - stop development," he said prior to

voting. "I'm not opposed to development totally but it should be curtailed."

Selectman Gary Fetzer said it is critical that people not overanalyze the

results.

"A no vote doesn't say people don't care about the environment. It just shows

that they don't want to have to pay even more in taxes," he said.