Date: Fri 17-Oct-1997

By ANDY GOROSKO

Published: Aug 11, 1999 12:00 am

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

P&Z-Hawleyville-economic

Full Text:

P&Z REVIEWS HAWLEYVILLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STUDY

BY ANDRW GOROSKO

Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members are reviewing a planning study

which analyzes Hawleyville's potential for economic development and natural

resource conservation extending to the year 2017.

The $110,000 study, which was prepared for the Housatonic Valley Council of

Elected Officials (HVCEO) by Barakos-Landino, Inc, of Hamden, finds there is

an opportunity for significant economic development without adversely

affecting the basic character of Hawleyville or overburdening its natural or

built environment. HVCEO members endorsed the study in September.

Elizabeth Stocker, the town's community development director, is requesting

that the P&Z endorse the planning study and make it an addendum to the town's

1993 Plan of Development. That plan is an advisory document which recommends

patterns of growth and conservation extending to the year 2003.

Ms Stocker asked that P&Z members have the authors of the study formally

present their findings to the P&Z at an upcoming session.

If the Hawleyville planning study becomes an addendum to the Plan of

Development, the P&Z should then modify its zoning regulations and zoning map

to prepare for the potential changes suggested by the Hawleyville study, Ms

Stocker said.

A public hearing would be required to make such zoning regulation changes.

Reacting to the study, P&Z acting chairman Thomas Paisley said, "It appears to

provide some pretty good ideas for Hawleyville and potential development down

there." Mr Paisley was a member of the steering committee which guided the

planning study.

The Hawleyville planning study describes developmental scenarios for

Hawleyville extending toward the year 2017, creating a conceptual framework

for growth in the largely undeveloped section of town.

With the HVCEO's acceptance of the study, it has become HVCEO policy.

The planning study is based on the types of development which are logically

expected in Hawleyville due to market conditions and the limitations on the

land due to slopes, wetlands, soil types, and floodplains.

The planners have studied a 1,200-acre section of Hawleyville focusing on Exit

9 of I-84. They are suggesting various development possibilities, including

medical office space, assisted-living facilities, age-restricted housing,

single-family houses, mixed retail uses, corporate offices, a hotel,

conference center, open space land, a village center and industrial uses.

The proposed land uses would be created by private developers on

privately-owned land.

In suggesting several development scenarios for Hawleyville, the HVCEO is

seeking to balance the interests of developers, the town, and the region.

The planning study's primary purpose is to create a modern transportation

management plan and land use study for Hawleyville. It was developed to help

realize the Hawleyville area's development potential within the context of

existing and future transportation facilities in that area. A primary goal of

the study is to obtain a balanced match between anticipated land uses and

transportation facilities.

The planning study addresses long-term development issues which face the town,

region, and state. The study seeks to guide growth, preserve natural

resources, maintain property values and encourage economic development.

‘Color Our World With Hope’ Filled Newtown With Music, Meaning, And Community Impact

Nighthawk Baseball Team Beats Conference Opponents

Late Goal By Ruddy Lifts Nighthawk Lacrosse Team To Victory, Showcases Chemistry In Midfield

Reed Intermediate Presents Sold-Out Performances Of 'Willy Wonka Jr'

Draw Dominance, Transition Game Lift Boys' Lacrosse Team To Lopsided Wins

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 :)

<< May 2026 >>
S	M	T	W	T	F	S
26	27	28	29	30	1	2
3	4	5	6	7	8	9
10	11	12	13	14	15	16
17	18	19	20	21	22	23
24	25	26	27	28	29	30
31	1	2	3	4	5	6

Log In

Date: Fri 17-Oct-1997

Leave a Reply Cancel reply