Date: Fri 26-Jul-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: KAAREN

Quick Words:

ordinance-race-track

Full Text:

Old Ordinance Meant To Put The Brakes On Race Track

B Y K AAREN V ALENTA

Nearly 40 years ago, more than 700 persons ignored the rain and fog on an

April evening to attend a special meeting at Edmond Town Hall to enact an

ordinance prohibiting auto racing in Newtown.

They weren't talking about drag racing on Main Street, although speeding was a

problem in the days before the town established an organized police force. The

ordinance prohibiting vehicle races, contests and demonstrations had another

intent: It was aimed at blocking construction of the Newtown Park Sports

Course, a speedway planned for 180 acres off Route 34 in the Halfway River

district. Residents were overwhelmingly opposed to a sports park that could

accommodate crowds of 50,000 to 70,000 for two- and three-day events.

This ordinance, and several others which have outlived their usefulness, were

killed by the Legislative Council this month in an effort to do a complete

review and updating of local legislation.

The council repealed a civil defense ordinance, adopted in the middle of World

War II, which dealt with safeguarding the town during an enemy air raid, and a

food ordinance that was replaced by one that was adopted by the Newtown Health

District last year.

An ordinance which taxed mobile homes as personal property was killed because

trailers have been taxed as real estate for years. And one that granted an

exemption for solar energy devices on dwellings was eliminated because such

devices haven't been considered for years when property tax assessments are

made.

The ordinance enacted in the mid 1980s to prohibit truck traffic through

Fairfield Hills also is slated to be repealed because the bypass road is

scheduled to be built through the property.

Next Wednesday the council's ordinance committee will meet at 7:30 pm at the

Booth Library for discussion and possible action on proposed ordinances on

burglar alarm systems, underground oil tanks, scenic roads and vendors and

hawkers. There also will be discussion and possible action on existing

ordinances which may need to be updated.