To the Editor:

In an ongoing effort to provide a safe environment for families visiting Ferris Acres Creamery, we have had several conversations with Newtown officials. We have religiously adhered to every regulation as part of the town’s permitting process. We have requested no parking signs be posted along Route 302 and expanded our parking lot. We provide staff to assist customers in finding a spot in the parking lot during busy times and to advise customers when the parking lot is full.

But we have no control over where people choose to park their cars or how they choose to get from their cars to the Creamery.

So we have requested police enforcement of no parking restriction in place on neighboring roads around the Creamery. We feel strongly that this would be a deterrent to illegal parking in these areas, would enhance our neighbors’ quality of life, and would address public safety issues arising from people walking along Route 302 to get to our ice cream shop, especially after dark.

Recently, we decided to close at 6 pm on Sundays and to investigate whether we could increase the parking area. After consulting with our environmental engineer, we found that not to be possible. Any additional parking would either encroach on the wetlands or on preserved farmland.

So as an effort to mitigate traffic issues, in addition to closing early Sundays for the rest of this year, we are considering changing our operating hours this fall and next year. Also, we will research other means through which to make our product available to the public.

We appreciate the efforts of First Selectman Dan Rosenthal, Director of Planning George Benson, Chief of Police James Viadero, and the Newtown police force as we work through this next phase of our business.

We also appreciate our customers’ loyalty, which has made our Creamery so successful.

Sincerely,

The Ferris Family

4 Robin Hill, Newtown August 14, 2019