To the Editor:

My name is Peter Schwarz, and I am running to become an Alternate on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Alternates attend Commission meetings and act as Members in the case of a member’s absence or other inability to participate, such as a conflict of interest. Alternates also participate in hearings and assist the Commission in its work. They serve two-year terms, in contrast to Members, who serve for four years.

I’ve been a resident of Newtown since 2011. My wife, Laura Miller, and I live on Diamond Drive. We have three children who have gone through the Newtown schools. I’m a lawyer working for an environmental engineering firm in Cheshire, and I’m currently a Member of the Newtown Borough Board of Zoning Appeals.

Planning and development will be close to the top of our town’s agenda over the next several years. Not only will we have a public discussion of our updated ten-year conservation and development plan, but we will start taking concrete steps in the development of the Fairfield Hills campus.

We will, as always, face important questions balancing the preservation of our open space and the encouragement of commercial development. Undoubtedly there will be high profile public debates such as those in the last couple of years regarding the proposed Hawleyville distribution center and the proposed senior housing development abutting the Hubbard Wildlife Sanctuary.

Newtown needs dedicated people on its Planning and Zoning Commission who will faithfully attend meetings, do their homework, listen to the community, consider our long-term planning goals, and act reasonably and in the community’s best interest. Although Members and Alternates are elected, the Commission is not generally viewed as a partisan entity, but it needs experienced and professional people to ensure that the process is observed and that all sides are given a fair hearing.

In my career, my role is to put the appropriate agreements and statements of work in place, ensure operations are compliant with statutes and regulations, work with state departments and agencies, and work with our crews when performance issues arise. I work with expert and experienced architects, engineers, landscape architects, and planners, on both large and small projects.

Every day I see what helps to make planning and development succeed and what can make it go off the tracks. I see myself as a facilitator, working with all participants in a team atmosphere to get the best effort out of everyone.

I think I have the skills and experience to help our Planning and Zoning Commissioners over the next couple of years. I would appreciate your vote on November 7.

Thank you,

Peter Schwarz

Newtown