While not directly related to Fairfield Hills, a newly announced Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grant is expected to provide an additional $125,000 for the adjacent technology park development. The grant represents funds that would ha

By JOHN VOKET

Published: Sep 29, 2006 12:00 am

While not directly related to Fairfield Hills, a newly announced Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grant is expected to provide an additional $125,000 for the adjacent technology park development. The grant represents funds that would have otherwise been raised through local taxes or other means, according to First Selectman Herb Rosenthal.

A Wednesday morning announcement from Governor M. Jodi Rell and State Representatives Julia B. Wasserman and DebraLee Hovey indicated the State Bond Commission is expected to approve the $125,000 allocation to help Newtown develop the 72-acre technology park, half of which is designated as open space.

This is the second of two STEAP grants specifically for the tech park, Mr Rosenthal said.

âAn initial $275,000 was approved in April,â Mr Rosenthal said. âThen in June, we applied for and expected to get an additional $225,000. But we are certainly happy to receive the $125,000.â

The governor touted the award as part of an important partnership between the state and Newtown to boost economic development initiatives.

Â âThe technology park will be developed on town-owned land for the purpose of bringing new economic [opportunities] to Newtown,â said Gov Rell. âMaking funding available for projects like this is an excellent example of the strong partnership between our state and local governments.â

This STEAP award was the latest in a long line of state grants and property that Rep Wasserman has helped secure for Newtown.

âThis project is very important to Newtownâs future. It will broaden the townâs grand list and provide tax relief to both residential and commercial property taxpayers,â said Rep Wasserman, who was responsible for getting the tech park land transferred to the town. âGovernor Rellâs support of this new technology park is another example of her goal to keep our economy healthy and growing.â

Rep Hovey said the funding could not have come at a better time.

âThe technology park grant will help create jobs and provide new revenues for Newtown,â she said. âIt underscores Governor Rellâs commitment to helping small towns secure their economic futures.âÂ Â

A total of $20 million has been authorized for more than 100 small towns under the STEAP program this fiscal year.Â The Bond Commission is scheduled to meet Friday, October 6, at 10:30 am in the Legislative Office Building in Hartford to consider the latest round of grants for approval.

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It’s important to clarify the tone and context of Derek Pisani’s remarks, particularly the satirical line about suing Newtown for "Gross Stupidity." This was clearly a tongue-in-cheek jab at the exhausting culture of legal threats that’s become a staple on the local Facebook Group forums. It was a reflection of frustration over endless regulatory hurdles and obstructionism, and the desire to avoid common sense solutions not an insult aimed at residents. Satire, is meant to provoke thought and highlight the absurdities. If we are unable to distinguish between satire and literal threats, perhaps the comment hit closer to the truth than we’d like to admit. Rather than focusing on Pisanis style, we should be discussing the substance of what he’s pointing out: that Newtown’s progress is being routinely blocked by a small but vocal contingent who seem intent on saying “no” at every turn. They are saying no to any development, no to common sense solutions to crowd control, etc. Newtown deserves leaders who are willing to call things as they see them, even if their language ruffles feathers. That doesn’t mean they lack respect for constituents—it means they care enough to challenge the Mob and push for solutions. Isn't that what we elect people to do? I applaud Pisani's dedication, he certainly has earned my vote. Regardless, let’s not reduce conversation to tone-policing and outrage. Let’s focus on the issues that matter.

Who is Calling Newtowners Stupid?

Thank you for pointing out the trail access provisions included in the BOS motion—it’s an important clarification that deserves more attention in this conversation. If the development is, in fact, required to provide permanent free public access and commit to ongoing maintenance of this section of the Rochambeau Trail, that is a remarkably beneficial outcome for the town. oIt’s not every day that a private project shoulders the long-term burden of preserving and caring for a public historical corridor at no taxpayer cost—especially one that previously had no formal access, upkeep, or visibility. Let’s be honest: the idea that the only way to protect history is by preventing any development nearby is a rigid and unworkable standard. What’s being proposed here appears to strike a rare balance—historic preservation, public access, and smart development all rolled into one. That’s not a loss its a win. So rather than allowing a handful of voices to derail progress under the banner of “historic purity,” maybe it’s time to acknowledge the reality: this trail is better off with structured stewardship and visibility than remaining an overgrown ghost on old maps. Let’s move forward. Bring in the easement, bring in the public access—and yes, bring in the bulldozers!!! Progress and preservation can coexist. Let’s not let the NIMBY use fear or nostalgia keep us stuck in the past.

Discusses Rochambeau Trail And 6 Commerce Road

I've heard that several people are under the impression that the public might be banned from the Rochambeau Trail. Points 2 and 3 from the BOS motion (included in full below) make it clear that public access to the trail is part of the requirements for the developer. From what I understand, it requires free public access to the trail in perpetuity. Technically, this could be argued to be a "payment-in-kind," that attempts to balance public good with overall town growth. We can argue about weather that balance is acceptable and how the trail may be affected, but with the understanding that the trail is expected to be maintained as a publicly accessible trail regardless. July 15, 2024 Board of Selectmen approved motion: Discontinuance of Reservoir Road: Selectman Cruson moved the resolution: Resolved, that the Newtown Board of Selectmen, in accordance with Section 2-115(d)(8) of the Town Charter and Conn. Gen. Stat. §13a-49, and subject to the conditions set forth below, hereby discontinues an unimproved portion of Reservoir Road described as “Portion of Reservoir Road to be Discontinued “on that certain survey map which will be recorded on the Newtown Land Records titled “Map Showing Portion of Reservoir Road to be Discontinued” dated August, 2023 and revised September 15, 2023, and certified substantially correct by Gregory Szyszowski of SLR (the “Survey Map”), said discontinuance contingent and effective only upon the completion of the following: 1. The approval of an application for the development of land in the manner described in a letter from Attorney Thomas W. Beecher to First Selectman A. Jeffrey Capeci and Members of the Board of Selectmen dated May 30, 2024, pursuant to the “Residential Open Space Development” regulations of the Borough of Newtown by the Borough of Newtown Zoning Commission, and construction of that approval project within the timeframes required for special exception approval; 2. The inclusion of the discontinued portion of the road as part of the final Declaration of Conservation Restriction; 3. The conveyance of a mutually agreeable public easement to the Town of Newtown for pedestrian, bicycling, equestrian, and all other passive recreational uses (to exclude the use of motorized vehicles except as may be necessary by the Town or its designee to effectuate the purpose of the easement), and for municipal utility purposes; Be it further resolved, that Castle Hill Real Estate Holdings, LLC., its successors and assigns, shall not use any portion of the discontinued road as a vehicular road or access way to and from any developed portions of the property. Be it further finally resolved, that should any of the foregoing contingencies not occur, then the discontinuance contemplated herein shall not become effective and this resolution will become null and void. From: https://www.newtown-ct.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif12216/f/minutes/bos_7-15-24_min-_att_final.pdf

Is this paper road (roads that only exist on paper map but not in reality) even owned by the Town? Many roads that predate the Town's road standards are privately owned and were never accepted by the Town, such as many of the nonconforming roads around the lake communities where the property owners own right to the center line. That is something we had to deal with when working on the Roads Ordinance a few years back. We also had to deal with a private road to run the utilities to the new SHS.

For anyone who wants to know, I cant post a link here, but Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority has an entire website. Look up "HRRA whats in whats out"

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While not directly related to Fairfield Hills, a newly announced Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grant is expected to provide an additional $125,000 for the adjacent technology park development. The grant represents funds that would ha

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