How Hard Is It

To Understand No?

To the Editor:

How many times must we all say no to the disastrous firehouse project on Sugar Street? Apparently, at least three times. The first no occurred when the Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously rejected Newtown Hook and Ladder’s request for a variance, stating that this project would adversely affect traffic and property values, and was not in keeping with the neighborhood. The second no should, by all objective measures, occur when the Inland Wetlands Commission denies NH&L’s request to disturb an acre’s worth of woods and wetland and destroy thousands of square feet of wetlands. And now we discover that NH&L has petitioned the Borough Zoning Commission to allow the construction of the firehouse, even though the IWC ruling isn’t expected prior to the BZC hearing.

That hearing will take place on October 19 and the arguments set forth by NH&L will not have changed much. The building is still huge and not in keeping with the neighborhood. The disruption to an already congested road will be considerable during any construction period, with trucks coming in and out of the site, blocking traffic and making an already difficult commute worse. And now there’s an additional detrimental effect from the project: the disturbance and destruction of woods and wetlands.

All things considered, it’s quite astonishing that this project has gone this far, and that we find ourselves forced to say no three times. For while hours of collective time and significant resources have already been wasted on this ridiculous project, the NH&L could be breaking ground or even enjoying a new building, either in their current location, or at Fairfield Hills. What is particularly striking is that, so far, not one abutter has stepped forward to support this project, quite the contrary. And so despite firm and committed opposition, NH&L, supported by the owners of 4 and 12 Sugar Street, persist.

Which brings me, of course, to the continued support granted by the Borough of Newtown Land Trust to this project. In his last response, Mr Gaston claims that the BNLT has no option than to cede its 6.5-acre lot — all woods and wetlands — to NH&L. He asserts that if the BNLT does not cede the land, the Town of Newtown will seize it by eminent domain. And if that sounds preposterous to Bee readers, it’s because it is. Last week, at the IWC hearing, I had an opportunity to ask the first selectman whether the town had any intentions of seizing the 4 and 12 Sugar Street properties through eminent domain. She had a good chuckle as she answered firmly and unequivocally that it certainly has no such intention.

So I ask again: why are the officers/directors of the BNLT engaging in an act that is completely contrary to the mission and charter of their corporation? And why is the Borough warden seemingly ignoring the persistent “no” to this project voiced by Borough residents?

Francois de Brantes

13 Sugar Street, Newtown                                   September 28, 2010