The Town’s Reluctance

On Open Space

To the Editor:

We have heard over the last many years the benefits to the town of acquiring land for open space. The state has a program to reimburse 50 percent of these purchases. The town’s people are totally supportive of open land acquisitions. We have watched several large parcels go to development because our leaders say that there is no money available for such purchases.

To date Newtown has not made one reimbursable purchase. I would like to have both candidates for first selectman specifically indicate how much of each ongoing budget he is willing to set aside for open space purchases, and how he would administer such a program.

Yours truly.

Gary Tannenbaum

Pond Brook Road, Newtown                                       October 15, 2001