Sacrificing A Neighborhood

To the Editor:

I was upset and surprised by Kevin O’Neil’s attitude toward the building of senior condos reflected at the EDC meeting and most recently in a letter to The Bee. At the EDC (Economic Development Commission) meeting he said, “Why are you guys worried about more condos when you already have the highway on one side?” In his letter to The Bee he says senior condos in our town could save all the taxpayers in town 2.7 percent in our tax bills. Even if this were true does that justify destroying an established old neighborhood and one that already has gotten senior condos?

Do you deliberately hurt someone else’s family or another human being to get ahead? If the town allows more senior condos to be built on Walnut Tree Hill Road, you are lowering the price of our house, the safety of our children who have to back out onto this crammed road every day, and the quality of our neighborhood. Does the 2.7 percent supposed tax savings in your pocket justify the assault on us? That is just plain immoral. Furthermore, does it justify changing the character and image of our small town? No.

The EDC chairman Mr Hopper in his letter to The Bee, October 26, states their endorsements of a project do not influence other boards and commissions in town. The Toll Brothers would not have attorneys and experts present at these kind of meetings if it did not matter. When you say it does not matter and that the P&Z makes the bigger decisions it only makes it easier to be cavalier in what decisions the EDC does make. It removes you from feeling any responsibility. But the fact is you will be responsible for any endorsements you have made and their potential impact on other committees in town.

Sincerely,

Barbara Chimileski

22 Walnut Tree Hill Road, Sandy Hook                November 24, 2004