Date: Fri 15-Mar-1996

By ANDY GOROSKO

Published: Aug 11, 1999 12:00 am

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

Conservation-golf-course

Full Text:

Golf Course Plan Gets Conservation Appoval

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

The Conservation Commission has approved professional golfer Peter Belmont's

proposal to build an 18-hole commercial golf course on Buttonshop Road in

Botsford.

Commission members March 13 approved the plan to build a Par-54 course after

Mr Belmont modified his plans to do less filling work in a pond on the site

than he initially proposed.

In February, the commission had asked that less of the pond be filled in to

protect some aquatic wildlife habitat for small fish such as sunfish and

bluegills.

The modified plans call for building a land bridge across a section of the

pond instead of completely filling in the body of water.

Mr Belmont is proposing the construction of an "executive golf course" and

golf driving range on the 130-acre site which has been surface-mined by the

D'Addario Sand and Stone Company, Inc. Mr Belmont has said he has an option to

buy the land, provided that he gets all required approvals for golf course

construction.

On January 4, the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) approved a set of

zoning amendments which would allow a commercial golf course and driving range

in the industrial zone. P&Z members said converting the surface mine into a

golf course is the best possible use for the scarred property.

Besides his approval from the Conservation Commission, Mr Belmont still needs

approval from the P&Z for a site development plan, as well as approvals from

the state Department of Environmental Protection and the US Army Corps of

Engineers.

Mr Belmont said he has been working with the United States Golf Association in

designing the fairways and greens for the proposed golf course.

All holes on the course would be Par 3 holes. The holes would range in length

from 85 yards to 250 yards. At least seven holes would have water in play.

The driving range would have 110 tees. The range would be set in an area

approximately 60 to 70 feet lower than adjacent land, thus minimizing

neighbors' concerns stemming from nighttime illumination of the golf range,

according to Mr Belmont.

The site eyed for the golf course is at 2-18 Buttonshop Road. It lies in the

area bounded by Buttonshop Road, South Main Street, Botsford Hill Road and

Little Brook Lane.

The golf course and driving range complex would include a 5,000-square-foot

golf pro shop. Mr Belmont said the project which may be completed in two to

three years, would cost more than $5 million.

Next HRRA Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Event Scheduled In Newtown

Genealogy Club's Next Program To Dig Into 'Dissecting A Civil War Pension Record'

Choral Society Planning ‘Voices Of America’ Performance

Newtown Earth Day Festival Was A Success

Local Fourth Grader To Host ‘Gaming For Change’ On May 16

The editorial took no position on the budget going up or down so you're reading things into the editorial that simply aren't there. The turnout is tied to the lack of passage, in that people who came out to vote last time did not this time, indicating a lack of support on their part. Perhaps it wasn't spelled out clearly enough, but that's what the editorial was driving at, people showing lack of support by not casting a vote. The editorial did address likely concerns among voters that may have led to lack of support and lack of turnout. This lower turnout also follows increasing turnout over the past four referendums in three years (meaning it is an aberration from that), and increased turnout is something that I do push for regularly in editorials. Any disappointment you might be seeing is at the break in that trend, not at whether the budget passed or not. I'd rather see more people come out and vote "no" then not vote at all.

Lower Turnout Results In Two Budget Defeats

Clearly, property owners no longer want to bear the burden of expenses while the state does not meet it’s responsibilities. Rising costs must be addressed by actions that do not include yearly increases of property owners’ taxes. The state of CT must meet its share of the educational costs, and other costs.

Town And School Budgets Fail At Referendum

This feels like an oddly misleading headline and narrative, particularly coming from the Editorial Board. The headline "Lower Turnout Results in Two Budget Defeats" pushes a misleading narrative regarding voter turnout, and then seeks to tie the outcome of the referendum to that misleading narrative. Sure, voter turn out for this year's referendum, 18%, was lower than last year's. However, last year's turnout, 25.4%, represented the highest turnout in the most recent 10 budget referendums. If you take the time to examine turnout percentages between 2017 and 2026 (2017: 19.9, 2018: 15.7, 2019: 17, 2020: 0, 2021: 8.98, 2022: 7.7, 2023: 8.8, 2024: 15.1/17.49, 2025: 25.4, 2026: 18), this year's turnout was actually the third highest in the past 10 cycles. Perhaps the headline of this article should say "Lower Voter Turnout Than Last Year", which is more accurate, rather than creating an impression that this year's turnout is some type of aberration - a narrative that the turnout numbers, in all their binary glory, simply do not support. Further, the headline of this article appears to tie the "lower turnout" to the defeated budgets. Sure, that could be true. But, perhaps, its more likely that Newtown residents are feeling the squeeze of multiple economic influences. In Newtown, we've experienced property revaluations and increased municipal spending. Eversource continues to raise rates. The state legislature gives PURA the authority to impose Public Benefit charges that benefit a tiny percentage of the public (and subsequently burdening the rest of us). At the national level, inflation has run rampant for years and many of those costs remain high to this day. In short, the data tells a far less dramatic—and far more honest—story than the headline suggests. This wasn’t an electorate vanishing in apathy; it was a fairly typical turnout delivering an verdict that, perhaps, some at the Editorial Board didn't like. At some point, it’s worth considering that residents aren’t confused, disengaged, or misled by turnout; they’re simply doing math at their kitchen tables and concluding that “no” is the only responsible answer left.

Enjoyed the forum which only confirmed my support for Brandon Moore as the Democratic candidate to run for the state representative position. Brandon Moore did not waiver about his duty to all the people, if elected, when an issue presents itself that requires that he voice a difference of opinion for the wellbeing of Newtown residents. If Michelle Ku’s 16 years have led to her loyalty being to other elected officials, as she implied, then Newtown is going to continue to witness actions that do not protect its residents. She could not unseat republican, Mitch Bolinsky, during a Blue Wave, and once again, will not do it now. Winning that seat is critical for all. That explains why her previous campaign committee now campaigns for Brandon Moore. It explains all the endorsements he has received from local elected democratic officials. It’s why we need Brandon Moore to be the democratic candidate to run for state representative.

Second Newtown DTC, League Of Women Voters Candidates Event Planned

Appreciated the opportunity to hear from both candidates as we were present for the College Dems forum but only heard from Brandon Moore. It was an opportunity to see who can unseat the Republican incumbent and there is no doubt that Brandon Moore should be the Democratic candidate. One concerned parent posed a question about discrimination unaddressed by the school district and interestingly enough, Michelle Ku, who proudly speaks of her Board membership years, said little, while Brandon Moore passionately addressed the issue along with his experience as an Apache Helicopter Commander. This family is supporting Brandon Moore. We need change and someone who is not afraid to disagree, especially about the rising costs of living in Newtown.

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Date: Fri 15-Mar-1996

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