Date: Fri 12-Jul-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

archaeology-Tamarack-Woods

Full Text:

State Archaeologist Recommends Survey Of Tamarack Woods Site

The state archaeologist recommends that an archaeological survey be conducted

to learn if any significant artifacts exist on the site proposed for the

Tamarack Woods residential subdivision.

In a letter to Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman (P&Z) Stephen Adams,

Nicholas Bellantoni, Connecticut state archaeologist, writes that although

state documents don't indicate there are any known archaeological resources

within the development site, five prehistoric Native American settlements have

been located in close proximity to the site, ranging from a 4,000-year-old

Indian village to a base camp dating back 1,500 years.

M&E Land Group has proposed building 10 new houses on the 33 acres of land

that lie with the triangle of land formed by Tamarack Road, Sanford Road and

Echo Valley Road. A group of area residents concerned that the development

would negatively affect the area asked the state archaeologist to review the

area's archaeological significance.

"The project area contains topographic and environmental features which

suggest a high sensitivity toward archaeological resources which have yet to

be discovered," Mr Bellantoni writes.

"The Office of State Archaeology strongly recommends an archaeological

reconnaissance survey for the portions of the project area most sensitive to

the discovery of significant cultural resources," he adds.

A P&Z public hearing on the Tamarack Woods project is scheduled to resume on

July 18 at 8 pm at Newtown Middle School auditorium. the archaeologist's

recommendation is expected to be discussed at that time.