A Little Late On Open Space

To the Editor:

For years residents of Newtown have supported open space conservation and the acquisition of land. In fact, an open space fund was voted on and established in 1985 for the sole purpose of purchasing land. However, the agreed amount of $25,000 per budget year was only deposited for the first year. Needless to say, Newtown could have had a sizable amount ($450,000 plus interest) of funds to continually acquire land over the past years.

Now, in this election year, there is an immediacy to acquire land. I refer to the October 10 article in The Bee about reviewing strategies for funding open space acquisitions. With the availability of funds from federal and state, combined with bonded funds, the towns of Danbury, Redding, Ridgefield, Southbury, Weston, Wilton, and Fairfield have approved bonding for open space between 1999 and 2003. Seems to me Newtown should have had the same vision as these towns.

People of Newtown, this is not a new idea. These funds have been available to Newtown as well as other towns. Until candidate for First Selectman Bill Sheluck spoke out in favor of acquiring more open space and using state and federal money, our present administration was a reluctant bystander. However, I am pleased the idea of bonding for the purchase of open space will be discussed with the Board of Finance and the Legislative Council and perhaps we will proceed with land acquisitions. But, this should have been done years ago. Not at the 11th hour when elections are just around the corner.

Linda E. Dunn

26 Old Bethel Road, Newtown                                October 14, 2003