The First Selectman Responds

To the Editor:

The February 16, 2001 edition of The Bee contained an article and more specifically an editorial that misstated my plans and those of the Board of Selectman regarding the purchase and redevelopment of Fairfield Hills. Let me state unequivocally that neither I nor the Board of Selectmen have ever proposed a single vote to authorize both the construction of the Grade 5/6 School and the purchase/redevelopment of Fairfield Hills.

First of all, the Board of Selectmen is responsible for determining the timing, i.e., the date and time of town meetings and referenda. The Legislative Council has the authority to determine the content, i.e., the wording and specific nature of the questions or resolutions that are considered at town meetings and referenda. A reporter asked me to comment on a discussion that had taken place at the February 7, 2001 Legislative Council meeting. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend that meeting, so my knowledge of the discussion is second-hand and limited. I was asked whether I agreed that the votes for two projects should be at the same time. I responded in the affirmative, meaning voting at the same town meeting, not necessarily the same question or resolution. With two large funding requests such as these, I believe that if possible it is more appropriate to present both at the same town meeting so that taxpayers know the magnitude of all that is pending when they vote each one. It also would or should result in more public participation in the meeting because a variety of interests would be involved. However, the issue may be moot because the Selectmen may not be ready to go forward with a request for funding for Fairfield Hills in time to meet the Board of Education’s timeline for the 5/6 school.

The editorial was also very premature. Neither the Board of Selectmen nor the Board of Education has made a request to the Legislative Council for an appropriation to fund either project at this time. The editorial was very presumptuous and incorrect in assuming that either I or my colleagues on the Board of Selectmen will request funding for the purchase and redevelopment of Fairfield Hills without providing any details. One of the reasons that the Fairfield Hills process has taken as long as it has is so that when and if we request funding we will have sufficient information as to plans for redevelopment, remediation costs, purchase price, terms and conditions so that the Council and ultimately the voters are able to make an informed decision.

Sincerely,

Herbert C. Rosenthal

First Selectman

45 Main Street, Newtown              February 20, 2001