What Is Newtown

Bridle Lands Association?

To the Editor:

The NBLA is a non-profit, volunteer organization. It was formed in 1978 to foster an interest in horseback riding and to preserve, protect and maintain our open space with the many trails that travel through our town. These trails are for the entire community’s enjoyment.

Today’s goal of NBLA is to stimulate the interest of the community in the preservation and creation of trails and open space to help maintain the unique rural character of Newtown.

The membership consists of many different people, not only horse owners. Anyone that is interested in preserving Newtown’s open space, rural character and trail system for all to enjoy, joins NBLA. Whether you walk, jog or ride, bike, cross-country ski, or just love to walk the family dog the open trails are important to all of us.

Newtown Bridle Lands Association is not responsible for other residents’ opinion or action when it comes to horse related issues, which last week’s letters suggested. Just because the issue is about horses does not mean it involves NBLA. Not all horse owners in Newtown are members of NBLA and they are responsible for their own opinions and actions. Individual members’ views do not necessarily reflect or represent the NBLA’s views as an organization.

NBLA supports the idea of forming new horse regulations in our town to blend with the changing community. The horse community may seem to be a minority in our town, but we support what we believe is the major opinion of Newtown residents to protect and preserve what little open space we have left.

Since the early 1990s NBLA has worked hand in hand with the land use officials and conservation to determine, mark and clear trails and open space for every residential subdivision in Newtown. With the inevitable residential growth we strive to create and maintain Newtown’s rural character. This helps keep residential density low while increasing property values. This is all done with no cost to the Town of Newtown. All our volunteers use their spare time, energy and labor to make this happen. We have walked hundreds of miles over the town’s open space.

We understand that Meg Maurer’s family and friends feel the need to defend her on the letters page, but NBLA’s comments are factual and are not personal. They are directed to her as a Planning and Zoning member. She is representing the Town of Newtown. We are voicing our opposition to her previous actions. She may claim to be non-biased, but her repeated actions have shown otherwise, all of which are on record from 1999 to 2001 in the Planning and Zoning office. We have commented on her actions that will have a direct and adverse outcome on Newtown’s future, and infringe not only on our rights but the rights of all Newtown residents who wish to preserve open space!

Sincerely,

Cindy Miller

Newtown Bridle Lands Association

Parmalee Hill Road, Newtown                                  August 27, 2001