Date: Fri 14-Nov-1997

By ANDY GOROSKO

Published: Aug 11, 1999 12:00 am

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

P&Z-Walnut-Tree-condos

Full Text:

P&Z Reviews Walnut Tree Lawsuit Status

BY ANDREW GOROSKO

Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members are seeking legal advice from the

town attorney concerning a pending lawsuit in which the developers of the

Walnut Tree Village condominium complex sued the P&Z over its decision not to

allow porches to be built there.

At a November 6 session, P&Z members received a letter from Town Attorney

David Grogins from which they inferred that a judge has sustained the court

appeal filed by Walnut Tree Developers after the P&Z turned down the

developers' requested porches in June 1996.

P&Z members agreed to have the town attorney provide them with more explicit

information on the status of the pending lawsuit.

In June 1996, P&Z members turned down two requests to make physical changes at

Walnut Tree Village, the town's first condominium complex.

Attorney Stephen Wippermann, representing the developers, then proposed that

the P&Z drop its regulation which requires there to be ramps leading to

entryways at multi-family housing units for the elderly in EH-10 zones.

P&Z members did not agree with the proposal and voted that the ramp

requirement remain in effect. Some residents at the condominium complex at 26

Walnut Tree Hill Road had asked that ramps not be required there.

Also, Louis DeFilio, president of Walnut Tree Developers, Inc, then asked P&Z

members to allow the firm to build unheated porches atop existing patios at

the condo complex.

P&Z members, however, turned down the request, saying that porch construction

would increase the construction density at Walnut Tree Village.

Last May, P&Z members approved some architectural roofline changes for Walnut

Tree Village to solve some aesthetic concerns and practical problems at the

complex.

When the developers want to make changes to the plans that were initially

approved by the P&Z under the terms of a special exception to the zoning

regulations, the developers' requests are subject to a public hearing and P&Z

action.

When completely built, Walnut Tree Village will contain 80 units. A recent

condo sale there exceeded $200,000. The complex contains three different floor

plans of varying sizes and prices.

Mary Hanlon Celebration Of Life

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Snapshot: Cyndi Adams

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Town And School Budgets Fail At Referendum

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.

I am glad to see First Selectman Bruce Walczak engaging the electorate. Mark your calendars, folks — apparently, communication from Town Hall is possible after all. But where was Bruce two days ago, when Connecticut State Police requested assistance from Newtown Police after two individuals fled on foot from an I-84 crash? As a manhunt went through town, police were stationed at our schools, and many residents checked their car doors, deadbolted their houses, and armed themselves (Thank you James from Port Conway). That sounds like exactly the kind of situation where residents would expect timely communication from town leadership. Parents, neighbors, and residents in the affected area should not have to piece together information after the fact while police are actively searching the community. The issue is not whether our police did their job. They did. The issue is whether Town Hall is doing its job when it comes to keeping residents informed during real-time public safety situations. If the First Selectman can write to residents about the importance of showing up for the budget, he should also show up when residents are looking for clear, timely information during an active police incident. This kind of communication was promised during the campaign. Unfortunately, Bruce Walczzzzak is starting to look like just another politician: campaign on change, criticize the last guy, ask taxpayers for more staff, and then tell residents the job still cannot be done.

The First Selectman On The Budget

528 more feet of broadsheet paper ... we have passed the dump ... as for the details, it is worth pointing out that Merrimack's coal plant shifted to two (2) 4 oil generators. I wonder if this is why crude oil production hit record highs in July...

Elections Have Consequences XXV

Where was our CodeRED? For over 4 years Newtown has a CodeRED system. The town tells residents it exists for emergencies and points to things like missing persons, wildfires, and criminal activity as the kinds of incidents it is meant to address. Yet we had no CodeRED for Kateri Doty, no CodeRED for the brush fires, and no CodeRED for yesterday’s manhunt with police and tracking dogs moving through our backyards. That is not one oversight. That is a pattern. Under sleepy Bruce Walczak, the town has an emergency notification system that never seems to get used when actual emergencies happen. Whether or not Bruce physically sends the alert himself is beside the point. If the system is not being used, if residents are left hearing about dangerous situations from Facebook and the neighbors’ kids instead of from their own government, then that failure belongs to him. Newtown residents should not have to guess when there is a public safety issue unfolding around them. If Bruce Walcz"zzz"ak cannot make sure an emergency alert system is used for emergencies, then what exactly is he doing?

State Police Seeking Two Evading Responsibility For Incident

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Date: Fri 14-Nov-1997

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