Eighth Graders Learning Persuasive Skills

By Laurie Borst

Corinne Cox’s eighth grade reading class at Newtown Middle School was paid a visit by First Selectman Herb Rosenthal on the morning of February 8. Mr Rosenthal had received letters from the students outlining their thoughts on possible uses for the Fairfield Hills property.

The letter writing arose as a way to prepare the students for the upcoming CMTs, which test persuasive writing skills at this grade level. Mrs Cox felt a real-life situation for them to address would reinforce the need for persuasive skills.

Mr Rosenthal gave the students a short history of the Fairfield Hills Hospital. The whole area had been farmland until the 1920s when the state purchased 800 acres and built the facility for mentally ill patients. Over time, improvements in medications allowed many patients to return to lives in the communities and the state closed many of its hospital facilities.

The state turned over 350 acres to the Department of Agriculture. Seventy-five acres are now the site of Nunnawauk Meadows, housing for the elderly. Garner Prison sits on 114 acres. Reed Intermediate School sits on 20 acres.

In 2004, 189 acres and a number of large buildings were purchased by Newtown. One hundred of those acres are open field. There is more than 1.2 million square feet of space in the buildings.

The old buildings were not properly “mothballed” by the state, however, which has led to deterioration in many of the buildings. When older buildings are closed up and no longer used, certain preparations can prevent water damage from occurring. This did not happen at Fairfield Hills.

Mr Rosenthal reported that five buildings are still usable on the property. Newtown, Woodbury, Bridgeport, Stratford, and Plymouth Halls have potential for remodeling. Stratford Hall housed the hospital’s library and Plymouth Hall was the recreation center.

“These old buildings were built well, but have small rooms with heavy masonry walls,” explained Mr Rosenthal. “It’s hard to renovate such structures.”

One student asked about office space that had been in Canaan House. Mr Rosenthal acknowledged town and school offices had been housed there, as well as a small, alternative high school. That building’s boiler failed and mold problems had arisen, so that facility had to be closed.

The students had the opportunity to discuss their ideas with the selectman.

Sean Lapak and Dan Tomascak would both like to see a paintball park opened on the property.

“Now we have to travel far to participate,” said Sean. “We have to go to Danbury to get supplies. People would come to Newtown to play.”

Ryan Truchses would like to see a small amusement park on the land. Zach Baudisch sees a White Castle Restaurant located there. Connor Howell thinks a big company or business on the property would bring taxes down and provide jobs.

Jamie Crespo would like to see an Abercrombie outlet, and other retail that brings in tax revenue. Joe Pieretti offered the idea of a motocross park so “kids can have a legal place to ride.”

“A rec center with a pool and teen center would get kids off the streets after school,” said Kyle McCarthy.

Mr Rosenthal told the students that they all had some good ideas for the property, many of which have been suggested by lots of other people in town.