To The Editor:

On June 19, 2025 the front-page Editorial of the Bee proclaimed “It’s Done: 6 Commerce Can Be Open Space” after the passage of Special Act 25-15, An Act Changing The Authorized Use Of A Parcel Of State Land Previously Conveyed To The Town Of Newtown. That Act removes the 20+ year-old deed restriction that the property be used for economic development purposes and requires it be used for “open space or recreational purposes only”.

The editorial goes on to state, “It is good to see this come to fruition as it seems to have a high amount of support among residents”.

Indeed, there was (and is) a high amount of support for this change. Many residents attended and testified at public meetings of the Economic Development, Inland Wetlands, and Planning and Zoning Commissions as poorly conceived projects were debated. Many wrote letters to the Board of Selectmen, the Legislative Council, The Bee, and our State representatives. Over 30 residents attended and provided testimony at the legislature hearings in support of the bill. Our state legislators listened and approved the bill.

Unfortunately, it took another 6 months for the actual language formalizing the change in the deed to reach the agenda of our new Board of Selectmen for action on December 15. That meeting was reported back on page 7 of the December 19 edition of the Bee (and is not easily findable online) as “Selectmen Stall on 6 Commerce”. During that meeting there seemed to be confusion regarding the source of the restrictions for open space or recreational use. As a reminder, this is not new language. It was included in the original State language conveying an adjacent parcel to Newtown for open space.

Also, in all subsequent bills adjusting property boundaries between this parcel and the adjacent parcel ensuring that Newtown would have 34+ acres of open space in this area. It was also part of the Conservation Commission letter requesting the change, in discussions and motions at BOS and LC meetings, and many public comments.

To those who supported conserving 6 Commerce Road, THIS ISSUE IS NOT CLOSED. Our Board of Selectmen and Legislative Council need to take action to finalize the process that so many Newtown citizens and the State have supported. Please show your support by writing to the Board of Selectmen and Legislative Council and/or attending and testifying at the upcoming BOS meeting at 7:30 on January 5 to finally get this issue resolved.

Joe Hovious

Sandy Hook