Elia Kazan’s Legacy to Newtown

To the Editor:

There has been a lot of talk about development and preservation of open space in Newtown for, let’s say the last 20 years. Those of us who moved to Newtown in the 1970s can remember when open space was taken for granted. The beauty of the landscape seemed to be a fixed asset that no one would take away. I am sure that for those who have lived here most of their lives, this is even more true.

Elia Kazan’s legacy to Newtown turned out to be about 210 acres, 150 of which were sold to the State of Connecticut under the Recreation and National Heritage Trust program of the Department of Environmental Protection. The 60 acres was subsequently donated to the state by Nicholas Kazan. Prior to the state’s offer on the property, Herb Rosenthal made an offer to the Kazans, anticipating a matching funds grant from the state. The property met the state criteria, especially with a 14-acre pond on site. This offer was under consideration when we heard back from the DEP that the property would be a candidate for the Heritage Trust Program. During the negotiations, it was necessary for the town to agree to maintain and repair the dam under Old Mill Road. That agreement was the last contingency in the state’s offer. Without this maintenance agreement in place, the property would not have been sold to the state. We now have that additional open space, with little cost to Newtown taxpayers. I believe this is a very good indicator of where the town government stands with regard to open space, and their role in this acquisition is much appreciated.

I respect and admire the Kazan family for their tenacity in preserving their property. They wanted to know that our children would be able to go there and enjoy the peace and beauty of a place undisturbed for 50 years.

Pat Linnell

Linnell Real Estate

1 Washington Avenue, Sandy Hook                           October 7, 2003