Fairfield Hills Review Committee Seeks Public Comment

By Kendra Bobowick

Focus groups, discussion sessions, and online social networking are among the Fairfield Hills Master Plan Review Committee’s considerations for reaching residents.

“One of the key components to our missions is direct feedback,” said member Paul Lundquist.

Venues can both educate and interact with the public, organize input and “all be followed by a quantitative survey with as many residents as can participate.” He believes in “circling back to the public” regarding how development “should or should not happen” on the former state hospital campus.

As the review committee’s subgroups complete their work in coming months, Mr Lundquist said the group can also use that information in a survey, which extends the group’s time-line. While First Selectman Pat Llodra had initially asked for members to report to the selectmen in December, their current plans reach into April. They will work with the April target, pending the first selectman’s input.

Briefly, members considering moving ahead prior to conclusions from subcommittees.

Mr Lundquist noted that “the world is turning,” and as they do their work, the Fairfield Hills Authority is also doing its work, executing the initial master plan.

Eventually the group argued against an earlier and more aggressive time-line. Members, including Chair Michael Floros, weighed the amount of activity happening on the campus — Kevin’s Community Center is considering building reuse, the Newtown Ambulance Association recently inquired about a possible land lease, and the town’s Capital Improvement Plan includes funding for several years’ worth of demolition and infrastructure work.

“April seems more palatable,” Mr Floros said. Member Deborra Zukowski also stated, “Moving ahead without subcommittees is not a good idea.”

Also moving on their own schedules are plans for a Parks and Recreation Department Community Center, while sole property realtor Michael Struna is at work garnering potential developers for the site.

Mr Lundquist returned the conversation to methods. Focus group discussions could reveal desires for development, both commercial and residential, he said. He asked, “What are the interests? Restaurants, retail? Corporate?”

Recreation, and what forms are preferred, is another question before the group.

Committee members spoke about costs associated with generating paper and online surveys, and running group discussions and sending out flyers to the public.

While the group is coordinating its own outreach and information distribution, it also asks that the public attend its meetings, which are posted with full agendas on the town website at www.newtown-ct.gov. Last meetings’ minutes are also available.

“For the last four months we have been collecting information about history, opportunities and now we’re looking for feedback — please participate,” Mr Floros said.

All ideas will go before the full board and first selectman.