Date: Fri 16-Aug-1996

By ANDY GOROSKO

Published: Aug 11, 1999 12:00 am

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

Stocker-growth-P&Z

Full Text:

Development Director's Report Details Local Growth

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

During the past seven years, the town has approved 937 new building lots, with

largest number of lot approvals in a single year coming in 1993-94 fiscal year

when 228 lots were approved, according to a report on residential growth

prepared by Elizabeth Stocker, the town's director of community development.

During the same seven-year period, the town issued 1,102 building permits for

new dwellings, according to the report. The largest number of new dwelling

building permits in a recent single fiscal year (256) were issued during the

1995-96 fiscal year, the report states.

Ms Stocker prepared the report at the request of First Selectman Robert

Cascella.

Between July 1, 1989, and June 30, 1996, a period of seven years, there have

been 136 applications for subdivisions and resubdivisions of land which

resulted in the creation of 937 building lots on 5,027 acres, according to the

report.

The grand list of taxable properties for October 1, 1995, indicates there are

approximately 800 vacant lots in the town in residentially-zoned areas,

according to Ms Stocker. Information on how many of those lots are approved

subdivision lots versus lots which would be subdividable or are forest or farm

land wasn't available in the report.

"There is no doubt that housing construction will cost the town in terms of

road maintenance, health and safety services, education of children, and loss

of open space and the rural character of the community. These issues were

noted in the 1993 plan of development and are being worked on now in terms of

zoning and subdivision regulation amendments and economic development

strategies," Ms Stocker writes.

It appears that people who are employed in surrounding towns and in nearby New

York State are finding Newtown to be an attractive place in terms of housing

costs, educational quality, proximity to employment and the character of the

community, according to the development director.

Without mass transportation, private vehicles are the primary way to commute

but such private commuting damages local air quality, according to the report.

In another recent report on residential development, Ms Stocker states that a

moratorium on new residential subdivisions, which has been suggested by some

residents as a way to slow growth, would not stop development on properties

that are already subdivided or which have building permits. Neither would a

moratorium affect any applications pending before the Planning and Zoning

Commission (P&Z), according to Ms Stocker.

Approved subdivisions and pending applications are protected from moratoriums

by the provisions of state law, according to the community development

director.

The P&Z's plan of development approved in 1993 addresses residential

development densities in various sections of town, she said. The P&Z is

reviewing recommendations that were made in the plan, she adds.

The plan is a conceptual framework of planning goals which land use agency

members use for guidance in deciding on development applications.

Whether a given development proposal is consistent or inconsistent with the

plan of development often is cited by P&Z members in deciding whether to

approve or reject development applications.

Malcolm Andrew 'Andy' Bryant

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The editorial took no position on the budget going up or down so you're reading things into the editorial that simply aren't there. The turnout is tied to the lack of passage, in that people who came out to vote last time did not this time, indicating a lack of support on their part. Perhaps it wasn't spelled out clearly enough, but that's what the editorial was driving at, people showing lack of support by not casting a vote. The editorial did address likely concerns among voters that may have led to lack of support and lack of turnout. This lower turnout also follows increasing turnout over the past four referendums in three years (meaning it is an aberration from that), and increased turnout is something that I do push for regularly in editorials. Any disappointment you might be seeing is at the break in that trend, not at whether the budget passed or not. I'd rather see more people come out and vote "no" then not vote at all.

Lower Turnout Results In Two Budget Defeats

Clearly, property owners no longer want to bear the burden of expenses while the state does not meet it’s responsibilities. Rising costs must be addressed by actions that do not include yearly increases of property owners’ taxes. The state of CT must meet its share of the educational costs, and other costs.

Town And School Budgets Fail At Referendum

This feels like an oddly misleading headline and narrative, particularly coming from the Editorial Board. The headline "Lower Turnout Results in Two Budget Defeats" pushes a misleading narrative regarding voter turnout, and then seeks to tie the outcome of the referendum to that misleading narrative. Sure, voter turn out for this year's referendum, 18%, was lower than last year's. However, last year's turnout, 25.4%, represented the highest turnout in the most recent 10 budget referendums. If you take the time to examine turnout percentages between 2017 and 2026 (2017: 19.9, 2018: 15.7, 2019: 17, 2020: 0, 2021: 8.98, 2022: 7.7, 2023: 8.8, 2024: 15.1/17.49, 2025: 25.4, 2026: 18), this year's turnout was actually the third highest in the past 10 cycles. Perhaps the headline of this article should say "Lower Voter Turnout Than Last Year", which is more accurate, rather than creating an impression that this year's turnout is some type of aberration - a narrative that the turnout numbers, in all their binary glory, simply do not support. Further, the headline of this article appears to tie the "lower turnout" to the defeated budgets. Sure, that could be true. But, perhaps, its more likely that Newtown residents are feeling the squeeze of multiple economic influences. In Newtown, we've experienced property revaluations and increased municipal spending. Eversource continues to raise rates. The state legislature gives PURA the authority to impose Public Benefit charges that benefit a tiny percentage of the public (and subsequently burdening the rest of us). At the national level, inflation has run rampant for years and many of those costs remain high to this day. In short, the data tells a far less dramatic—and far more honest—story than the headline suggests. This wasn’t an electorate vanishing in apathy; it was a fairly typical turnout delivering an verdict that, perhaps, some at the Editorial Board didn't like. At some point, it’s worth considering that residents aren’t confused, disengaged, or misled by turnout; they’re simply doing math at their kitchen tables and concluding that “no” is the only responsible answer left.

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.

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Date: Fri 16-Aug-1996

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