Date: Fri 25-Oct-1996

By ANDY GOROSKO

Published: Aug 11, 1999 12:00 am

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

Eden-Hill-Road-P&Z

Full Text:

Eden Hill Road Residents Concerned About Development Plans

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

Residents living near an 18-acre site proposed for six new houses on Eden Hill

Road have raised concerns about how the land would be developed.

Terry Lawrence Serke and Ruth Ann Lawrence Fortier want to resubdivide an

existing parcel to create the new building lots.

Planning and Zoning Commission members considered the development request at

an October 17 public hearing. P&Z members took no action.

P&Z Chairman John DeFilippe told those attending the hearing that the P&Z now

will allow public discussion on what effects a subdivision may have on roads

and traffic outside of the subdivision. Allowing such discussion reverses a

recently promulgated P&Z rule which banned such discussion at public hearings

on proposed subdivisions.

In a letter to the P&Z, Carol and Stanley Polcyn of 23 Eden Hill Road stated

they don't like the developers siting three of the six driveways for the

development across Eden Hill Road from their property. Such driveway siting

would create a dangerous traffic situation and would damage their property

value, according to the Polcyns. The subdivision should be redesigned so that

the driveways from the proposed houses meet Eden Hill Road at a single point,

they wrote.

Also, the Polcyns state that wetlands on the parcel are more extensive than

depicted on wetlands mapping.

Attorney Robert Pinciaro represents the applicants. He said the developers

propose four lots with frontage on Eden Hill Road and two rear lots. All

proposed building lots meet all P&Z requirements for subdividing land,

according to the attorney. Construction on the property won't take place in

wetland areas, he said.

Engineer Ralph Gallagher, representing the applicants, said that the lots in

the subdivision would range from two acres to 5Â« acres. The developers have

made changes in their drainage plans as was requested by the town engineer, he

said. The development proposal doesn't require that any road improvements be

made to Eden Hill Road.

Mr Polcyn said he's concerned that the developers want to place septic systems

in front of the new houses.

Resident Mary Tomasiewicz of 29 Eden Hill Road said the proposed building lots

are sited on a hazardous stretch of roadway. She suggested that the road be

widened there to enhance traffic safety.

Ms Tomasiewicz asked if existing well water quality or quantity in the area

would be damaged by the presence of new wells.

Mr Gallagher responded that the town health department has approved the

subdivision plans.

Sight lines for traffic in the area won't pose a safety problem, he said.

Mr DeFilippe said P&Z members will inspect the property proposed for the six

lots before making a decision.

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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 25-Oct-1996

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