First of all, if those 117 luxury homes get built, everyone's taxes will increase even more. According to the American Farmland Trust Cost of Community Services studies, on average, for every $1.00 of new tax revenue generated after converting wild spaces into housing, the cost of community services increase by $1.16. If you want to play the blame game for this year's Borough's tax increase, you oughtta be looking at the Borough Zoning Commission Chairman. He's the one who violated the Freedom of Information Act, and spent $21k fighting and losing that violation. And he's the one who ignored not one, but two protest petitions, signed by hundreds of abutters, which could have ended this before it cost Borough taxpayers a dime defending his actions.
Sticks and Stones Farm is a true Newtown treasure and one of the many places that makes our town so distinctive. I accepted an invitation to tour the farm last spring, and—having been completely unaware of the scope of work Mr. Currier has accomplished over many years—I was utterly impressed. The vision behind the property is remarkable: creative, thoughtful, and grounded in an extraordinary level of execution.
The stone house is beautiful, as are the cabins scattered throughout the property, each one rustic, distinctive, and clearly built with care. As an engineer, I was particularly struck by the gravity-fed water distribution system Mr. Currier designed and built to serve every cabin, along with the many other innovative, rustic amenities incorporated throughout the site.
I strongly encourage any Newtowner who has never heard of Sticks and Stones—or who, like me, has driven by countless times without realizing what lies beyond the road—to accept Mr. Currier’s invitation and take a hike on the property. The beauty, ingenuity, and the fact that this is a working stone and moss farm are truly eye-opening.
I am glad to hear that Mr. Currier continues to work collaboratively with Land Use to bring the property into compliance with zoning regulations. While I am generally not in favor of spot zoning, this is a sufficiently large and unique parcel where preserving its current use makes sense, rather than forcing it into a residential framework that does not fit.
I wish Mr. Currier well in his retirement and hope the right organization or organizations emerge to carry forward his vision for Sticks and Stones Farm. The loss of this property to residential development would be an irreplaceable loss for Newtown.
Exactly my thoughts, they did some small cuts hopping to appease the residents. There is more to look at, I am glad to hear it from someone who has seen it from the inside.
Exactly my thoughts, they did some small cuts hopping to appease the residents. There is more to look at, I am glad to hear it from someone who has seen it from the inside. VOTE NO
