January 23 Meeting

Citizens for Easton will hold its first meeting of the new year on Jan. 23 at the Community Room. Our distinguished guest will be town First Selectman, Tom Herrmann, and all are encouraged to attend.

The meeting begins at 7:30.

Meanwhile, the Easton Courier published this overview of Easton earlier this month, with observations by Mr. Herrmann.

Hermann: Changes on the horizon for '08
Maggie Caldwell, Editor January 04, 2008

Though he may be new to his office, First Selectman Tom Herrmann understands that a new year doesn't bring an end to old issues.
Reflecting on the year that has passed and what's going on in 2008, Mr. Herrmann talked about the changes on the horizon for the town of Easton.
Having entered office after a tough election season, Mr. Herrmann sees 2008 as a time for the town to reunite under its common values. Mr. Herrmann, a Republican, Lee Hanson, a fellow Republican who broke with his party and ran on The Real Choice Party ticket, Elaine Hay Spicer, a Democrat, and Paul Michael Skrtich, the Petition candidate, all ran against each other in a race that was tinged with both friendly rivalry and straight-up animosity.
"It was a difficult campaign season," said Mr. Herrmann. "I see 2008 as a time for the town to come together and appreciate what a wonderful town we have."
South Park Avenue
One major issue that has been looming in Easton for several years and may finally come to a head early in 2008 is the proposed housing development on nearly 30 acres of land along South Park Avenue.
Running Brook Farm LLC, a Trumbull-based developer, has filed an application to change the town plan and zoning regulations in order to construct a 72-unit development that includes 30% affordable housing. The Planning & Zoning and Conservation commissions denied the proposal in 2006 saying the public's health and safety would be compromised if a development of this scope were allowed on that property. The land at 18 and 22 South Park Avenue is located along the Mill River, one of only a handful of rivers in Connecticut that is home to wild trout. The town's land use commission said the sewage system for the proposed development could potentially harm the river, which is also part of the region's drinking water supply.
Since that time, the developer has filed an appeal and attorneys for both the applicant and the town have been battling it out in the state superior court in New Britain. The attorneys are expected to make oral arguments to the judge this month and next month.
"Although there have been some attempts to negotiate a settlement, it's running its own course in the courts," said Rob Maquat, Planning & Zoning chairman of the proposal. "Ultimately things are earmarked to be decided by the middle of the year in the courts unless some agreement might be made."
An 8-30g application, named for the state affordable housing appeals act, is typically difficult for towns to fight.
"History has shown in most cases it has been difficult for municipalities to prevail," said Mr. Maquat.
"A developer who has a project with at least 30% affordable housing is not held accountable to a town's zoning regulations," said Mr. Herrmann. "The bottom line is, our longstanding zoning regulations are being challenged. We can expect the town to diligently pursue alternatives that will be in the best interest of the town to prevail."
Morehouse property
Another land use issue in Easton is the development of a master plan for the town-owned Morehouse Road property where the new elementary school is.
Several years ago, the town bought the 127-acre property to build public facilities. Samuel Staples Elementary School, a barn-like structure that has won awards for its design, is the first major development on the site.
"People are a little concerned about what will happen to the remaining large tracts of land in town," said Mr. Maquat. "Easton has farming roots. We are looking to maintain the farming and agricultural heritage."
Roughly 90% of the master plan for the site is in draft form. John Hayes, the town's land use consultant, has been working on the plan and the land use commissions are readying themselves to move forward, said Mr. Maquat.
The plan will likely include a Little League field and water and utilities. Mr. Maquat said, however, that "things are evolving."
Now the town's Police Commission has proposed building a new animal shelter in the most southerly portion of the property. The Planning & Zoning Commission has opened a public hearing on the proposal, which is expected to reopen on Jan. 14.
"The town is trying to close in on an appropriate location for a shelter," said Mr. Herrmann. "All indication is that a location on the Morehouse property would be the most appropriate."
Budget season
A new year means a new budget season, and there will likely be a lot of pressure for the Board of Finance to come up with a budget that features conservative increases.
"It's going to be very difficult to get approval for much more than 5% increases," said Mr. Herrmann, a former Board of Finance member.
He did applaud the work of the board last year, which managed to get public approval of its budget on the first try in years.
A shift in the tax burden last year from upper Easton to lower Easton near the Merritt Parkway has created a dialogue among Easton residents about keeping taxes down. Total Valuation, a Waterbury-based appraisal company, looked at home sales and assessed both the value of the house and the value of the lot. The company determined that the houses in one-acre zoning - which are located mainly in the south part of town - had more value than the houses in three-acre zoning in the northern section of town.
"It appears as if a comparable house in lower Easton increased in value at a higher rate than a comparable lot in upper Easton," said Mr. Herrmann.
Some residents' taxes went up as much as 40%, he added.
The schools will also likely have to keep their budgets tight. This may be difficult for Region 9, however, as the school board there looks to start a project to improve Joel Barlow High School's athletic fields and related facilities to a tune of $7.5 million for phase one of a proposed three-phase, $13.5-million plan.
Other issues
The town faces a number of other issues this year.
The Kronovitter house - The saga of Gladys Kronovitter, a woman who has lived in the same house on Flat Rock Road for more than 60 years until it began to cave in last year, continues.
The town has labeled the house a "hazard to public safety," and is orchestrating its demolition, to take place soon. Ms. Kronovitter, who lives in a donated trailer on the edge of the property, has until November to sell the property and repay the town for the cost of demolition and repay the state for more than $107,000 in back taxes.
Wells Hill Bridge - The replacement of the one-lane Wells Hill Road bridge that was destroyed by a flood in April 2006 has been an issue of contention for some in the town.
The Planning & Zoning Commission supports a plan to build a single-lane, 14-foot-wide bridge. The environmentally sensitive nature of the Aspetuck River, which the bridge crosses, was a major concern for the commission. The area where the bridge is located is also a historic district with antique homes and mature trees bordering the road.
However, the state only offers partial reimbursement for a two-lane bridge. The difference in cost between building a one-lane bridge and building a two-lane bridge with the aid of a state grant is estimated at $80,000 in favor of the two-lane design, according to town officials.
The issue may ultimately end up at a town meeting, where the town could give a vote as to whether it should be a one-lane or two-lane bridge.
Gazebos - Having wanted a gazebo for decades, the residents of Easton may finally get not just one, but two gazebos this year. One gazebo dedicated in honor of two young women who died in a car accident more than 20 years ago may be erected near the Community Center. Another, to serve as a 9/11 memorial, may be built near the library.
Border dispute - Easton has an ongoing border dispute with the town of Monroe that involves two households on the north part of Judd Road. For years, Easton has been charging taxes to the Scott family and the Treece family who lived at the two houses of dispute. However, according to Monroe's tax assessor map, the properties are located in that town.
The Treece family at 580 Judd Road, whose daughter goes to Easton public schools, did some research that indicated the border ran right through their property.
Mr. Herrmann said he is meeting with Monroe's first selectman Tom Buzi to come to some decision over the land. Then the issue will likely go to town meeting and eventually to the state to redraw the border.
Common values
Despite all the issues the town will face this year, Mr. Herrmann said the people of Easton should remember their common values and work together to retain the small-town bucolic character of the place they live.
"We are the guardians of the region's water supply," he said. "Protecting the water supply also protects our rural lifestyle. We value education and want the best for our children. We all work hard to live here and want every tax dollar spent responsibly."