Yearly Archives: 2006

http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-talkback1113.artnov13,0,2476708.story November 13 2006 Government Can't Protect Water Supply I would like to lay to rest the fantasy that no matter what we do to our land, "the government" will protect our water. Such an erroneous viewpoint was expressed once again in a letter to The Courant ("Mailing on Project Was Misleading," Oct. 26). According to the Ground Water Report to Congress by the Ground Water Protection Council (available online), incidents of ground water contamination have occurred in every municipality in Connecticut due to sources such as industrial activities, underground storage tanks, landfills, salt storage facilities and road salt…

http://www.courant.com/news/local/fv/hc-simref1108.artnov08,0,1276391.story Voters OK Money For Open Space By MARK SPENCER Courant Staff Writer November 8 2006 SIMSBURY --Open space advocates succeeded Tuesday in their drive to preserve land owned by the Ethel Walker School by committing $7 million in town money for the first phase of a two-part deal.Several changes to the town charter also were approved in another ballot question.In a close vote, residents approved spending up to $7 million - $5 million from bonding and $2 million from town reserves - which will be used to purchase 330 acres of the 420-acre parcel. Although the fate of…

http://www.courant.com/news/local/ec/hc-land1103.artnov03,0,3151538.story More For Open Space November 3 2006On Thursday, the state Department of Environmental Protection awarded $6.9 million in open space grants to 23 cities and towns across Connecticut. The state has protected 480,553 acres since the program started in 1998. The state has a goal of protecting 673,210 acres or 21 percent of the state's land by 2023.Here's a sampling of what some of the latest grants will protect:East Windsor secured a $390,000 grant to preserve the 40.7-acre Trombley/Tschummi property off Rye Street in the southern part of town. The property extends west past existing town-owned open space,…

http://www.courant.com/news/local/fv/hc-simethel1103.artnov03,0,4138182.story Town To Vote On Land Purchase $7 Million Would Be Appropriated For About 330 Acres Owned By Ethel Walker School By DIANE STRUZZI Courant Staff Writer November 3 2006 SIMSBURY --Voters Tuesday will decide whether the town spends $7 million to acquire and preserve land owned by the Ethel Walker School. The proposal was approved for a referendum question by the boards of selectmen and finance and is supported by the grass-roots organization Keep the Woods. But after months of public discussion about the acquisition, some residents question why the town is paying so much for the land…

Simsbury Post Commentary October 20, 2006 Reader urges public to think with their heads, vote with their hearst regarding EWS property I applaud anyone who is seeking the facts with regard to the proposed purchase of the 424-acre Ethel Walker Property. $11.1 million dollars for a piece of real estate in the western part of Town is an investment neither the town nor her citizens should take lightly. However, a recent letter to the editor made some misleading points while advocating for NOT preserving this beautiful piece of land. I would like to try and shed some additional light…

http://www.courant.com/news/local/fv/hc-simethel1018.artoct18,0,4596932.story Voters OK Money For Open Space By DIANE STRUZZI Courant Staff Writer October 18 2006 SIMSBURY --Voters Tuesday night overwhelmingly approved setting aside $1 million from town reserves to put toward the preservation of 427 acres at the Ethel Walker School.More than 300 attended the meeting at Simsbury High School to hear town officials discuss the proposal to acquire the property from the school. Residents also voiced their opinions on buying the land, which is west of Bushy Hill Road. Some opposed it, saying it would increase the tax burden. They asked town officials to do more research."How…

http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/letters/hc-lets1016.artoct16,0,226811.story October 16 2006Don't Develop Ethel Walker Land If we continue to develop beautiful, environmentally sensitive land, what will we leave for our children? I'm concerned about future generations having no place to go, to enjoy nature, to get away. Simsbury does not have a dilemma, it has an opportunity it should seize. The Ethel Walker School land needs to be preserved. I grew up in Hartford. Even when I was a child, going to Simsbury was a special treat. We would visit and drive around whenever my uncle (the only family member who had a car) would take…

http://www.courant.com/news/local/fv/hc-simland1005.artoct05,0,2159409.story $500,000 For Land Trust Donation To Help Buy 400 Acres By DIANE STRUZZI Courant Staff Writer October 5 2006 SIMSBURY --A national nonprofit conservation organization working to preserve more than 400 acres owned by the Ethel Walker School said a town couple has donated $500,000 toward the effort.The Trust for Public Land announced Wednesday that it was told about the pledge a couple weeks ago. The couple wishes to remain anonymous, said Melissa Spear, project manager at the trust."We're very excited," Spear said. "We are well on our way, but we have a long way to go." The…

October 9, 2006 Not All Laws Reflect Data The excellent article on the Simsbury aquifer by Susan Brachwitz and Mark Silverman [Place, Oct. 1, "Simsbury Dilemma: The Water Beneath"] makes a subtle point that begs elaboration. If scientific data showed that something is really harmful to our environment, wouldn't there be a law against it? No, our laws wouldn't necessarily take care of any pollution threat to the source water for 73 percent of Simsbury if the Ethel Walker land were developed. As Brachwitz and Silverman point out, it depends on who owns the land, and the legal aspects…

http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/commentary/hc-plcsimsbury1001.artoct01,0,7094356.story Simsbury Dilemma: The Water Beneath By SUSAN B. BRACHWITZ and MARK P. SILVERMAN October 1 2006Simsbury residents are struggling with a difficult issue - whether to allow a housing development over the main town aquifer or to preserve the land, the Ethel Walker Woods, in its natural state. The second choice may seem expensive, for the town's share of the purchase may be as much as $11.1 million - although this amount would probably be lowered by outside grants.Nevertheless, the true cost of allowing the land to be developed will be far greater in the long run because…

http://www.courant.com/news/local/fv/hc-5brf0919_1.artsep19,0,1035995.story Donations To Help Preserve Land September 19 2006 SIMSBURY - -- The Farmington River Watershed Association is collecting donations from businesses to use toward the acquisition of property owned by the Ethel Walker School. The fundraising effort is continuing until the end of the year under the Connecticut Neighborhood Assistance Act tax credit program, but the paperwork must be filed with the state by Oct. 2. The total price of the acreage is $13.85 million with the town payment proposal structured over time. The issue goes before Simsbury voters in November. A Connecticut business that makes a cash…

http://www.courant.com/news/local/fv/hc-simland0907.artsep07,0,2875718.story Meeting Set On Land Purchase Town Considers Buying 420 Acres By DIANE STRUZZI And MARK SPENCER Courant Staff Writers September 7 2006A special town meeting to consider the town's acquisition of 420 acres owned by the Ethel Walker School has been set for 7 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Simsbury High School auditorium.The board of selectmen voted unanimously Tuesday to set the time and date and approved the question about the land acquisition that will go to voters in November.Town officials have approved a financing proposal for the land acquisition, which would be spread over several years.The proposal…

http://www.courant.com/news/local/fv/hc-simland0902.artsep02,0,7271221.story Public Meeting In Works On Land Plan Funding Sought For Preservation Of 420 Acres Owned By School By DIANE STRUZZI Courant Staff Writer September 2 2006 SIMSBURY --On Tuesday, the board of selectmen is expected to schedule a public meeting to discuss the acquisition of 420 acres owned by the Ethel Walker School and approve the ballot question for the November election.Tuesday's meeting will be held at 6 p.m. in the youth room, on the lower-level of Eno Memorial Hall on Hopmeadow Street. The board of selectmen is considering 7 p.m. Oct. 17, at Simsbury High School, as…

http://www.courant.com/news/local/fv/hc-simland0901.artsep01,0,6550323.story Board Backs Ethel Walker Land Deal By DIANE STRUZZI Courant Staff Writer September 1 2006 SIMSBURY --In a turnaround from two weeks ago, the board of finance Thursday night approved a financing proposal to acquire 420 acres owned by the Ethel Walker School, a move that will allow voters to decide the issue in November.The proposal calls for the acquisition and financing to be spread over several years and was approved by the board of selectmen earlier this week. The finance board made one small change, choosing to finance the first part of the deal through a mix…

http://www.courant.com/news/local/fv/hc-simboard0829.artaug29,0,6174389.story Board Moves To Save Preservation Plan Phased-In Spending May Beat Objections To Ethel Walker Deal By DIANE STRUZZI Courant Staff Writer August 29 2006 SIMSBURY --In a last-minute effort to revive a land deal to preserve 420 acres at the Ethel Walker School, the board of selectmen unanimously recommended spreading the funding for the acquisition over several years.The approval Monday night was met with applause from audience members who earlier this month saw the board of finance defeat a proposal for a one-time appropriation of $11.1 million toward the acquisition."I think this agreement reflects a common-sense approach to…

http://www.courant.com/news/local/fv/hc-simwalker0826.artaug26,0,7750739.story Land Issue To Be Discussed Board To Consider November Vote By DANIEL P. JONES Courant Staff Writer August 26 2006 SIMSBURY --The board of selectmen will meet in a special session Monday to discuss the town's stance on the Ethel Walker School property.Board members met Friday afternoon in a closed-door session but took no action.Those who support preserving more than 400 acres of the school property as open space are hopeful that the issue can be put before voters on the November ballot."I'm looking forward to a resolution of this," said Diane Nash, a founding member of Keep…

http://www.courant.com/news/local/fv/hc-simland0817.artaug17,0,7467829.story Land Deal Might Get On Ballot By DIANE STRUZZI Courant Staff Writer August 17 2006 SIMSBURY -- Voters might still get a chance to say whether they support the town's preserving more than 400 acres owned by the Ethel Walker School.A day after the board of finance rejected a proposal to appropriate $11.1 million toward the effort, some town officials say they are confident that the issue, in some form, will be on the November ballot."I have faith that the town boards and commissions can work out arrangements so it's on the ballot," First Selectman Thomas Vincent said…

http://www.courant.com/news/local/fv/hc-simland0816.artaug16,0,6746931.story Board Denies Funding For Land Action Will Keep Question Of Appropriating $11.1 Million To Preserve Property Off Ballot By DIANE STRUZZI Courant Staff Writer August 16 2006 SIMSBURY --The board of finance on Tuesday night rejected a proposal to appropriate $11.1 million to preserve 420-plus acres owned by the Ethel Walker School, ending the chance of putting the question to voters on the November ballot.The five board members also defeated a proposal to set the appropriation figure at $5 million.No one would make a motion to consider $8.5 million, even though finance board Chairman Paul Henault urged them…

http://www.courant.com/news/local/fv/hc-simland0815.artaug15,0,6026033.story Land Preservation's Price Weighed Officials To Discuss Issue Tonight By DIANE STRUZZI Courant Staff Writer August 15 2006 SIMSBURY --An emotional debate about town preservation of 420 acres owned by Ethel Walker School centers on price.That issue is likely to be the main topic tonight when board of finance members discuss the proposed land acquisition. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Eno Memorial Hall on Hopmeadow Street.Last week, the board of selectmen recommended the town appropriate $11.1 million toward purchase of the land primarily along Bushy Hill Road that includes forest, trails and wetlands. The figure…

http://www.courant.com/news/local/fv/hc-simland0810.artaug10,0,2421543.story Board Agrees On Land Deal Town Selectmen Support $11.1 Million Conservation Proposal By DIANE STRUZZI Courant Staff Writer August 10 2006 SIMSBURY --After listening to more than an hour of public comment Wednesday night - much of it in support of conserving more than 420 acres owned by the Ethel Walker School - the board of selectmen recommended the town appropriate $11.1 million to preserve the property.Initially, the board considered passing a resolution that included an appropriation for only $8.5 million. But Selectman John Romano asked to increase the recommended appropriation to $11.1 million. Romano's request was met…

http://www.courant.com/news/local/fv/hc-simland0809.artaug09,0,57662.story Board Takes Up Land Purchase Issue By DIANE STRUZZI Courant Staff Writer August 9 2006 SIMSBURY --In a pivotal but preliminary step, the board of selectmen will decide tonight whether to move forward on preserving 424 acres of land owned by the Ethel Walker School, acreage that was once slated to include a subdivision of luxury homes.The main issue - how much the town is willing to spend to buy the land. In June, the school and the Trust for Public Land, a national nonprofit conservation organization, reached an agreement, offering to sell development rights to the town…

http://www.courant.com/news/local/fv/hc-5brf0808_2.artaug08,0,3465413.story Board To Review Land Acquisition August 8 2006 SIMSBURY - --The board of selectmen will review a proposal to acquire a tract owned by Ethel Walker School, at a special meeting to be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Eno Memorial Hall Auditorium on Hopmeadow Street. The selectmen will discuss and possibly approve a resolution concerning the land, according to a town meeting agenda. The private school once considered building luxury homes on part of the 424 acres and is offering to sell development rights to the town for $13.85 million. The land, on Bushy Hill Road,…

http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/letters/hc-lets0715.artjul15,0,5666308.story?page=2 July 15 2006Town's Character At Stake Once every generation or so, we are called upon to make a significant decision regarding Simsbury's natural and financial resources. Thirty years ago, Simsbury acquired the land that we now know as Simsbury Farms, and we are all thankful that our predecessors had the vision to preserve that land for the good of the town. Today, we face such a decision - whether to preserve the Ethel Walker property and the pristine Stratton Brook aquifer. This issue is entirely different than any other, financial or philosophical, currently facing Simsbury. Now it is…

http://www.courant.com/news/local/fv/hc-simland0623.artjun23,0,188740.story School Offers Open Space Deal By JENNIFER GROGAN Courant Staff Writer June 23 2006 SIMSBURY --A private school that once considered building luxury homes on part of its 424 acres of woods is offering to sell development rights to the town for $13.85 million.The town has until November to decide on the offer, made by the Ethel Walker School for a parcel it owns on Bushy Hill Road. Town officials have long had an interest in preserving the property as open space."This is the best option," Susanna Jones, head of the school, said Thursday. "We're very excited that…

http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/commentary/hc-plcstormwater0514.artmay14,0,2211368.story With Spring Comes Sprawl's Toxic Runoff By ERIC HAMMERLING May 14 2006The pejorative term "sprawl" conjures up an image of cookie-cutter subdivisions marching inexorably over gentle hills that were once farms or forests. Many of us bemoan the changes that sprawl has wrought on our neighborhoods and towns - more paved areas, more traffic, more look-alike strip malls.We rarely speak of what may be the most harmful aspect of sprawl, and that is how it affects our water supply.What is happening isn't hard to explain. Sprawling development is accompanied by an explosion of paved areas, which scientists call…

http://www.courant.com/news/local/fv/hc-simland0127.artjan27,0,1897260.story Value Judgments On Land Use Forum Participants Talk About Town's Need To Balance Preservation, Development By MARK SPENCER Courant Staff Writer January 27 2006 SIMSBURY --The balancing act between development and preservation has been a major issue in town during the past year and lends itself easily to heated exchanges.But Thursday night at Eno Hall, more than 120 residents listened in a more relaxed atmosphere as a panel of experts discussed the issue in a forum called "Forging a Vision for Simsbury."The forum was sponsored by a residents' group called Keep the Woods, a group formed last year…