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Thu May 19 11:07:35 2005	administrator	This here comment section is now open for business.
Fri May 20 12:32:15 2005		Securing the devlopment rights is a win-win situation if Ethel Walker can be compensated fairly. How much money do they want? The towwn needs to enter into serious negotiations, now. The school could receive a similar financial package where they receive some monies very soon, and phase the rest over time.
Sat May 21 18:11:22 2005	Sue	It would be very useful to post on this site the email addresses of town officials to whom letters should be sent.
Wed May 25 13:53:08 2005		I've talked to a few alumnae and prospective parents - they are, quite frankly, horrified.
Wed May 25 14:19:01 2005	Insbm	Would suggest webmaster creat an easy method to have this web sight directly sent to someone else -thanks
Sun May 29 10:07:22 2005		The article in the Courant really misrepresented the open space versus development. If the total parcel is 450, and this development is 165, that leaves 285. But EWS uses a significant portion of those 285 acres for their buildings, barn, riding arenas, etc. Hardly open space!! Also, at least 95 acres is undevelopable wetland.
Tue May 31 20:42:40 2005	The Gerbers	THIS IS AN OBSENITY!
Wed Jun 1 09:18:36 2005	alliechase	Are there any Indians in the area who can tell you if there is an Indian Burial Ground in the Ethel Walker Woods? The presence of an Indian Burial Ground would stop the whole development cold.
Wed Jun 1 09:36:58 2005	Mary	Testing
Wed Jun 1 09:41:13 2005	Mary	I have been hiking and running here for many years nearly everyday. rain, sleet, or snow. I agree that Simsbury does not need another 122 McMansions, but we are losing sight of an important issue. This is private property and we have been guests enjoying this tract of forest.
Wed Jun 1 09:42:03 2005	Mary	Con't, Along with Plan A we must have a Plan B and C!
Wed Jun 1 11:53:16 2005	Paul	Mary. No one has lost sight that this is private property. That's why we are tyring to BUY the development rights. What would you suggest for plan's B, C, etc.
Wed Jun 1 12:04:12 2005	Mary	Well, Paul since you asked I do have a few things in mind. But, this system will not let me respond with all my ideas, unfortunately.
Wed Jun 1 12:24:55 2005	Paul	Mary. Can you come to the meeting tonight and share your ideas? It will be held at Flamig Farm in West Simsbury on the corner of West Mountain road and Shingle Mill at 7 PM. If you cannot come, please share your ideas here or email your ideas to keepthewoods@comcast.net or upload documents that contain your ideas through the Post Information link. Thanks.
Wed Jun 1 12:50:21 2005	Mary	I do plan on attending the meeting this evening. I may be a little late, but will try to make it. Looking forward to meeting everyone!!! M.
Fri Jun 3 10:27:17 2005	Phyllis Freeman	I've been hiking and skiing on the Ethel Walker Property for over 5 years and I'm heartbroken at the thought of turning that beautiful land into houses. Don't we have enough development around here. Let's keep the land the way it is for recreation and for wildlife. Shame on you Ethel Walker!!!
Sun Jun 5 21:01:05 2005	Jennie	I don't begrudge Walker's for wanting to get some cash, but there is still so much room for negotiating. They said they are open to it - let's see them at the table with their financial scenraios related to a risky development and compare it to risk-free preservation offers which could yield immediate cash.
Wed Jun 8 09:06:42 2005	Mary	Get turn out last night at the Wetlands Commission meeting! I am very happy yhat the Commission recognized our numbers, concern, and integrity!! I personally will not be out for the walk through. I believe the map represented was accurate and will not change significantly. Bear in mind this is not the battle for our group...it will be the actual developement plan.
Wed Jun 8 10:11:51 2005	John	Ironically, the builder's desire to buffer the development from existing homes contributes to its sprawl. I find the road that meanders in a north or northwest direction to be most troubling as it bisects the property that is a high priority for preservation. I'd rather see clustered housing adjacent to developed areas.
Wed Jun 8 12:43:42 2005	Mary	John...I like your idea. If the Town can not purchase all the acreage, then purchase some of the developement with a "green zone" in the center? Or "green zone" closer to Town Forest Road? Any other suggestions? We have to start planning for alternate proposals!
Wed Jun 8 17:47:10 2005		We don't get to propose squat unless we buy the land ourselves.
Wed Jun 8 19:42:10 2005	John	I would concentrate development closer to Woodhaven and Merrywood. The road due west of the campus seems somewhat palatable. My proposal would remove approximately 47 sites. The remaining homes would be clustered on lots not to exceed .75-1.00 acre. Griswold Farms in Canton is briskly selling executive homes on lots of this size. I want to make it clear that I would rather see NO development. But it doesn't appear the town has the money to purchase the entire parcel. Could they float a bond and seek voter approval? I agree that an endangered species or an Indian burial ground would be compelling arguments against development. Hope someone is exploring these possibilities.
Thu Jun 9 07:53:50 2005	Mary	First, the town has to open up discussions again with Ethel Walker. Our First Selectman needs to put this on his radar. Regarding the comment that we can not propose squat until we but the land, is just not true. We can certainly propose ideas for the Town to explore.
Thu Jun 9 09:20:38 2005	Jennie	The town and other sources do have more money - we need to see realistic numbers for what they think this will yield, not retail prices for lots. And get neogtiations going through the TPL. Lots are definitely going to get pulled for a variety of reasons - they are in their strongest negotiating position NOW with 122 supposedly on the "plan". Once they lose a substantial number their incentive to develop vs. preserve is gone completely. If they sell the rights, rather than the land, they can still use this land as THEIR asset.
Fri Jun 10 20:20:56 2005	Jennifer	What does having a DEP protected aquifer mean? Is there any way to use this to help protect the land from development? Pbviously, we're all living in houses situated on the aquifer. How does the DEP protect them?
Fri Jun 10 20:21:16 2005
Sat Jun 11 09:48:24 2005	Dave	It is my understanding that the Aquifer Protection Act will regulate (when it goes into effect in 3 years) things like gas stations and other commercial ventures that use or store hazardous material over an aquifer. It will have things to say if a new development tries to install underground fuel storage tanks and may have a little to say about septic systems, but for the most part residential activity is not regulated through the Aquifer Protection Act even though residential activity can have a big impact - think ChemLawn!
Sat Jun 11 09:56:17 2005	Dave	But more to the point-- Who the F. is George E. Kelly and why does he want this development so bad? He's been pushing for this for the last decade. Does he have a brother-in-law in development or real estate? I'm convinced that there is some back door dealings going on that need exposure because the potential financial benefits of this development are not greater than a possible development rights deal. Are these bastards selling out the school to line their own pockets?
Sat Jun 11 10:19:08 2005	Jennie	Well, right now the pockets that are CLEARLY being lined are Landquest, the lawyers, etc. The community, the Town and others are willing to give generously to Walker, but now an enormous amount of resources are merely flowing to people outside of our community while they work on trying to destroy it.
Sat Jun 11 10:48:44 2005	Ann	Seems like the Board should have minding their real job of safeguarding the EWS endowment (which plummeted by more than 40 percent from 2000 to 2005) instead of spending so much time and energy hatching this plan. They already sold a parcel of land to Sundial LLC and do not seem to have improved their financial situation. Rather, it continued to decline. Why should this short-term fix be any different? They need to fix a number of problems and show some innovative long term vision. A simple-minded plan of developing this land hurts the school and their image in a variety of ways, and amounts to selling their grandmother's jewelry.
Sun Jun 12 13:31:57 2005	Mary	Hi All! I contacted Aquarion and they are very interested in what is going on. Karen has assigned this little subject to certain people who have been in contact with DEP and the water company. I happen to live over a protected aquifer myself. When my husband and I built our home we are regulated as to what type of containment system we would have for our oil tank. Underground tanks are currently NG in CT, this was changed back in the early 90's. It was either build a containment system around a standard tank in the basement, or custom design a double hull. Currently, a home may have up to a 660 gallon tank. In three years this may change due to the proposed legislation. Gas stations are regulated right now on their activities over these aquifers and have to go the extra mile. Oh and Dave...who is David Kelly? I liked your editorial last week in the Courant.
Mon Jun 13 09:46:33 2005	an alumna	I can see selling some portion of the land if the school really needs the money, but the proposal shows sdevelopment of just about all the land behind the stables, etc. Housees would be right behind the open riding area! It really would be a shame for the school to lose such a valuable and unique resource. Once it's lost, it's gone forever. There must be some other solution.
Mon Jun 13 10:47:52 2005	An Alumna and seasonal neighbor	There doesn't seem to be any information on the EWS website about this. Where can people get the school's perspective on this issue? Who or what is Sundial LLC? Jeopardizing green spaces certainly goes against much of what I came to respect as a student at Walkers. If the school is in financial trouble why haven't they reached out to us? why haven't we been told anything about this? I hope the school has responsibly considered all the options.
Mon Jun 13 11:02:34 2005		I believe David Kelley is on the board of trustees. His daughter went to EWS, class of 1998 or 1997.
Mon Jun 13 11:10:48 2005	Dave	Sundial LLC was a legal entity Walkers spun-off to sell-off some of its land (35 acres) circa 2000. This land is now Brownstone Turn (a row of 10 McMansions off of Sand Hill) plus 5 lots on Dear Park. See, for example, http://simsburyct.virtualtownhall.net/Public_Documents/SimsburyCT_PlanMin/2000%20Archives/S0002F2EF-000A006D or http://simsburyct.virtualtownhall.net/Public_Documents/SimsburyCT_PlanMin/2000%20Archives/S0002F2F1-000A006F These URLs are from Simsbury Town Hall.
Mon Jun 13 11:29:03 2005	Dave	A previous post states that EWS does not have any info on this on its site. That appears to be true. There is also no info on it in the most recent issue of the Alum Mag (newly renamed Sundial appearently after the LLC that sold-off the last chunk of EWS land). To get the school's side of the story contact the Head, Susanna Jones, or any Board Members for whom you can find contact info. (Board members contact info is NOT on the school site OR in the Alum Mag.) The school's general phone numbers are posted on their site. See http://www.ethelwalker.org/Page920.aspx
Mon Jun 13 11:41:54 2005		i had heard that susanna jones's husband was somehow involved in real estate - though to be clear not specifically that he was involved / stood to gain in this situation
Mon Jun 13 15:05:37 2005	jennie	who cares about the above. By selling the development rights they will get a lot fo money for doing nothing, and still keep the land. I think this would be a genius move on the part ofthe board to increase the endowment (risk free) and for the schools image. A lot of the property is wetland, it is centered over a major aquifer, and they will lose some thing really special to the school and the equestrian program by developing it. (not to mention the environment, the community, etc). I'm sure it is a big draw for recruiting faculty as well.
Mon Jun 13 18:58:50 2005	Classofninetynine	It is very disheartening to see EWS fall deeper and deeper into financial trouble. More upsetting than the school's money problems, however, is news that Walker's is at odds with the wonderful town of Simsbury. Ever since Suzanna Jones came to power five years ago, the school has taken a dramatic turn for the worse. Suzanna Jones has rid the school of many beloved school traditions, has axed several successful athletic programs, and has forced her heterosexist, antifemenist valley girl values on Walker's alumnae, students, faculty, and staff. Walker's endowment began its downward spiral as soon as Suzanna became Head of School. This is not a coincidence. Following this trend, it is not surprising Ms. Jones is looking to unload hundreds of acres of Walker's land in the name of money. Without a doubt, Ethel Walker is rolling in her grave. An EWS alum, I am outraged at this development proposal and am furious that Suzanna Jones has been allowed to remain in power as long as she has. The Ethel Walker School will not see any Anual Fund contributions from me as long as Suzanna Jones is in office, and I encourage other alums to make the same vow.
Mon Jun 13 19:06:56 2005	Dave	what jennie said
Tue Jun 14 05:46:00 2005	faraway	As an EWS alumnae, I am very worried about this situation. It is particularly worrying to hear that some feel that the school has gone downhill since the current head took over, not to mention the fact that her husband is a developer. I feel quite powerless to prevent this - is there a practical way forward for preventing this sale/development. For example, is anyone surveying the pond in the woods for endangered amphibians - this is the correct time of year for that.....are local naturalists involved??
Tue Jun 14 08:51:54 2005	Paul	Dear faraway - YOU have the power. Contact Head of School Susanna Jones. Her number at school is 860 408-4210. Tell her you are an alum and that you hope the land can be preserved through a conservation/development rights deal. This will yield a high return on the land and still preserve it. Here's an idea - donate to the TPL fund set up for preserving the land then tell the school that you donated to this fund and that you will NOT donate to the school again unless the land is preserved. (Donations are refundable if the preservation deal does not go forward.) When the land is preserved, your donation to the TPL fund will windup in the school's coffers.
Tue Jun 14 13:08:48 2005	Disturbed	Time for walkers to examine their overhead particularly in these tough financial time. There is a very large staff of over a hundred for about 212 students. Take a look at the school website and also examine where the students are going to college. On the whole not impressive compared to the Spence School in NYC and others including Miss Porters. For 36 thousand dollars or so for tuition it is difficult for me to accept the thesis that the mission of this school with its great tradition is to send the girls to secondary colleges or Universities. I asked one teacher what they did to prepare the girls for college and the answer was we teach then how to interview. What about disciplined education? Some observers at the recent reunion found the classes they visited unfocused and close to bedlam.
Tue Jun 14 14:01:34 2005	an alumna	I agree with the above. But this other "bedlam" about a subdivision on the campus is much more pressing. Certainly getting risk free monies up front for preservation could start to get the school on the right track and focused back to their mission of educating and preparing students for the future - including doing the right thing by example. Not informing us about this was not the right thing. I'll send a check tomorrow to EWS if I find out that they are smart enough to accept millions of dollars for doing nothing (by selling the development rights and still owning the property) and get back on track focussed on the school and the students.
Tue Jun 14 22:39:53 2005	reply to faraway	We are trying to survey vernal pools, etc. We are also encouraging a full environmental review of the property.
Fri Jun 17 11:22:51 2005	Dave	Sarah Redlich is on the EWS board. She gave 2.5 million dollars to the school last year. She is also in the business of real estate development. Is there a connection? I don't know. Do you?
Fri Jun 17 17:13:37 2005	concerned alum	I believe many of you are jumping to conclusions about any business ties that people involved with Walker's may have to the development of this land. It has been my experience that the members of the Board work to benefit the school (not themselves) in the best possible way. The people who serve on the board have a genuine love for the school, whether it be because they went to the school or one of their loved ones attended, or because they have an interest in the education of young ladies. At this point it does not help to blame anyone that the value of the endowment is not as great as one would hope. The fact is, the school must need money in order to continue to offer an excellent education and environment if they are even considering developing any of the school's land. I would suggest a nonthreatening dialog with the board to clear up all the "theories" that have been suggested in these comments. I believe that the school's last resort is to sell (develop) the land, so if you are proposing a better way to raise money from the land, the school would be all for it. I would suspect though, that if homes do go up on that land, that the school would want to control what goes up and where.