Thursday June 12, 2008

Statement Issued by First Selectman Thomas A. Herrmann:

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at Samuel Staples School - 6 AM to 8 PM

Why you should vote YES to support the proposal by the Easton Board of Selectmen to resolve, once and for all, the long-standing dispute over the proposed "affordable high-density housing" development on this 29.7 tract in southern Easton:

1. Economic Savings to the Taxpayers - If the current owner/developer wins the pending lawsuit against the Town in the Affordable Housing Court to build 72 affordable housing units - which is likely based upon advice of counsel - the incremental educational costs to the Easton taxpayer is very conservatively estimated at $3,000,000 in net present value over 20 years as determined by an independent consulting firm hired by our Land Acquisition and Preservation Authority. This will save the Town over $160,000 per year.

2. Environmental Protection - with the deed restrictions and conservation easements being placed by the Town at time of sale, the developer will drop the pending litigation as well as withdraw his pending permit application for a "Sequential Batch Reactor Septic System" already approved by the Department of Environmental Protection. This action will safe guard the water quality of the Mill River while protecting the surrounding environment.

3. Protection of Easton's Zoning Regulations - upon completion of the transaction proposed by the Board of Selectmen and approved by other Town Boards and Commissions, Easton will be able to control its' own destiny, resolve this costly litigation and ensure that our zoning is protected into the future at this strategic site.

As background, the proposal calls for the Town to acquire the site from the owner and developer, Running Brook LLC, for $6.15 million and simultaneously sell a lease/purchase option to the New England Prayer Center, a non-profit entity, for $300,000. If the Center cannot raise the remaining $5.85 million to buy the property from the Town within two years, the Town keeps the $300,000 and, in order to recoup its cost, can then sell the land after sub-dividing the property into as many as 14 single acre building lots while also using our "fee in lieu of fund" of $850,000 to pay for the balance of the 15 acres along the banks of the Mill River.

Please vote YES next Tuesday to support this innovative proposal to preserve our zoning regulations, protect the Mill River and finally, bring to an end the costly litigation to the Town over "affordable high-density housing" at this important site. This is the only vote you will have on this proposal - no second chances - so please support this proposal and in so doing, preserve and protect the Easton we all know and love.