Opinion: Brookfielders Disagree with School's Decision on Cadigan Park Bus Stop

Letters to the Editor from Brookfield parents:

To whom it may concern,

I am a mother of 7 year old triplet girls who attend AIS. We do not make it to the bus most mornings, so I am a lacking some information. Before I send my letter of protest, I would like some clarification please... I’d like to know what has happened for you to make the decision to move the bus stop? It seems to be the most logical place for the “community” to meet for the bus. I’d also like to have an explanation as to why you feel Cadigan Park would be a safer solution. Can you please address my letter, and then maybe I can make a better opinion regarding this move.

Right now, I can see some good reasons not to use Cadigan Park as the bus stop. The children from New Milford already spend almost 1 hour on the bus to and from school each day! This would increase the time of their commute because Cadigan Park is so much farther from 84, and there is so much traffic on Candlewood Lake Road in the morning.

Cadigan Park is very quiet right now, but come springtime, there will be sports practices on the field when the children arrive. If you think safety is an issue now, just wait until the high school kids come rushing to practice in their cars, with brand new drivers licenses. There is no place for the children to run off a little steam at this park without being in the parking lot.

With all the cars that are going to be parked there, I think it will be difficult for the bus to turn around, especially when boating season has started, and trailers are parked in the lot.

The safety and welfare of our children should be our first concern. The increase in travel time for ALL of the children is not fair to them. Candlewood Lake Road gets very busy in the morning, with people going to work, and the Huckleberry Hill buses arriving, and parent drop-off. The bus would have to leave MUCH EARLIER in order for the children to get to school on time. I’m willing to hear your reasons for thinking this is a safer option, but right now, I just cannot see this being a “Better and Safer” option.

Thank you for your response,

~Shari Styranovski

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We would like to second these comments. This is a short-sighted solution - a band-aid type solution - with no consideration to the users of the process. The decision was made with no consideration or request of input from the families involved. We are a tight-knit group of families that rely on each other to coordinate drop-offs/pick-ups between the Brookfield school district and the AIS school.

Safety is a concern for wherever and whenever our children are involved. The Town Hall and Town Park area is a public meeting area and of all places, should have safety at the top of its list. We do not see safety as the priority for the decision, only an ill-informed one made in a silo.

We would propose an alternate solution with little impact that we ‘patrol’ during the two short time frames - 8:00-8:25 a.m. and 4:00-4:30 p.m. for safety.

As your roles are to answer to the community, we ask who do you ultimately answer to? Would your decision still be the same if your children and your family were among the group effected?

Disappointment does not capture it all, but as educated and logical people, this decision should be re-considered.

~Stella and Scott Lanphear

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As I sit and ponder how this got this far, I can’t believe our town has let this happen. A once democratic community has become dictatorship. Yes, you have moved the bus stop. Yes, you will address the parents. But you have not listened to us or taken us into consideration. The first of this possible move was notified on Friday, March 20, 2015. And now, without further notice you are telling us of the executive decision to move the bus stop.

Child safety is the importance, but you have not addressed the town issue of safety. You have just relocated a group. A group that you have severely impacted in many ways.

The relocation is not only an inconvenience, but also a hazard to parents that have to travel up the hazardous roads to the new location. The impact this will have on the increasing traffic will be created from one side of town to the other. The concern is the traffic created between BHS, WMS, and the new AIS stop. Many Brookfield families have multiple siblings and now you’ve created a big traveling and time restraint that will be felt by all the community.

You have not taken into consideration what we, the AIS FAMILIES, thought and felt about this move. “OUR” children’s safety has always been and will always be our primary concern!

What could have been a simple talk, a couple of changes in town format, and some initial police surveillance, has now turned into a more complex problem that will affect most of the town, New Milford, and the AIS bus stop, just because you could not take the time to talk to the parents.

I will hold the town and its officials responsible for the chaos and hazards that they have created.

A very disappointed parent,
Tatiana Preston