3 State Senators Question Darien's Proposed Purchase Of Great Island

DARIEN, CT — Three state senators are questioning Darien's proposed purchase of Great Island for $103 million.

State Sens. Bob Duff (majority leader, D-Norwalk), Pat Billie Miller (D-Stamford), and Will Haskell (D-Westport) sent a letter to First Selectman Monica McNally on Tuesday, requesting a meeting to discuss the Open Choice Program and affordable housing in Darien.

The letter was sent after the Darien Board of Selectmen's presentation on Monday that discussed Great Island and potential uses for the property.

"Given the news, we are again requesting the opportunity to meet with you to discuss two issues that now take on greater importance and urgency," Duff, Haskell and Miller said in their letter. "It is our hope that you will respond to this request as our others have gone unanswered."

On Wednesday afternoon, McNally responded via email to the senators, and said they're welcome to attend a board of selectmen meeting to address the board and residents. McNally also said she provided specific meeting dates and times to meet with the senators over the last month, but she didn't get a response.

McNally extended invitations to the senators to attend future board meetings in July, August and September.

"This would be a great opportunity for you to hear from our Board and our constituents on matters that are important to Darien residents and to learn how you can work to help us," McNally said.

Earlier this year, the Darien Board of Education voted against the district participating in an Open Choice program with Norwalk schools, which would've allowed 13 Norwalk kindergartners to attend elementary school in Darien in the fall.

At the time, board members discussed the cost associated with taking on the additional students.

"In refusing to accept 13 Norwalk kindergarten students, the Board of Education cited unknown costs associated with assuming responsibility for these students, even though the state fully covers the cost of every student’s education under the Open Choice program," Duff, Haskell, and Miller continued.

"The decision by the Town to purchase the Great Island property with so many unknowns—how the property will be used, how to replace the loss to the grand list, what the costs of insuring, maintaining, securing and ultimately developing the property will be, leads us to question the legitimacy of the reason given for rejecting Open Choice. We believe this topic requires further discussion."

The senators also brought up Darien's affordable housing situation. They noted that the town has 3.97 percent of its housing as deed-restricted affordable housing. Municipalities are required to meet a 10 percent threshold as outlined in state statute 8-30g.

Duff, Haskell and Miller said the town has consistently said that Darien is 98 percent developed.

"The purchase of 60 acres by the town certainly ameliorates this situation, creating an opportunity for Darien to invest in affordable housing stock to meet its legal obligation," the senators said. "We would like to discuss this opportunity with you and ways in which we can assist in this effort. We are confident that the state would welcome the opportunity to partner with Darien on this initiative."