Newtown Residents Speak Out on Hunter Ridge Development

NEWTOWN, CT — Newtown Inland Wetlands Commission met recently to hear modifications to a proposal by Hunter Ridge, LLC to build 29 single family units at property located at 41, 43, 45 and 47 Mt. Pleasant Road in Newtown.

Larry Edwards of Edwards Associates presented a simplified plan for the end of the walkway towards Taunton Lake after residents expressed concerns.

At the public participation part of the meeting, residents voiced their concerns. According to meeting minutes, the following residents spoke:

Robert Grossman of 49 Mount Pleasant Road is against the application due to concerns over slushy land where the buildings are being proposed.

Joe Draper of 39 Taunton Lake, 20 and 60 Castle Hill, was concerned over unsupervised activity and garbage on or near the lake and urged Commissioners to look at the pump house. Draper said the development would increase the population on the lake by 75 percent and that no other town has allowed a similar development.

David Rosen of 43 Taunton Lake said he thought this would be the first step in a long process of potential activities that will end up similar or worse to the original plan.

Tom Stickles of 65/67 Mount Pleasant Road said the presentation was putting “the cart before the horse” and was concerned of what was to come in the future.

Jason Strano of 35 Taunton Lake Drive was concerned about boats, storage and garbage on the property.

Patricia Barkman of 49 Taunton Lake Road, is worried about the environment and biodiversity.

Charles Dimino of 37 Taunton Lake Drive was concerned about erosion.

Gregg Reinhart of 40 Taunton Lake Drive is concerned about a rock wall in a single family residence.

The application for possible action will be continued until the next meeting on May 25, 2016.

Image via Google Earth