Letter to the Editor: Save Hatton Meadow

From Save Hatton Meadow Coalition

We are trying to stop the destruction of a precious meadow eco system located on preserved old farmland donated to the town in 1978 by Raymond Hatton. This land (Hatton Meadow) has been used for the past 37 years as a passive open-space recreational area by surrounding Southington residents. The Town Council and Planning and Zoning have granted approval for the installation of Solar panels on this parcel of land next to Hatton school. This will be a solar panel field on the ground approximately 2 acres in size. Talk of the solar panels led residents to believe that they would be installed on the roof. Most people have never heard of a solar farm. There was never a public hearing, or a meeting with Hatton school parents and neighbors. We feel that a site walk of this town owned donated parcel should have taken place with a public meeting explaining the different types of solar installations so residents could be educated. It has now turned out that the panels are proposed to be installed on about 50% of the 4.1 acre open space parcel, thereby destroying any aesthetic or environmental value.

We are not against solar panels. We are firmly against these ground panels, as they belong on the roof. Please join us to urge the Town Council to rescind this plan. Please join us this coming Monday June, 22nd Southington town Council Meeting at 7 PM at the new town Center building. We wish to preserve Raymond Hatton’s legacy for our residents and especially for our children’s environmental education.