[Home] [Back] [Print]

Wethersfield Taxpayers Association, Inc. Our goal is to keep essential services at an affordable level for all taxpayers! WTXA … Your tax watchdog.

December 15, 2003

Wethersfield’s strongest asset is its residential neighborhoods. The town is comprised of many--each with its own appeal.

The jewel in the crown is Old Wethersfield, with its marvelously preserved houses, barns and other structures. But there are other welcoming areas throughout--be it the curving streets of Wells Quarter Village; the Park Avenue green; or the fancy new places off the Berlin Turnpike.

These beckoning sites, along with an old-fashioned feeling of community, are what gives the town its cache. That is what attracts prospective homeowners. It also invites owners of high-quality businesses and industries to locate here.

Currently under discussion is a proposal to add artificial turf and high-intensity night lighting to Cottone Field. All this to the tune of, approximately a million dollars.

The questions to be asked with this proposed development, as well as all other proposals, is this: Would it increase the quality of life? Or would it detract from it? In our opinion, it would have a significant negative impact!

Unfortunately, in recent years we have seen the dramatic deterioration of our overall quality of life. Sometimes this has occurred as an unfortunate side effect of a project that was supposed to be "new, improved." Other times it has come about through ongoing neglect of a particular problem.

To cite several examples:

The cell tower. Even though this structure on Kelleher Court was "given" to the town by AT&T, it winds up denigrating the formerly fine residential streets in the north Ridge Road area. How would you like a 180-foot ugly monstrosity in your backyard?

Bus engine-revving. Connecticut Transit busses routinely idle their engines, for hours on end, in the Goodwin Park area. Again, put yourself in the position of those people who live in the houses nearby. Hear the noise! Smell the exhaust!

The Cove and sewage. For years now, we have been living with this onslaught. Whenever it rains, millions of gallons of raw sewage from the South End of Hartford spew into the Cove. This site has been called a national treasure. Yet we, until now, have stood by, watching this recurring contamination.

Crest Street Park – This is another quality of life issue that is currently coming to the forefront.

Apply the measuring sticks above to the Cottone Field situation. Some claim that, because of fund-raising, it will not cost the town anything out of pocket. Therefore, they say, go for it!

Even if we think we are get this stuff for "free," the Wethersfield Taxpayers Assn., still has concerns about the negative impact on the neighborhood surrounding the field, and the Town overall.

The possibility of having approximately 500 events per year has been discussed by supporters. This would bring undue noise and traffic and change the sensibility of the district. Up to now, it has been yet another one of Wethersfield’s prime residential areas: serene, well-kept, quiet.

We believe to proceed with the Cottone Field project is not in the best interests of the neighborhood and Town at large. Its priority in the total scheme of things is distorted and to move ahead can only be described as irresponsible.

President
Wethersfield Taxpayers Association, Inc.