We’re writing to support a special appropriation for the New Canaan Land Trust’s acquisition of the six-acre Fowler property in Silvermine. The town would fund a relatively small share of the overall cost. But if it fails to act quickly, other commitments would lapse, and the deal could collapse.
A map lays out the area of the Fowler Property (in orange) running roughly east-west between Silvermine Road and an existing New Canaan Land Trust sanctuary. Courtesy of the NCLT
The main concern of some town officials is setting an unwanted precedent for the budget process. But wouldn’t it be an even worse precedent to allow the deal to die?
The Fowler acquisition exemplifies the town’s best-case scenario for Land Trust acquisitions: it would enhance our quality of life, it would protect the environment, and would be funded primarily from other sources.
If our budget process effectively precludes such a deal, then we should re-think the process.
Yes, a setting up a fund with predictable annual contributions would take pressure off the budget process. But first things first. It would be sadly ironic if merely proposing a Land Acquisition Fund results in scuttling the ideal transaction for which the Land Acquisition Fund is intended.
Thank you.
Libby and Tom Butterworth
I strongly agree with the Butterworths regarding the acquisition of the Fowler property in particular and of the work of the New Canaan Land Trust in general.
If you are for more open space in New Canaan to be purchased and placed under the care of the New Canaan Land Trust, I urge you to come to the Board of Selectmen’s meeting at 9:00am this Tuesday the 20th at the Town Hall meeting room. This is one of the few chances we will have to let the BOS know that it is more than just a few “tree huggers” who have an interest in preserving open space in our Town.
Thank You George and the Butterworths, I’m for more open land not construction of buildings. We have enough of that.
From a large tree hugger…
N.Jensen
Maybe theConservation group should have checked with the town officials before offering the Fowlers so much for their property.it was put on the market and never sold at the price they are now asking for.i have heard most properties are donated, but I understand possibly not this large.