Terry Cowgill

Mysterious Flier’s Origins Unknown

May 1, 2008 on 5:32 am | In Main |

Note: The following is a sidebar I wrote to accompany the story on the proposed acquisition of the Luke and Fitting properties in this morning’s print edition. Because of a lack of space, it was not published, so this is a tcextra.com Web exclusive.

SALISBURY — As if showing up in force at the first two informational meetings last month wasn’t enough, Belgo Road residents are apparently mobilizing against the proposed acquisition of the Luke and Fitting properties with a flier and an ad in this week’s Lakeville Journal urging taxpayers to vote no on the $2 million proposal.

The flier addresses “Belgo Road Residents” and states in bold letters, “DO NOT let the town transfer station (the dump) move into our Belgo Road backyard … If approved, we would face increased traffic flow on our road, noise from the transfer station, as well as smells that will emanate from that location.”

It is not clear who produced the flier since it is unsigned. Belgo Road resident Michael LaRose placed the ad in today’s paper. LaRose denied any involvement with the fliers.

“I believe you have a duty to stand up and speak your mind,” he said in an interview. Of the possibility that the flier was not produced by someone on Belgo Road, LaRose added, “That crossed my mind. Anonymous material doesn’t pass the smell test.”

At Monday night’s public hearing on the proposed 2008-09 town and education budgets, First Selectman Curtis Rand told this reporter a town contractor had found a copy of the flier on Belgo Road. The flier bears little resemblance to LaRose’s ad.

The flier informs weekenders that absentee ballots will not be accepted at the May 2 town meeting to accept or reject the purchase and to call Rand “if you find this unacceptable.” The flier also touts the purported advantages of remaining at the current site owned by The Hotchkiss School. Rand has said the nearest homes on Belgo Road are at least a mile away from the proposed site.

LaRose, a part-time resident from Sparta, N.J., has been passionate and aggressive on several fronts in his opposition to the proposed purchase of the Luke and Fitting properties, especially at the two informational meetings that were held last month.

“This deal stinks, but it’s not the garbage,” he quipped.

LaRose said the Luke and Fitting properties are too expensive. He characterized the last-minute offer by Hotchkiss for a new 50-year lease as “extremely generous.” And he is particularly concerned that the town of Sharon, with whom Salisbury has partnered at the Hotchkiss site since 1975, is not sharing in the financial and legal risks associated with purchasing the Luke and Fitting properties.

“I’m sure they’re laughing at us,” LaRose added.

LaRose’s sentiments were echoed by 22-year Belgo Road resident Betty Mitchell, who also denied knowing anything about the flier: “This is just not a well thought-out plan.”

— Terry Cowgill