Letters to the Editor - June 2023

Town Land Purchase

To the Editor:

I am reaching out regarding the Special Town Meeting held in the Goshen Center School on May 9^th, for the purposes of voting on a land acquisition.  A brief verbal presentation was made stating how both our Public Works and Fire Departments need more space.

The only solution presented was for the Town to purchase the 13.8 acres adjacent to the Goshen Land Trust wetlands preserve across RT4 from the Fire Dept.  This site would need to be excavated to construct a 12,000 sq ft storage building.  The funds needed to acquire the land are approximately $200,000.

So $200,000 buys some land.  What was not presented were how many vehicles we own that need to be sheltered.  What was not presented were the costs of this equipment (insured value and specific replacement costs).

What was not presented were the costs beyond this $200,000 to finish the project.  The $200,000 does not include legal fees, design costs, site improvements and preparation, materials, or construction costs. It also does not include annual operating and maintenance costs.

Why do we not know any of this?  No one spends $200,000 without knowing how much more we need to spend.  

Worse, no alternative considerations were presented with their related costs.

We own a Public Works Facility.  Why were 3 proposals from competing companies for the site work and improvements required to upgrade this facility not brought forward for public scrutiny? 

We own a large parcel of land for our Fire Department.  This is being used as a dumping ground for chewed up pavement, wood chips, and waste.  Why were 3 proposals not presented for public scrutiny on expanding this facility?

I like our First Selectman, I think he knows this. But in my opinion, mistakes were made.  The questions I raise are for the greater good, and I believe should have been addressed before asking for a yes or no vote.  At the very least a continuance option should have been made available.  This would have allowed the Town to better supply the residents with specific information and data, not the lingering questions we have and should have.  No presentation was offered by the Town utilizing hand-outs explaining financial considerations, mapping, or the intent of usage of this property.  I submit this vote was premature as the Town was not ready, and certainly the 125+/- people in attendance were not properly supplied information.

Yes, I absolutely support the town’s need for infrastructure, I support our town’s workers, and I believe we will unify to satisfy their needs.  I also support doing this in a better and more open way which will garner more support than just a 43 vote margin. 

With everything said above, I do not and will not support the Solar Farm going onto this property. What a disgusting blemish on the beauty to one of the entrances of Goshen!

When I drive north into Goshen, I pass a beautiful vineyard and the best Fair Grounds in the state.  When I drive west into Goshen, I pass two exotic animal farms and a Country Club. When I drive south into Goshen, I drive by fantastic farms before entering a wonderful town center.

And because of this Public works and Fire Department storage building property, when I drive east into Goshen, after climbing Mohawk Mt and passing Tyler Lake and Old West Goshen, right up against our wet-Lands on Rt. 4, will be massive Solar panels on huge concrete platforms.  We will have solar panels blocking our views and access to our wetlands…

These solar companies know just how invasive their products are, or they would not offer large amounts of cash to install them with a 30-year contract.   The same solar company approached Woodridge Lake.  Their offer was to clear-cut our wooded equestrian center and put up panels. They offered significant amounts of money, which fortunately, Woodridge Lake declined.  Goshen must decline this too.

Let’s turn this purchase into a nature zone where people can just sit and enjoy their day with benches and a pavilion, or a much needed dog park, or a donation to the Goshen Land Trust, or just leave it the heck alone.

Michael Esposito

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Goshen Post Office

To the Editor:

I have been reading The Goshen News and noticed your writings about the Goshen CT Post Office. The quality of your paper, print, and most importantly local news is wonderful!

When I was a young girl my aunt, Mary (Mamie, Mame) Negri McLeod moved to Goshen, after my uncle Harry’s death, to a wonderful petite home by the brook and next door to a then store which housed the post office.

I remember quite fondly the beautiful post office boxes for residents and how carefully the Postmistress attended their mail.

(That and my one cent atom balls individually wrapped in the glass container on the counter near the cash register, my allowance splurge)!

I still have one of her antique wooden round cheese boxes that was hand painted with panoramic yet different lovely scenes of the Goshen neighborhood.

My aunt Mame introduced my family to the Goshen Fair; I saw my very first cow on the way to her home, and fondly remember the milk can near her door.

It was very exciting that I bought a stamp from my aunt, placed it on my envelope, and it would’ve been delivered by the U. S. Postal Mail!

Life in the country, the beautiful country.

Nica

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To the Editor: