Letter: 'Plea For Easton Safety and Fiscal Responsibility'

To The Editor:

At the Easton referendum on Tuesday, March 30, for the safety of Easton pedestrians and sensible use of our taxpayer funds, we should Vote “NO” on "advisory" BALLOT ITEM #5 to spend a quarter-million dollars of our taxpayer money to build a multi-use sidewalk right next to speeding traffic on Sport Hill Road (RT 59)

Here's why you should vote "NO”: This sidewalk will force pedestrians, children, people in wheelchairs, and bicyclists to travel alongside this busy, dangerous roadway, rather than provide them with a safer, more affordable option –– to travel on the existing pathway that citizens created years ago to prevent the need for walking on the hazardous Sport Hill highway. Fixing up this existing path is a far safer and much cheaper option with less liability for the town and is more in keeping with Easton's natural character.

Efforts are already underway to fix the existing path. Board of Finance Chairman Andy Keschel contacted Aquarian Water Company for permission to use their land for this existing path from Keller to the Easton Village Store, and Aquarion has put this on their next meeting’s agenda. Members of the community are already expressing interest in helping with the tools, equipment, and labor to fix up the existing pathway. We can make this a great community project that brings Easton together and provides what Easton needs — a safe economical pathway that is in keeping with Easton’s rustic, bucolic character.

The "Charette" that the Easton Planning & Zoning Commission conducted on this multi-use Sidewalk revealed a strong public desire for the better alternative of fixing the existing path through the woods away from Rt. 59. It also revealed that not only did P&Z want to create this expansive, expensive, and intrusive multi-use walkway along state Highway 59 from Helen Keller school to the Easton Vilage store, it also reveled that P&Z plans to continue this walkway system down the other side of Sport Hill Road, convert Banks Road into a one way road that continues along Banks to Town Hall, to the library, and to Greiser's Store. Who will pay for this elaborate walkway system? And why would we need it?

Over 73% of our budget goes to school education. We are in need of fixing two bridges, replacing our 95-year-old EMS building (approximately $1.5 million), raising necessary funds to replace Helen Keller's roof, and spending $180,000 to replace air tanks for the Easton Fire Department. How much can Easton taxpayers FUND? In light of all these needs, this sidewalk is not fiscally responsible spending – especially when there is a far better alternative.

Grant Monsarrat
Easton, CT