Letter to the Editor: We Need to Consider the Bigger Picture on Nov. 8

To the Editor:

As a resident of Canton, I have read many of the arguments for and against moving the town garage (and its salt and fuel storage areas), including the cost of moving it.

My major concern, however, is the future of the River itself.  Yes, I would like the River to be accessible for recreation and open space, but what about the ecological condition of the water?  While we don’t think much about flooding here in Canton, especially while we are enduring drought conditions, the current garage site did experience flooding as recently as 5 years ago, and inevitably will again.  … Continue Reading

Letter to the Editor: Reader Supports a New Town Garage Off the River Site

To the Editor:

I support the relocation of the town garage to an off river site.  The Town Plan of Conservation and Development, The Upper Mill Pond Management Plan, The Permanent Municipal Building Committee and the Canton Conservation Commission have all recommended getting the garage off the river.  The present site is perfectly suited for recreational development and there are viable alternatives to accommodate our much needed town garage such as the commercially zoned area on Commerce Dr.  … Continue Reading

Letter to the Editor: There is Little Frontage for Public Recreation on Farmington River

To the Editor:

Canton has a 7-mile stretch of the Farmington River between New Hartford and Burlington. The town owns about 1,600 feet of that frontage, most of it devoted to the town garage and the sewer plant. There is little frontage for public recreation. The fact that the town garage is currently on the river is not a compelling reason for keeping it there. The garage can be workable on any number of other sites. Farmington River frontage owned by the public as parkland would open it up for boat launching, public celebrations, picnicking. It could be a place where residents go simply to enjoy the view, to congratulate themselves for choosing a town with such a beautiful public amenity. … Continue Reading

Letter to the Editor: Good Government Changes Its Plans When Facts Change

Letter to Editor: Collinsville Historic District Commission Members Oppose Building the Town Garage on 50 River Road

To the Editor:

The Collinsville Historic District Commission recognizes the urgent need for a new facility for the Department of Public Works but it is concerned with the impact the project will have on the historic character of the town if the project is built on the 50 River Road site. This location seems to be a compromise solution that deprives DPW of the larger facility needed and proposed for other sites while introducing a modern industrial building unlike any other in Collinsville. The proposed metal building will not be sympathetic with the town’s 19^th century origins and will be a jarring interruption of the natural beauty of the river scape. … Continue Reading

Letter to the Editor: Resident Remains Unconvinced That Rebuilding Garage at Current Location is the Best Option

To the Editor:

I recently returned from a brief trip to coastal North Carolina and Virginia.  To date, I have not seen the following issue addressed in the discussion over where to place Canton’s Town Garage.  How many Canton residents viewed the recent scenes of devastation from North Carolina and Virginia following last week’s Hurricane Matthew, a storm that was supposed to hit South Carolina and then “blow out to sea?”  Has anyone considered what might happen to a rebuilt garage on the Farmington River should such an event occur here?   … Continue Reading

Letter to the Editor: Cut Our Losses and Surrender Ownership of Grange Building

To the Editor:

The current Board of Selectmen finds itself struggling with a financial quagmire created when the previous board voted 3-2 to accept the North Canton Grange Hall as a gift.

As a member of that previous board I was presented with an estimate of some $30,000 to perform repairs necessary for returning the building to a usable condition. … Continue Reading

Letter to the Editor: Resident Encourages a ‘No’ Vote

To the Editor:

I encourage my fellow citizens in Canton to vote against the current referendum.  Yes, we need a new Town Garage, but let’s follow the vision for town development that many worked so hard to create.  Rebuilding the garage in its current location along the river is inconsistent with that vision and the wrong location.

There have been three separate studies conducted on behalf of the Town of Canton that do not support replacing the garage on the river.  The first two affirmatively support recreational use for this location on the river – Canton’s Plan of Conservation and Development and the Upper Mill Pond Development Plan.  In addition, the Town’s Permanent Municipal Building Committee argued against building the garage on the river and identified several alternative sites. … Continue Reading

Letter to the Editor: Rebuilding the Garage at Its Current Location Violates Canton’s Vision of the Future

To the Editor:

A riverfront is a one-time natural gift and should be treated as such. This November, the voters of Canton have the opportunity and the obligation to enforce our town’s commitment to preserving our greatest natural gift, Canton’s riverfront.

As required by Connecticut General Statutes §8-23, Canton has adopted a Plan of Conservation and Development (“POCD”).  The POCD is our blueprint for Canton’s development, and it unequivocally preserves our riverfront for recreation, open space, and economic revitalization. Rebuilding the town garage at its current location would violate the POCD.  It also would conflict with the Upper Mills Pond Management Plan (the “Plan”).  … Continue Reading

Letter to the Editor: Watershed Association Weighs in on Public Works Facility Plan

To the Editor:

The argument for re-building the Canton town garage on a mound at its existing location goes something like this:  No other site is presently available, affordable, and acceptable; using the current site is the cheapest alternative, it’s technically feasible, and conforms to the letter (at least) of regulations about building on floodplains;  the garage staff should have a better facility; and not least, people are tired of this issue, and it could be resolved with a referendum vote in November. … Continue Reading