LETTER: Hearing evidence, selectman changes his vote

Last Updated on Thursday, 08 December 2011 15:28 Written by Greg Coyne
Thursday, 08 December 2011 14:12

To the Editor:

The proposed Toll Brothers 55+ development has resulted in an active public discourse.

While I am not opposed to developing a portion of the CCW property, I withdraw my support for this proposal. As a member of the BOS I have tried to listen to every opinion expressed in multiple public comment opportunities.

I have been surprised at the number of people and the diverse cross section who have come out or reached out (to me personally) to either ask for information or share their opinion.

There are numerous fair points for and against this proposal but the argument against I cannot reconcile is the absence of master plan of development for this entire property.

The proposal represents a plan for 17 acres but implementing that plan will potentially limit, exclude or predetermine other options.

I believe the reason enough residents have asked “where did this come from?” is because they do not feel they were involved in the process to create and decide upon a plan for this property they supported purchasing.

I think it is reasonable to assume that if you develop one piece of a large property then your future plan will be determined and limited by that initial action. That is making a plan as you go, not developing one in advance.

Possibly, the last three years where we have had a company managing the country club and the town has been essentially collecting rent has caused us to not be proactive in thinking about a plan for the entire parcel, what residents want and how the town cost/liability can be minimized.

Currently we do not have an operator who will manage the club for the upcoming season. We have a facility that is in dire need of repairs.

If the golf business was not challenging enough “our” public/private club has a new public/private competitor that is down the street (formerly Oak Lane). What does the country club operation have to do with the Toll Brothers proposal?

Nothing, if you wish to evaluate each in a vacuum or if an overall plan is not something you desire. However, the country club management/operator status and the Oaklane purchase are two very recent developments that are added reasons we need an over-arching plan.

We have been paying interest only on one year notes and this summer we must make a large principal payment. It would be convenient to pay off almost 2 million from a sale and we could bond out the rest but it is an action in haste.

We need to get our house in order with respect to the club. We need to not just figure out how it will be run next season but if we really want to own a country club long-term and if so we should understand the costs and liabilities that come with that territory.

We should create a plan for development for the property that has public support and is aligned with our own town plan for conservation and development and then (and only then) we can consider selling some portion for development or other to be preserved.

Make your own informed decision but some people, like myself, may be voting “no” because they want a more thought out plan for the entire country club property. Regardless, please make the time to vote.

Greg Coyne

Woodbridge Selectman