August 20, 2016-Save the date!
More info to follow!
The appellate court has denied both petitions for certification in the case of Saddle Ridge v. Easton Planning and Zoning Commission and Saddle Ridge v. Conservation Commission.
This means the years-long battle against the proposal to build Saddle Ridge Village, a nearly 100-unit development with affordable housing units on a 124.7-acre site on watershed land, apparently is now over.
Huntley “Bucky” Stone, who owns Saddle Ridge Development LLC and Silver Sports LP along with partner Robert Carlson, proposed the project on a parcel bordering Cedar Hill, Silver Hill, Sport Hill, and Westport roads.
The case involved multiple court decisions and appeals following the P&Z and Conservations Commission’s rejection of several proposals and an alternative proposal by the developers.
A major point of contention was that the density of the Saddle Ridge proposals exceeded what was recommended by the state for development in a watershed.
“It’s been a very long process,” said Attorney Ira Bloom of Berchem, Moses & Devlin of Westport, who represented the P&Z and Conservation Commissions. “The hard work of the two commissions has been confirmed.”
“I’m glad this matter is settled,” First Selectman Adam Dunsby said.
The Coalition to Save Easton is a subgroup of Citizens for Easton. Verne Gay, president of Citizens for Easton, welcomed the news.
He said, “The long and difficult struggle by CFE against this application began years ago, and began with one simple goal — to protect the health and safety of the public water supply and aquifer, by upholding our current zoning regulations. Any diminution of those, or eradication of those — as this application threatened to have done — would have posed an immediate and long term threat to public health by opening up the watershed to intensive development.
“This wouldn’t have been simply ‘one’ application for intensive development had it prevailed, but the first of many because it would have set a precedent for those many to come. Judge Berger obviously came to this conclusion in his original measured decision against the application, and the Appellate Court upheld that decision by denying two petitions for certification by the developer to appeal the decision in Appellate Court.
“We are deeply gratified by the courts’ actions. We are also gratified by the longstanding support of our town’s planning and zoning board, which also denied this application, but also hope this victory offers a measure of guidance to its members as they revise our town’s plan of conservation.”
He said that Easton has a special role, as steward to the public water supply, and also has a unique heritage — as a town that has long embraced its natural and agricultural legacy. Any commercial interests that seek to undermine that unique role and heritage shouldn’t be part of the plan, or part of the future.
“The struggle over Saddle Ridge was in fact a struggle over the future of our town as well as the integrity of the watershed, and thanks to Judge Berger, the Appellate Court, the future has been well-served in this instance. But now isn’t the time to let our guard down. Easton has a special role, and it’s our privilege — and duty —- to continue our steadfast support of it.”
Stone could not be immediately reached for comment.
Protection of the watershed paramount
A Sept. 8 court hearing followed fruitless settlement talks and rejection by the P&Z Commission in January 2015 of Easton Crossing, the developers’ alternative proposal.
Hartford Superior Court Judge Marshall K. Berger’s on Jan. 25 dismissed the appeals of Saddle Ridge Development LLC and Silver Sports LP against the P&Z and the Conservation Commission.
Watershed issues were paramount in reaching the decision to dismiss the appeals, according to Berger’s memorandum of decision.
“The preservation and protection of the wetlands and watercourses from random, unnecessary, undesirable and unregulated uses, disturbance or destruction is in the public interest and is essential to the health, welfare and safety of the citizens of the state,” the document reads.
In accordance with the state legislature’s directions to protect the town’s watersheds, the town’s land use commissions “properly reviewed the impact of Saddle Ridge’s proposal and denied the applications,” the memorandum reads.
Town and Coalition to Save Easton officials knew the Jan. 25 court decision might not mark the end of the proceedings. Indeed, their positive reaction to the decision was short-lived.
On Feb. 22, the final day of a 20-day deadline to request that the appellate court hear the case on appeal, Saddle Ridge filed two Petitions for Certification — one each for the P&Z case and wetlands case.
A Petition for Certification is a request for the Appellate Court to hear the case on appeal.
Appeals in land use cases are not automatic.
The two town commissions and the Coalition to Save Easton filed memos opposing the two Petitions for Certification to the appellate court by Saddle Ridge Development LLC, et al, to hear their case on appeal.
Bloom sent the memos in opposition to the appellate court hearing the case on March 2. Attorney Jan Brooks, representing the Coalition to Save Easton, intervenor in the case, also sent an opposing memo to Saddle Ridge’s petitions the same day.
Posted in In The Press, Preserving Easton, Saddle Ridge
The Easton Conservation Commission was constituted in 1970 with the responsibility of enforcing the state Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act. Under State Statute, the commission has the following additional responsibilities:
• To develop, conserve, supervise and regulate natural resources including water resources.
• To conduct research and provide recommendations into the actual and potential use of land areas.
• To keep an index of all open areas whether public or privately owned.
• To acquire land in the name of the town when deemed advisable.
Major land acquisition
In 1975 the town completed one of the largest land acquisitions in its history. At this time Conservation Commission members Alden Speare, Robert J. Nicola, Pauline S. Marks, Leslie B. Warren, Mimi J. Boyd, Jean Everett and Margaret Kerr made the recommendation that the town purchase 128 acres of land from Ralph D. Paine Jr. for what is known as the Paine Open Space.
The purchase was a collaborative effort with a total of $435,000 being raised. Half of the funds came from a federal grant, while the remainder was split evenly between the state of Connecticut and the town of Easton.
Paine Open Space
Easton owns the majority of the Paine Open Space, however, the Aspetuck Land Trust owns two adjacent parcels containing approximately 10 acres. Since the original acquisition, the Conservation Commission and the town have added an additional 15 acres for a total of more than 150 acres that will be preserved forever.
All parcels are interconnected with hiking trails that meander through different habitats from open meadows to woodland areas, as well as wetlands with a number of ponds and bridges. There is even an island that is connected by a bridge in one of the larger ponds.
The trails are great for hiking and horseback riding, as well as snowshoeing or cross country skiing in the winter. Many residents have enjoyed ice skating on one of the ponds in the colder months. There are 10 ponds of varying sizes on the property and seven interconnected ponds built by Paine. Go to eastonct.gov and enter Paine in the search section for a downloadable map of the Paine Open Space trail system.
We encourage all Eastonites, young and old, to explore this beautiful piece of town-owned land. The property is on Maple Road with two entrances. The main entrance, between #210 and #220, has plenty of parking while a smaller entrance further down the road, beyond #290, can accommodate a couple of cars only.
Since federal funds were used to cover part of the Paine Open Space purchase price, the following rules are in place:
• Open daily during daylight hours.
• No motor vehicles of any kind, including ATVs, are allowed except in designated parking areas and for maintenance and emergency use.
• No hunting or discharging of firearms.
• No fires permitted for any purpose.
• No smoking allowed.
• No cutting or felling of trees or removal of plants or plant material.
• Horses restricted to designated trails.
• No camping, swimming or picnicking.
• Dogs must be leashed.
Historic hay barn
A classic English hay barn on the Paine property was built in 1847. Today, only the stone foundation remains. Easton wanted to repair the barn and raised funds to do so, but since the building inspector wouldn’t let preservationists onto the roof for safety reasons, the restoration was never completed.
The barn was offered to the public, and John Baldwin of Canterbury was awarded the barn by Easton’s Board of Selectmen. Baldwin owns a home built in 1712, and he planned on rebuilding the Paine barn on the site of an old barn foundation is on his property.
Enjoyed by diverse groups
Many different groups have enjoyed the Paine Open Space over the years. In addition to visits by Easton residents, the property was used for a Sacred Heart University student film class project entitled, “Purdy’s Crossing” about the underground railroad.
The property was also used by Easton Woods and Fields (horse-riding group) for trail riding. Recently, the Easton Fire Department conducted a mock fire rescue at Paine Open Space.
Various Troop 66 Eagle Scout projects have been completed on the property. Anthony Battaglia and his team created a new trail that connected two existing trails. Dan Gonzalo and his team built and repaired several bridges. Other Scouts have helped with trail marking over the years.
Precious property
Over the years there have been several acts of vandalism at the Paine Open Space. Though all residents are encouraged to use this wonderful town asset, everyone who visits should remember that Paine is a town park, for the use by the townspeople. Each of us should safeguard it as we do our own backyards.
Ralph D. Paine Jr.
Ralph “Del” Delahaye Paine Jr. was born March 31, 1906, in New Jersey and died January 12, 1991. He was the oldest son of author and journalist Ralph Delahaye Paine Sr. and had two younger twin brothers. Ralph Paine attended Yale University, where he was a member of Skull and Bones and graduated in 1929.
Like some other Eastonites, Paine was a Wall Street securities analyst after college. He became the business editor for Time magazine in 1933.
In 1938, he was the personal assistant to publisher Henry Luce, the co-founder of Time. During World War II, Paine was in charge of The March of Time newsreel series and the European operations of Time Inc. publications.
Paine served as managing editor of Fortune from 1941 to 1953 and following the departure of Charles Douglas Jackson, he was publisher from 1953 to 1967. During his tenure, the magazine created its famous Fortune 500 list. Paine also served as publisher of Architectural Forum from 1954 to 1963 and House and Home from 1962 to 1963.
Over the period of 1936 to 1941 the Paine family acquired the eight parcels of land that was to become the Paine Open Space.
In 1947, Paine married Nancy White, who at the time was associate fashion editor of Good Housekeeping and later became the editor of Harper’s Bazaar.
At the time of his death, Paine was president and treasurer of the Vermont real estate holdings company Barton Mountain Corporation.
Conservation Commission and Inland Wetlands Agency
As the Inland Wetlands Agency, the commission enforces the provisions of Connecticut’s Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act. In this capacity, it reviews applications for regulated activities, conducts site visits and if appropriate, holds public hearings prior to approving or denying a permit.
The Conservation Commission is responsible for maintaining town-owned land designated as open space and also for planning future open space acquisitions. To that effect, it works closely with developers and conservation groups, recommending to the Planning and Zoning Commission specific areas to be acquired by the town or otherwise protected.
Recent maintenance activities at the Paine Open Space included replacing drainage pipes under several trails, trimming trees that have been damaged in storms and other general maintenance activities. Commission member Steve Corti has been doing most of the work along with help from a neighbor, Peter Smith. Depending on availability, Easton’s Highway Department has been lending a helpful hand as well.
Aspetuck Land Trust
The Aspetuck Land Trust is a non-profit Connecticut Corporation devoted to preserving open space and the natural resources of Easton, Fairfield, Weston and Westport for the benefit of the public. You can visit their website at
The Citizens for Easton Annual Meeting featuring guest speaker, Dan Cruson, drew a capacity crowd at the library on Wednesday night. More than 100 people showed up and stayed to question Cruson about how our local ancestors buried their dead–and their evolving religious beliefs about eternity. These beliefs were reflected in the creation of tombstones. Cruson showed a series of slides depicting remarkable written tributes and design elements in stone. His presentation was capped by a dessert buffet and lots of conversation.
The audience was spellbound by Dan Cruson’s presentation.
Pictured: Dan Cruson with two former students- Mother and Daughter, Cheryl Andrews Smolinsky JB class of 1987, and Nancy Andrews JB class of 1962.
Photo credit: Katie Henry.
Posted in Easton's history
Dan Cruson, celebrated historian, scholar, writer and teacher, will be the guest speaker at CFE’s annual meeting,Wednesday, May 18, at 7:30 p.m. at the Easton Public Library.
Author of “Redding and Easton,” as well as many historical explorations of Newtown and environs, Cruson will “show and tell” many historical oddities and facts about Easton’s cemeteries.
As he has noted, “I’m always looking for things that people might not know.”
To that end, his presentation will unearth local cemeteries and reveal how our 18th century forefathers lived and died. He’ll explore the origins and meanings of local grave markers and traditions about death and dying. The evening will include a slide show and question and answer session.
Cruson will also sell and sign books. Refreshments will be served.
It promises to be an evening of mystery and myth … And perhaps the legend of the White Lady will be explained.
Please RSVP to cfe@citizensforeaston.org
Posted in Easton's history, Preserving Easton
Celebrated historian, scholar, writer and teacher, Dan Cruson will be the guest speaker at Citizens for Easton’s annual meeting, Wednesday, May 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Easton Public Library. Dan is the author of Redding and Easton, as well as many historical explorations of Newtown and environs. At CFE’s annual celebration of Easton’s heritage, he will “show and tell” many historical oddities and facts about Easton’s cemeteries.
As Dan has noted, “I’m always looking for things that people might not know.” To that end, his presentation will unearth facts about local cemeteries and reveal how our 18th century forefathers lived and died. We’ll learn about the origins and meanings of local grave markers and traditions about death and dying. The evening will include a slide show and question and answer session. Dan will also sell and sign books. Come to meet and mingle with fellow CFE members and neighbors during this fascinating look below Easton’s surface into graves and buried secrets.
There will also be a dessert buffet. Please RSVP to cfe@citizensforeaston.org
Citizens For Easton 