To The Editor,
With the formation of the new Venuti Property Planning Subcommittee
to fully explore Town purchase of the Venuti property, I would like
to provide some perspective on the recent history of this project. I
am Chairman of the Town’s Open Space Committee, the group that
recommended bringing acquisition of the property to our Boards of
Selectmen and Finance, with the intent of bringing the opportunity
to a referendum.
The basis of this recommendation came from the Open Space Committee’s
Charter: to further the goals and objectives of the Town
Plan of Conservation and Development by actively working toward the
preservation or restoration of undeveloped, natural landscape within
the town of Killingworth. To accomplish this goal, our committee
established a list of criteria by which undeveloped parcels in town
could be objectively analyzed.
The list of 10 criteria follows: scenic resource; significant
historical or ecological resource; size; contiguous to existing open
space; recreational resource; part of existing or potential greenway;
threat of being developed; availability; existence of rare/endangered
species, and; availability of funding. Using both GIS mapping
software and the Open Space Committee’s own analysis, the Venuti
property was identified as the top acquisition priority for the Town,
fulfilling 8 of the 10 criteria.
With the acknowledgement and approval of the Board of Selectmen,
the Open Space Committee formally negotiated on behalf of the Town
with Michael Venuti on a purchase price. The 8.5 million price
was arrived at following analysis of two independently conducted
real estate appraisals, and is closer to the Town’s appraisal
figure than that of the Venuti’s.
While the economy has certainly impacted the decision-making regarding
acquisition of the property, a good-faith effort between the Town
and Venuti family brought forth a deal that was on the table. Unfortunately,
there is no longer a deal in place. It is hoped the new committee
can bring forth an opportunity in the future to vote on this acquisition
at a Town referendum. The Open Space Committee will play a
role with the new committee, and our group looks forward to working
cooperatively with our fellow Boards and Commissions to further explore
this project.
The 2000 US Census showed Middlesex as Connecticut’s fastest
growing county between 1990 – 2000. In that same period,
Killingworth was the fastest growing town in Middlesex. Town
acquisition of the Venuti property would provide passive and active
recreation opportunities, with potential for other land use (including
development) that can all be beneficial to our tax base. Only
by owning the property can the Town of Killingworth make its own
decisions as to the best and wisest use of the land.
Sincerely,
David Gumbart, Chairman
Killingworth
Open Space Committee