Red alert for Newtown
A proposal by Wharton Equity Partners, LLC is scheduled for review by Newtown’s Planning & Zoning Commission. It is just stunning that this proposal is for a 76-truck terminal and massive warehouse (contents undisclosed) near residential and environmentally sensitive areas in Newtown!
This proposal is deeply flawed, as it violates the basic principles of wetland protection, wildlife habitat preservation, forest and green space conservation, buffering neighborhoods from heavy traffic and pollution, and unrestrained development in residential areas — without any regard for the uniqueness and beauty of Newtown. These concerns were not only inadequately discussed by Newtown decision-makers based on two hearings I attended, but, to no one’s surprise, neglected by Wharton owing to self-interest, i.e profit and return for investors. Our solemn commitment to future generations of Newtown should be priority one — and not to far-away commercial interests.
Did this proposal receive appropriate review by the Inland Wetlands Commission? The answer is a resounding “no!” During these two meetings I did not hear detailed neutral assessments by outside experts with no clear conflict of interest.
There was no tough questioning of Wharton regarding environmental impact or a “worse case scenario.” There was a limited appreciation of the tenets of ecology or wetlands science. There was no determination of Wharton representatives’ expertise in environmental sciences or the corporation’s past record. There were few complete answers to probing questions posed by town residents. Plus, the affiliations and expertise of town representatives were not revealed. What was the apparent stance of town representatives at both hearings? There were instances of praise for Wharton’s presentation. There was a disquieting deference to corporate “experts.” And, there were indications of a slant toward Wharton’s interests and property owner(s) anxious to unload wetlands-adjacent real-estate.
The Wharton proposal is not simply flawed, it has been inadequately reviewed and evaluated thus far. It’s time for the leadership of Newtown and its residents to admit that it is — and sadly could be — a serious mistake. Red Alert for Newtown!