Previously we had written:

"To help the public elect candidates to Town Council who will wisely and sensitively balance the pressures of development against the need to protect the environment and historic beauty of Wethersfield, the Wethersfield Land Coalition" developed the accompanying questionnaire.

The questionnaire was sent to each of the candidates running for local office. Their prompt and complete responses were encouraged so that the public would know where they stand on the issues raised upon later, pre-election publication of those responses here and in other media.

The entire questionnaire were published here to assist candidates in obtaining these questions if they were not otherwise received. A downloadable [Right-click; save link as] text file was/is provided for thoughtful answers, an email return, and facilitated publication.

www.wethersfield.net

Wethesfield Land Coalition's
"CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE"
Fall, 2001

Introduction:

To help the public elect candidates to Town Council who will wisely and sensitively balance the pressures of development against the need to protect the environment and historic beauty of Wethersfield, the Wethersfield Land Coalition has developed the following questionnaire. Please provide complete answers to the questions, and use additional sheets if necessary. The questionnaire and your responses will be supplied to the local media and posted on the www.wethersfield.net website.The deadline for responding is Friday, October 12, 2001.

1. Voters in many central Connecticut communities have overwhelmingly supported referenda to fund open space acquisition in their communities. Would you support a referendum to fund Wethersfield's land acquisition funds so that the Town will have resources available to enable it to take advantage of opportunities as they arise?

If so, what size referendum would you be willing to support and when would you like to see it put on the ballot?

2. Many towns across the state have taken advantage of the State of Connecticut's statutory matching grant programs for open space and farmland acquisition. Wethersfield, however, has not. Would you support the town's participation in these programs?

If so, what would you do to take advantage of these programs?

What are your thoughts about purchasing land for passive recreation use or for habitat preservation as opposed to active recreation?

3. In 1998, Wethersfield voters resoundingly defeated a proposal to commercially develop that portion of the Connecticut River flood plain commonly referred to as the "Interchange Zone." Do you support the preservation of this area as open space/farmland?

If so, what efforts would you take to insure the area's preservation?

4. The Town is currently developing a plan to make the best use of Mill Woods Park. The Park contains a forest that is unique to Wethersfield. Do you agree that any future development of the park should protect all of the existing forest?

5. The Town owns access to and maintains control over the 1856 Reservoir, a very diverse pond and wetland. The access roads and the pond itself require maintenance and protection. For example, the Reservoir has a significant algae problem. What should be done about this ecosystem that, if properly maintained, could provide recreation, wildlife habitat and enjoyment for residents?

What are your thoughts and/or plans to rehabilitate other ponds in town in the near future? ( e.g., Spring Street Pond, Upper Mill Woods Pond and Cloverdale Pond )

6. Do you support funding for additional phases of the Conservation Commission's plan for Heritage Way, a multi-use path connecting open spaces within Wethersfield, in addition to the first phase, which has already been funded?

7. The area of town known as Pyquag Village is dotted with areas dedicated to open space. These areas are owned by the Pyquag Village Association, which is defunct and many years in arrears on the taxes for these parcels. What do you think should be done to allow for the continued maintenance and protection of these parcels as open space?

8. What plan do you support to address the problem of the "combined sewer overflows" into Wethersfield Cove?

Will this plan completely eliminate the problem of combined sewer overflows by taking the Cove "out of the loop?"

Do you think that Wethersfield Cove should eventually serve as a resource for recreation, including fishing and swimming? If so, what should the Town do to help accomplish this goal?

Closing:

Thank you for taking the time to respond to these questions.

Again, the deadline for responding is Friday, October 12, 2001. Please return the completed questionnaires to:

Wethersfield Land Coalition

c/o Lee Kuckro
471 Main Street
Wethersfield, CT 06109

In the alternative, for a quicker response, you may download the following [Right-click; save link as] text file of the above questions, complete it, and email your responses to mcholewa@snet.net

Copies of this questionaire have also been sent to:
Wethersfield Life
Hartford Courant
New Britain Herald