Letter: Concerns Raised Over Timing of Fountain Street Decision

To the editor,

At the last Board of Selectmen meeting, I made a prediction that the Town Planning and Zoning Commission (TPZ) would reject the Fountain Street project at their October 21 meeting as was scheduled for a vote. Of course, this was totally unexpected since their actions of changing our zoning laws in favor of the developer and then refusing to reverse them despite the objections of so many of our residents, made it obvious they were in favor of it.

Once again as many of us arrived at the meeting we were informed that a vote would not be taken. This is typical TPZ tactics, and it is deeply disturbing that it comes less than two weeks prior to our town election. Even half of the TPZ members were visibly upset with the last-minute decision. As one member said, “it smells,” referring to the decision and the timing. One must wonder who is calling the shots. Certainly not the TPZ. It all reeks of back door manipulation as the election nears. Disgraceful.

Woodbridge voters are extremely intelligent, and I certainly hope they see through this confusing delay of the voting process as it pertains to the most controversial project in our town’s recent history. The Democratic Town Committee and First Selectman Mica Cardozo have clearly stated that they are proponents of providing diverse housing options in Woodbridge. Fountain Street is the start of that promise. Two more years of the DTC and Cardozo could give you a Woodbridge you might not recognize. Please think carefully about your vote and decide if you are willing to risk the possibility of high-density housing in our residential zones.

Matthew T. Giglietti

The writer was a member of the Woodbridge Board of Finance from July 1986 to December 2023 where he served as Chairman for 35 years (1988–2023).