Letter: “Let Voters Beware” on Unchecked Development and Town Spending

To the editor (and all Woodbridge neighbors),

“Caveat emptor!” According to the dictionary: “let the buyer beware.”

As local elections loom, it’s a clarion call to safeguard the physical attributes of our town at a crossroads; we could lose forever what each campaign team calls, “the largest unprotected parcel in Woodbridge.”

With plans in Washington finalized to allow oil and gas drilling in the pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, it seems imperative locally to preserve the natural features, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities we can, specifically at the CCW.

Projected revenue for the Democrats’ proposed CCW development doesn’t include unassigned expenses for clubhouse demolition, water main expansion, gas line extension, sewer hook-ups, and other site-preparation costs. It doesn’t mention costs of additional police patrols, ambulance and fire calls, snow plowing, and road improvements.

The Democrats’ proposal ignores intangible costs like traffic congestion and demand for untold, increased Town and educational services. Another timely finance phrase comes to mind: “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

A Democratic campaign mailer two years ago promised they would ‘find savings,’ yet this year’s budget has the largest increase in years. Now the same group risks making the town even more costly to operate.

In the 29 years I’ve lived here no local issue has divided residents more sharply; a CCW development project would only prolong the rancor. The parcel is mostly paid for by now –it’s common sense to perpetuate its pristine place as open space.

On Fountain Street, a high-rise, high-density apartment building is proposed, with an ominous, far-reaching zoning change already adopted to allow it. As I read it, the current administration distanced itself from the process but not the high-density impact.

On November 4, let voters beware: unchecked development will bring unwanted, untenable costs, and our town’s small-town heritage hangs in the balance.

— Laurence Grotheer

The writer served four years on the Board of Finance, five years on the Board of Selectmen, and was Chair of the Woodbridge Democratic Town Committee twice, for several years each time. He is no longer a WDTC member.