Groton Open Space Association

East Haddam Voters Overwhelmingly Authorize Bonding For Open Space

EAST HADDAM — Voters have approved by a wide margin a $5 million bonding authorization for acquiring open space.

A referendum to that effect was endorsed Jan. 28, 2003, by a vote of 778 to 135, the Hartford Courant reported.

First Selectwoman Sue Merrow, former national director of the Sierra Club, said of the vote: “I would call it resounding. It’s pretty clear that open space is important to the people of East Haddam.” Proponents had called the measure critical to protecting substantial acreage for residential subdivisions.

The measure will allow the town to move quickly when open space becomes available to developers. East Haddam contains 20,000 undevelloped acres. It’s estimated that the $5 million, leveraged by funds from the state and conservation groups, could protect 1,500 to 2,000 acres, the Courant reported.