Groton Open Space Association

Councilor Wright’s proposals to save open space, farms sent back for study

GROTON–Town Councilor Elissa Wright’s proposals to establish funds to help save some of Groton’s open space and remaining farmland were turned back, at least temporarily, by a 5-4 vote of the Town Council Sept. 9, 2003.

Voting against the proposal on open space were Mayor Frank O’Beirne Jr., and Councilors Dolores E. Hauber, Catherine Kolnaski, Jackie Massett and Jeffery Vary. Voting in favor were Councilors Wright, Thomas J. Skrmetti, John C. Wirzbicki and Harry A. Watson. Town Manager Mark Oefinger, who is not a member of the council, spoke in favor of the open space measure.

Mayor O’Beirne expressed doubt about dedicating money to a specific fund for fear of reducing the town’s financial flexibility. Ms. Hauber said that while her vote against the open space measure was not to be interpreted as a vote against open space, her priority now was on getting passage of a school rebuilding plan. Ms. Massett dismissed open space as “not even icing on the cake but the decoration that goes on top of the icing…” in current circumstances, according to The Day’s account of the meeting. Ms. Kolnaski said she wanted the definition of open space broadened to include active recreational space.

The measures are to be sent to the Environment and Recreation Committee for reformulation, though backers expressed questions about what changes would make the concept acceptable.

The farmland proposal wasn’t voted on but was sent back to committee for possible combination with the open space idea.