Groton Open Space Association

GOSA Seeks Donations of Time and Money

GROTON–Groton Open Space Association President Priscilla Pratt warned at GOSA’s annual meeting Oct. 14, 2004, that the town appears to be “aiming for full buildout” and that Groton’s natural resources are disappearing fast under heavy development pressures.

Mrs. Pratt appealed to citizens for more participation in meetings of land-use commissions and for financial aid.

“GOSA can’t go it alone,” she said. Earlier in the meeting, GOSA Treasurer Genevieve Cerf had noted that GOSA’s fees for lawyers totaled nearly $25,000 in the current year, for just two cases. Mrs. Pratt noted that GOSA goes to court “only as a last resort.”

Illustrating development pressures, Jim Furlong, a GOSA director, estimated that more than 1,400 dwelling units are under construction; approved or in the approval process; or are concretely planned by developers at present. He commented that the statistics on the housing “pipeline” merely verify “what we see all around us”–that wild tracts suddenly are becoming the focus of surveying and construction activity after lying dormant for generations.

Mrs. Pratt expressed concern about a proposed town zoning change that would make it easier for developers to get zoning approval to build high-density condos in the Town of Groton. The change would relax regulations that have been used to challenge the Four Winds “residential life care community” proposed for the Watrous property on Noank-Ledyard Road. GOSA has received legal advice that the proposed new zoning category of “Active Senior Housing,”–though nominally for “seniors”–could wind up with occupants who broadly match the general population in age. Mrs. Pratt said that zoning change proponents appear to believe that Active Senior Housing should be legalized for all areas currently zoned as industrial because of the difficulties Groton has had in attracting industry.

Reviewing current organization activities, Mrs. Pratt noted that GOSA is continuing its struggle to acquire the 75-acre Merritt property atop Fort Hill as open space. A long-running legal battle between GOSA and Ravenswood Construction LLC over which party has the valid contract to buy the land is expected to go to trial in the spring. In addition, GOSA is pursuing further its appeal of a Planning Commission decision to approve a 48-house subdivision for the property. GOSA has requested legal permission to appeal a Superior Court denial of GOSA’s challenge the Planning Commission’s approval of the development.

In the case of the Watrous property, GOSA has filed appeals of approvals of the Four Winds project by the Planning Commission, Zoning Commission and Inland Wetlands Agency. GOSA also has been named as a defendant, along with the town, in an appeal by Downes-Patterson Corp. against buffers imposed by the Inland Wetlands Agency in an effort to protect Great Brook from surface runoff and septic tank leakage resulting from a planned subdivision by the company. Great Brook is the main conduit of water between Groton Public Utilities’ upper and lower reservoir systems.

Noank lawyer William Kroll is representing the Merritt family pro bono in the family’s effort to sell its property to GOSA, Mrs. Pratt noted. She expressed GOSA’s appreciation for Mr. Kroll’s efforts, as well as for those of Attorneys Mark Kepple and Anne Hatfield, of Stonington, who are helping defend GOSA in the Great Brook case.

GOSA director Joan Smith argued strongly for protection of the Watrous property, noting that the property is host to two Class A streams, two outstandingly productive vernal pools and rare and sensitive bird and aquatic life. She said the proposed zoning change to allow Active Senior Housing could be used by the would-be Four Winds developer to justify a new plan in the event that GOSA’s zoning appeal of the current project is upheld.

Featured speaker of the evening meeting was Denise Poyer, a director of the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association, of Rhode Island. Ms. Poyer used a physical model to provide strikingly clear visual illustrations of normally hidden underground water movements that affect water quality of wells and streams.

The annual meeting re-elected Mrs. Pratt as president, Ms. Cerf as treasurer, and Lorraine Santangelo as secretary. Charles Kroll and Mr. Furlong were re-elected to three-year terms as directors.