The views stated here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the editors of this newspaper. We welcome supporting or opposing views on any published item. Received June 1, 2023.
When Haddam Elementary School (HES) was closed by our regional Board of Education, what happened was exactly what we feared: Higganum Center lost its largest employer as well as hundreds of parents and children coming into the Center. Since then, we’ve seen some beloved stores close, and the mix of businesses there become less family-friendly.
But there are some key and important things happening.
Higganum Cove is finally being developed as a town park. Usage of the Cove and access to the river has already greatly increased from past years, and this summer we should see the development of some nice facilities that can be enjoyed by everyone.
Scovil Hoe mill finally broke ground and could become an interesting, historical marketplace, bringing in jobs, businesses, and shoppers to our town.
With the town’s purchase of the Rossi property, we can perhaps finally see development there that will make it a more viable, attractive place.
But what about the old elementary school?
Yes, it’s still used… a little. The old playground had become weedy and is now gone. The Farmers Market, pop-up market and some community events happen there, but not too frequently. Kids still play at the basketball courts and families hike on Swan Hill (though the trails are sadly overgrown). But generally, it’s a shell of what it was, often unkempt and even an eyesore compared to the past.
On June 8, 2023, the town is hosting a “Time to Talk About the Future of HES” event at HES. An Open House and chance to mingle starts at 5:00 p.m., with a discussion at 6:30 p.m. This is just a small step in an important planning process and to get some of our voices heard.
My opinion on HES’s future:
Lacking a school in the building, the best use for HES is for civic and recreational functions. New England has a strong tradition of having a Town Hall on the town green, and we can achieve that here! If Town Hall, the Senior Center, Youth and Family services, Haddam Rec and other services were in HES, it would bring vitality and foot traffic back to the center.
That could all be co-located with outstanding town recreational services. The Shad Museum will be moved there! Bring back the playground! Encourage use of the basketball court. Develop pickle ball courts, hiking to Swan Hill and the cove, mountain biking, a skating rink and more!
The town also applied for a grant for senior housing in the back (more recent) part of the property. If the town does get this grant, they should carefully consider how this is done.
If we have our civic, key recreational and shopping all clustered around our town green, near the reservoir and dam and Higganum Cove, we might finally see the sort of development for businesses and housing along Route 81 and Rossi that we need to make Higganum, once again, a center of our town and lives.
Peter Baird, Higganum
