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 30, 2024.
For decades Haddam residents have been anxious to see positive development of Higganum Center that would bring life and economic activity to this area of our town. The town voted to purchase the Rossi property and the former Haddam Elementary School so that the town would be in control of their development. There have been numerous meetings to elicit ideas from the public about what people would like to see included when these properties are eventually developed.
During the charrettes in 2019 hundreds of people wrote down what they would like to see happen in Higganum. The town’s Plan of Conservation and Development has its set of goals for this area and other meetings concentrated on what to do with HES specifically. Needless to say there was no shortage of ideas.
Earlier this year the town had a proposal for the development of the Rossi property from Higganum Village, LLC (John Collins and Wayne Rand) that included a $1.5 million grant from the state for environmental cleanup and from the developer a proposal including 43 one-bedroom housing units, 40,000 sq. ft. of flex commercial space and converting the existing office building into a restaurant.
The proposal incorporated ideas from the charrettes and other meetings seeking public input and was consistent with Haddam’s POCD. It was allowed by Haddam’s zoning regulations and subject to review by Haddam’s Planning and Zoning Commission. After a three-hour public hearing on the proposal on February 24, 2024, the proposal was defeated by more than a 2-1 majority at the referendum on March 5, 2024. It seemed that many of the same people who had contributed their ideas over the years at various public meetings in support of improving Higganum Center went on Facebook and through word of mouth to debunk the proposal. Everyone found something to object to in the Rossi proposal.
We now have a state grant worth $4.5 million and a proposal from a local developer for the re-development of HES that includes thirty-six affordable housing units for seniors, a new senior center and a new community center, the relocation of the offices of the Registrars of Voters and the Haddam State Troopers. Once again these are all things that people have expressed support for at public informational sessions. This will be soon brought before another town referendum. We shall see if, once again, “perfect” will be the enemy of “good.”
Edward Munster, Haddam
