Senator Needleman, Please Help our Higganum Village
The views stated here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect opinions of others associated with the production of this online newspaper or Haddam News, the print edition.
A recent Letter to the Editor in this newspaper (2.14.19), used 334 words advising you what was wrong with your Utilities Regulation, and what Not to vote for. This Letter will spend all 400 allowable words describing how the Senator’s bill for a Central CT Loop Trail (described in Haddam-KillingworthNow.com, 2.15.19) could help Higganum tremendously.
First, we need help. Our school district (RSD17) is consolidating our Haddam Elementary School (HES) into another – Burr Elementary, because of ever-declining student population. The population direction is clear, as evidenced by CtData.org, ages 5-9, Haddam and Killingworth. HES sits right at the major intersection of Higganum, next to our locally owned shops. Closing the school leaves a big hole in our community, so we need something great to replace it. Here are five possible building blocks, taken together, to help save Higganum, independent of the school building itself.
- re-inventing the historical Scovil Hoe Buildings;
- protection for Swan Hill’s 145 acres of preserve, which is attached to HES;
- Essex Steam Train pushing on in to Higganum, with bike racks;
- Rails-with-Trails from Higganum to Middletown, via the Valley Railroad scenic recreational corridor, connecting to the Central CT Loop Trail; and,
- a public restroom in Higganum like in Essex’s town center.
Notes: The Scovil Hoe Buildings could be transformed into indoor ice skating, and indoor pickle ball courts; both for year-round use by the public, by the schools, and by H-K Recreation programs. There is plenty of commercial and residential space available within Higganum and Haddam without forever losing to development 145 acres of Swan Hill’s historical park preserve. The Essex Steam Train could bring passengers & visitors to Higganum, along with associated attention and business growth. The Rails-with-Trails from Higganum on to Middletown would provide a spectacular tie-in with the other trails, for young people, families, older folks, sports enthusiasts, and tourists. With all the people traffic into, and within, Higganum, we will need a Public Restroom facility for a comfortable break. All the above is consistent with Haddam’s 2018 POCD:
retain rural character & charm; keep our environment green and beautiful; and support economic development that leads to vibrant walkable/livable villages.
Thank you in advance for all the ways you could help with the above.
Respectfully, Maurice D. Adams *
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* Maurice Adams is a contributing editor for Haddam-KillingworthNow.com
