By Sharon Challenger.
(Nov. 6, 2019) — There was a chill in the air as a light mist swirled around, leaving traces of dew upon everything it touched. As I pulled up near Haddam Elementary School Wednesday evening, I was amazed to see the number of cars that were pulling into the parking lot. It was not what I had expected. I wondered what the attendance would be, and now it was clear that the townspeople were eager to find out just what our future could be like. Despite a cool rainy evening, it was obvious that nothing was going to deter this eager crowd of around 160 residents.
When I stepped into the well-lit gym, I was surprised to see there was a line of people ahead of me as well as behind me. I thought to myself “This is really great!” It was as if something had finally shifted in the community. For months on end there had been quarrels over the closing of HES, and it had really made a lot of people in Haddam, Tylerville, Higganum and Haddam Neck feel confused and negative.
Generally, people are not comfortable with change, and most will suffer a great deal before accepting it. This is especially true when emotions run deep on a subject, such as closing a school that served multiple generations of residents. The idea that a building which was once filled with the sounds of children singing, playing, and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance for years, would now be empty, made many despondent. The other vacant buildings surrounding the school, only added to the fears of residents. “What will happen to our beloved town?” many are wondering. “Why is this happening?” and “What can we do about it?” are questions on everyone’s minds.
So how did the idea of the “charrettes” begin, and “What on earth is a “charrette”? Well, according to the dictionary, it is a meeting in which all stakeholders in a project attempt to resolve conflicts and map solutions. Sounds simple, right? Well, it was not a simple process, and it took many people working together in a coordinated effort, under the leadership and guidance of Haddam Town Planner, Bill Warner, to make it all happen.
Having success with similar events in Middletown, Middlefield, Andover, and Farmington, Bill suggested the Planning and Zoning Commission have a workshop to start to build consensus for the future of Higganum Center.
His next step was to secure grants with the State Historic Preservation Office. (His success in acquiring the funding was based on the success he had with the Farmington event last year.)
When the grant money was secured, he had to get town approval for the allocation of money to “match” the amount of funds the State approved. This involved acceptance by both the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Finance. With the approval of both boards, the plan was beginning to be set into motion.
The State Historic Preservation Office requires an RFP process to select a consultant firm, and several firms were encouraged to submit their proposals. Four groups submitted proposals, and a committee comprised of members from Planning & Zoning, Economic Development, and Save HES, selected Mullin Associates.
Once the funding was in place, and a consulting firm hired, a plan to set up the charrettes had to be put in place. It was decided that the best time to schedule the meetings would be prior to the election on November 5, 2019. The thinking behind this is that the report would provide the new administration with an outline of what the residents of Haddam would like to see happen in the Higganum Center.
The second charrette met on Saturday Nov 2, at 9:00 a.m. Ninety residents were in attendance. While not as many people showed up to participate as the first meeting, on Wednesday, we did see new faces who came to join the second meeting.
Excitement was once again in the air and people were eager to see what the process would be like. Participants from the first meeting on Wednesday evening, were told that the second meeting would provide us with an opportunity to work like town planners and designers. We could collaboratively redesign our town center. Each group was provided with 4 large maps of Higganum center, and supplies such as stickers, markers and tape. In the “design” process we could move buildings around, create bike paths, walking paths, new parking areas, new business, green spaces and housing.
After everyone settled in, we were treated to hot coffee and pastries, graciously provided by Brewed Awakening and Fork in the Road. We were then told about the plans for the morning. There were four tasks to work on, and our teams had a designated amount of time to complete our work.
The first task, “Plan 1” was for members at each table to work together to come up with a plan to “Maximize the Grand List”. Things to consider were, parking, where buildings might be relocated, new construction, protecting the soils dedicated for septic expansion, and additions to existing buildings. If new construction was desired, you had to show the location, and designate the parking that would be needed. If the building was to be multiple stories you had to indicate that as well.
“Plan 2” was a plan to determine “What do we need to have a lively and vibrant Higganum Center”?
Things to consider were the existing things that contribute to the center.
Questions we had to consider were, “What things would I want to have happen in Higganum Center to make sure I visit there?” and “what things would your kids or parents be interested in?” and “How do private uses and community amenities relate to one another?” What uses, amenities, events, and green features, that are NOT already there, also had to be considered.
“Plan 3” was all about “connections”. Things to consider were existing and needed focal points. This plan had to focus on what hiking paths, sidewalks, handicap access, bike paths could/should exist. What could we do to make our center more accessible and a place both residents and non-residents want to visit?
“Plan 4” Was all about “Our best ideas”. Each team had to put all their best ideas from the previous plans (Plan 1 – 3) onto the map. The entire team had to agree on everything that was previously decided upon in the final plan. Notes and labels had to be placed on the maps to assist the consultants so they can record all the thoughts people had.
For the final task, each group selected a “presenter” and a “speaker” to communicate their team’s plans for the future of Higganum Center. Many wonderful ideas came up as each group shared their visions of the future.
At the end of the meeting one thing was clear, everyone is eager to see some changes, and while we are not in total agreement, there are many things we do agree on.
On December 11, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. there will be a final meeting where the consultants will take all the participant ideas and maps and identify areas of consensus and develop final recommendations for implementation.
The charrettes may have not answered all our questions, but they proved that we are willing to come together with bold new ideas for the future of our town. When questions and concerns in a community reach a crescendo, we need to know our cries are not being ignored. Luckily in Haddam we have many wonderful people who work for the town, serve on Boards, Commissions, and Committees, and they are all listening to our concerns. Together, I am confident that we can work to make Higganum Center a place where residents and non-residents alike will enjoy spending time.
since we were not able to attend these meetings, I appreciate your recap and explanation of the process. Thank you.