17 people responded to the poll over the week that it ran.
41% felt that Wallingford should fund the remainder of the work at a cost of $756,000 to build the walking loop that would connect the senior center to the Quinnipiac River Linear Trail.
23% felt that we should not.
23% felt that we should but after 2011 when the economy recovers.
11% felt that what we have already is nice enough and no further additions should be done to the trail.
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On December 15, 2009, by a divided vote, the Town Council voted to accept a $200,000 grant to help defray the expense of constructing a boardwalk from the Senior Center to the Community Lake parking lot. To complete the project, the Town will have to spend about $756,000 in local funds, in addition to the grant.
ReplyDeleteThe issue, therefore, was whether it is a good idea to spend this additional money, this next fiscal year, the following year, or ever.
Folks, including those at the Senior Center, who want to experience a boardwalk hike are able to drive to the Community Lake parking lot and use the main, north-south linear trail which will soon extend all the way to Fireworks Island. Because the Council accepted the grant, however, and because the Mayor is committed to the project, it is inevitable that at some point we will build the boardwalk be faced with a local appropriation of about $756,000.
After the boardwalk is built, people will not have to make that short drive from the Senior Center to Community Lake. That is the benefit.
In good times, it is a questionable luxury to spend so much on an amenity that benefits such a small portion of the general public in such a minor way. In bad times, it is an extravagance that cannot be justified.
I am also concerned about the environmental impact. The boardwalk will be built on top of an ecologically sensitive area. The swamp and shore area may provide shelter and feeding grounds for waterfowl and other small animals. Will they be driven out by the boardwalk and the human activity it will bring? Will nesting areas be disturbed by this human incursion? Sometimes it is better to preserve an area by not going into it, so everybody can view the wildlife from a respectful distance.
That is why I voted no.
Mike Brodinsky