P.O. Box 373
Middletown, CT 06457
Promoting responsible development of our city since 1981
WestfieldResidents@gmail.com
Legislative Intent
- NO ZONING OVERSIGHT: The army is exempt from Middletown’s zoning ordinances and may develop the property in any manner they see fit. The Army has stated they will submit their plans to Middletown Planning and Zoning Commission only as “a courtesy.” Todd Hornback, a spokesman for the Army Corps of Engineers said that the Army Base design and construction is exempt from local planning, zoning, and building permit processes. How many developers can put up a two story building the size of two Walmarts, and do so without ANY city permitting processes?
The Boardman Lane site directly contradicts the intent
of city and federal legislation
- BRAC LEGISLATIVE LANGUAGE: The relocation of the base on Middletown hinges on two words; “IF” and “SUITABLE” – the language states, “the base will be located in Middletown IF THE ARMY IS ABLE TO ACQUIRE LAND SUITABLE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FACILITIES." This language does NOT require the Army to build a military base in Middletown, it only requires it to determine if there is suitable land. The Middletown Council has passed one resolution that effectively eliminates the Boardman Lane property, yet the Army disregards this strong statement.
- HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF CARS AND HEAVY TRUCKS: Boardman, Bell, Saw Mill, and Atkins all have posted town signs that read, "NO THRU TRUCKS." These signs were placed by the city to indicate that these streets are inappropriate for heavy traffic. Now we’re thinking about allowing hundreds and hundreds of cars, trucks and heavy military equipment to travel down these country roads? What was the thought process of installing those signs in the first place? Our city police department will not be reviewing any traffic study.
- NO INLAND WETLANDS OVERSIGHT: The Army’s position is that they are exempt.
- THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS HAS MISREAD THE BRAC 2005 REPORT. The army states that the Office of the Secretary of Defense gave them a legal opinion regarding the BRAC2005 language that mandated a base be built in Ayer, MA. They interpret this opinion to mean that the BRAC2005 languages gives them no choice regarding Middletown as the site for the base. However, the BRAC 2005 language regarding Ayer is very different from the BRAC 2005 language regarding Middletown. The entire BRAC 2005 report is available here (9MB file). Nowhere in the Ayer paragraph does it say, "...if the army is able to acquire land suitable for the construction of the facilities." Here is a side by side comparison of the language for Ayer and for Middletown.