Selectmen of the Town of Goshen:

The townspeople of Goshen CT formally request that you take the following actions, to support First Responders (Fire Department), and protect open space, wildlife, and critical watershed resources.

1.     Do NOT combine Goshen Fire Department storage with Public Works storage. Keep the Firehouse & Public Works Buildings Separate! FIRE & EMS need a dedicated, upgraded, organized space with all the life-saving equipment they need in one spot with an expansion at the existing firehouse. Use the existing firehouse property for that expansion. 

2.     Do NOT build on 190 Sharon Turnpike. Protect this land as open space in perpetuity. This land contains and abuts critical wetland and watershed resources, which aid in groundwater recharge, filter sediments and pollutants, reduce the risk of flooding and provide critical wildlife habitat. This land abuts Land Trust property and according to the Town of Goshen Open Space Plan (approved by the Planning & Zoning Commission), this land is of greatest priority for the following reasons: 

A.  This land abuts protected land (Goshen Land Trust)

B.  This land is located along stream corridors, particularly West Branch of Bantam River

C.  This land is watershed land.

D. The property contains and abuts wetlands, some of which will be filled and destroyed if the site is developed. This site is identified on CT Natural Diversity Database as possible endangered species habitat.

E.  This land has potential historic and cultural importance.

F.  This land has scenic vistas.

G. This land is part of a large un-fragmented block of land. 

H. This land is now Town owned land.

I.  This land has potential for passive recreation and/or agricultural use. 

Therefore, it is in the best interest of the Town of Goshen and its residents to protect this land as open space in perpetuity. 

3.     Locate the public works building where there is already public works storage and where we do not have to fill in wetlands, pollute watercourses, destroy endangered species habitat, negatively impact the livelihoods of families in our community, spend extra taxpayer dollars, or create an industrial eyesore.

 

SAY NO TO A COMBINED INDUSTRIAL-SIZED BUILDING THAT WILL DESTROY CRITICAL WETLANDS, COMPROMISE FARMLAND, DESTROY HABITAT & CREATE CONFLICTS BETWEEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS. PROTECT THIS LAND AS OPEN SPACE & SUPPORT OUR FIRST RESPONDERS!

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