As a resident of our cherished neighborhood on Ayrshire Drive, near Bonnie Vu Lane in New Milford, Connecticut, I am deeply concerned about the proposed Evergreen Estates development and its potential impact on our community and our surrounding wetlands.

This development threatens not only our property values, but also the very environment we live in and depend on.

The construction of Evergreen Estates could devastate our local ecosystem, jeopardize our water supply and local soils, and therefore harm our health. This would be a critical issue for all of us, notably for property owners on Bonnie Vu, Dairy Hill, Ayrshire Drive, and Ridge Road, and all other property owners in the surrounding area. 

The construction may lead to pollutants entering the water table, affecting the well water that many households rely on. Furthermore, the environmental footprint from the construction runoff could cause irreversible damage to our groundwater and soil quality, putting our community's health at risk. The area's rich ecosystem, crucial for biodiversity and local wildlife, would be severely disrupted.

Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems on Earth, supporting biodiversity and providing essential services for human well-being, despite being threatened globally. They are essential for maintaining:

 

Water Quality: they act as natural filters, trapping sediments and pollutants, improving water quality for groundwater and rivers. 

 

Flood Control & Storm Protection: Absorb and slowly release excess water from storms and floods, reducing downstream damage.

 

Wildlife Habitat: Provide critical shelter, food, and breeding grounds for countless species, including a third of all threatened and endangered species and migratory birds. 

 

Water Supply: Store water and release it during dry seasons, helping to maintain streamflow and recharge groundwater. 

 

Carbon Storage: Store significant amounts of carbon, playing a role in climate regulation. 

 

Moreover, this development raises concerns about increased fire risks. Any construction that disturbs the land increases the risk of wildfires, but what is more concerning is that on November 6th 2025, the board waived all fire safety requirements for this development, which in turn jeopardizes our properties. (Meaning, there will be no accountability to ensure the houses are built with fire safety protocol in mind. If one house, let alone an entire development is built without taking these necessary precautions, it puts all the surrounding houses at risk.)

In addition to all this, a traffic study on the influx of cars in the neighborhood was never completed, nor were any concrete documents on fire engines and fire emergency equipment coming through the community for this property completed or presented.

There is also an easement proposed at the end of the property, which gives reference that they're looking to unite both parcels at a later date, bypassing the requirements at this stage.

We stand strongly against the damage to our roads and the already growing traffic congestion, noise pollution, environmental damage, and overall disruption, which would continue over the years while this project is underway.

We urge local authorities to consider the long-term consequences of this development and to prioritize the well-being and safety of current residents and the environment.

Instead of moving forward with Evergreen Estates, we must protect the future of our homes, our property values, our water, the land itself, the animals we share it with, and our community's values.

I am calling on all fellow residents, as well as local and non-local supporters of environmental preservation to sign this petition.

Together, we can send a strong message to the developers and decision-makers that the well-being of our community and the preservation of our environment must come first.

We urge Mayor Pete Bass, Michael Crespan, from the New Milford Planning Commission, and Catherine Setterlin, Chair of Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission into immediate action to stop the project, and protect our neighborhood and water table.

Please, stand with us and help stop Evergreen Estates from endangering our homes and our environment.

Sincerely,

Kelsey Pietropaolo