Current town leaders are preserving rural heritage ignored by previous officials

To the Editor:

I attended the Town of New Scotland Planning Board meeting, at which Cynthia Elliott’s special-use application was discussed.  While I have no objections in principle regarding this application, I was surprised when “the big box” and open space were mentioned by some who spoke during the public-hearing portion of the meeting.

In contrast to the properties on routes 85 and 85A, which provide beautiful vistas along the major roads of the town and which are enjoyed by all, Ms. Elliott’s land is hidden from public view, as quoted by Ms. Elliott: “You can’t see it from anywhere unless you’re up there.”

The same speakers who had refused to support a moratorium 10 years ago now voiced concern for open space. I thought back to how they had been in positions to help rewrite our zoning code and had not, even after thousands of residents expressed concern. I realized how grateful I am that today we have a town board and planning board that don’t just pay lip service to the preservation of open space, but actively strive for it.

Against many odds, our present town officials saved the Hilton barn and then furthered that amazing accomplishment by creating, with much help from generous donors, a 14-acre park around it, again highlighting their commitment to the cause. This barn, adjacent to the rail trail, will be repurposed as a commercial space, and the park around it will attract visitors to rest, picnic, and visit the barn.

Furthermore, a committee, led by town board members Bill Hennessy and Adam Greenberg, which includes planning board members Dan Leinung and Tom Hart and zoning board members Lance Moore and me, has been meeting weekly for months to review, word-for-word, language submitted to overhaul our commercial district zoning so that it reflects the balance between open space and residential and commercial development that folks have expressed for years.

For those interested, minutes of what we discussed are on the town website for all to see. Go to: http://www.townofnewscotland.com/AgendaCenter.

This is action, not talk. I feel confident that the New Scotland government is working hard to preserve what previous officials so casually ignored: the rural heritage and beautiful future of our town.

Edie Abrams

New Scotland

Editor’s note: Edie Abrams is a member of the New Scotland Zoning Board of Appeals.

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