By Kerri Williams
WESTPORT – The Long Lots School Building Committee has said it will plant an additional buffer of evergreen trees in response to complaints from a neighbor that over-clearing took place during recent installation of a construction road for the building project.
Fran and Julianne Mulvey, of 1 Hyde Lane, sent a letter to the Planning and Zoning Commission this week to “express our profound anger and disappointment regarding the demolition that has recently occurred at the LLSBC site.”
The Mulvey’s story was originally reported in 06880.
The Mulveys said that clearing took place between the main construction road and their front yard, in some cases within as little as 15 feet of their property line. They added that the demolition occurred without a town representative on hand to speak with and despite “clearly identified flags at 25 feet that were meant to preserve the buffer.”
“We were explicitly assured by the LLSBC that this area would remain as undisturbed as possible while still allowing access to the site,” the letter states.
In response, the committee issued a statement that additional vegetation beyond what was intended was mistakenly removed by the contractor “despite the extensive planning and multiple site visits conducted to review the area.”
“It was a mistake that should not have happened,” the committee responded. “This issue has been reviewed extensively with all involved to ensure mistakes like this are not repeated.”
As a remedy, the committee has said it will plant a “large evergreen buffer” in the area within the next 1-2 weeks. The buffer will be in addition to similar plantings planned for the site in the future.
The proposed remediation, with an additional row of evergreen trees, may make for an improved buffer when the project is completed, according to the committee.
“Upon project completion, the landscape buffer between the school property and the residence closest to the east side of the campus will be enhanced over the previous mix of unkept trees and the initial proposed single layer of evergreens,” the statement reads.
I’ll reiterate my comments here on this matter.
I’m shocked!” said no one.
This was predicted a thousand-fold, and more shocking moments to come. The gardens were first to feel the heat of this scorched earth project. The neighboring property owners are now in the line of sight.
I am truly sorry for the Mulvey’s predicament. I sat next to Julieanne at several meetings and was impressed with her thoughtful, optimistic and friendly demeanor even as she made clear her property, home life, and personal sanctuary were at risk.
The appointed Members of the LLS BUILDING COMMITTEE have been dishonest, deceptive, self interested and self serving from Day One. They went beyond their mission to build a school, destroying citizen trust and their own credibility in the process. They own this, along with the entire regrettable and disastrous process they led.
Let’s round up the usual suspects. Say their names: Don O’Day, Jay Keenan, Sri Puttagunta, who are currently running for public office. Liz Heyer, now a member of Board of Finance. And BOF chairman Lee Caney, Chief funding bulldozer, is Democratic Party turncoat who is now endorsing the Republican ticket, and who was shamelessly predisposed to his own ideas of grandeur imposing a 4% tax increase behind closed doors.
O’Day’s frequent campaign bluster includes an oft repeated reference to a meeting “with gardeners” on October 16, 2023. I WAS THERE. Read about it here:
https://open.substack.com/pub/tonisimonetti/p/i-was-there-don?r=1dhpe&utm_medium=ios