Plans for community garden upset folks

Shelton, Conn. (WTNH) - A large plot of land that was originally the Clappick Family farm is now town property in the Long Hill area of Shelton. The idea that this could be turned into a community garden has neighbors on Longview Road very upset.

"I have faith in gardeners, you know, I feel gardeners are good people," Carol Dane said, but she said the plan has gone from 43 plots to now at least 60 at the end of a small residential road with a quiet cul-de-sac as an entrance.

"I don't know how the volume of traffic is going to be handled here," Dane said. "I don't know if there's been a traffic study to see, you know, the volume of people that are gonna be coming in here.

Up and down the street there are red balloons and sign after sign which read "No Garden, No Access" and "Plant Your Access Somewhere Else."

Barbara Murzin has lived here 47 years and says part of the outrage is that residents weren't involved or even informed of this.

"They've just thrown it at us," Murzin said. "They've never really, you know, discussed it."

There are questions about the logistics. "There's no water in there," Murzin said. "Water is right up to the end of the street."

Other questions involve what the hours would be and the fencing needed. They say once this gate opens who knows what will happen. Folks here appear totally united against the garden, though they say, really, it's just the access. If cars could go around this route it would certainly sow the seeds of goodwill towards this garden.

They were supposed to be looking into bringing a road from Long Hill Avenue up through here, which would be a lot better," Murzin said.

There is a committee meeting tonight at 7 o'clock. Folks from the Long Hill area plan to show up in full force and demand some answers.

Calls from News Channel 8 to the mayor's office were not returned.