Letter to the Editor: Vote in the Primary and Support the Parmelee Farm in Killingworth

One of the targets of the so-called “Better Choice” group is the Parmelee Farm claiming that it is a drain on Town finances and not available to the public. Neither of these are true. Since the purchase of the 130 acre property in 2000, almost all of the funding for the improvements and restoration of the Farm have come from State grants and private and volunteer organizations. The Town was awarded a Historic Preservation Technical Assistance Grant from the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation to conduct a feasibility study of the farm. The farm recently received a $150,000 grant under the Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP). The farm has also received significant financial assistance from the Killingworth Lions Club, the Killingworth Foundation, and the Killingworth Historical Society. The Selectpersons have been very supportive of the Farm but have not had to make significant financial commitments.

The Parmelee Farm is a historical treasure that will be preserved as an example of nineteenth century agriculture in Killingworth. Preservation of the old homes contributes to the historical and rural residential character of Killingworth. The Parmelee farm is available to all the residents of Killingworth. It is being used increasingly for town-wide activities including the Community Gardens, Killingworth Land Trust hiking trails, and events such as a stone wall workshop and most recently an animal adoption clinic. It can be expected that many more town and educational activities will be held there once the Pine Orchard School is re-erected and the house is restored by the Historical Society and opened to the public. It is also planned to restore the pole barn as a pavilion and the stone barn.

It is very important that voters who may be less likely to vote in primaries turn out for this primary and vote for candidates endorsed by the Town Committees. In a primary, if the turnout is low, a few dissidents can win and have a negative effect on town governance. The Committees have interviewed candidates and endorsed those with a history of experience and dedicated service to the town. It is essential that we retain these responsible persons if we wish to maintain and improve the positive aspects in Killingworth such as the Parmelee Farm. Vote in the primary on Tuesday September 13 for the party-endorsed candidates to preserve Killingworth!

Thomas L Lentz
Municipal Historian
Candidate for re-election to Planning and Zoning Commission