Letter: Selectman Candidate Vouches For Her Work on Open Space Efforts

The following letter to the editor was submitted by Marianne Corona, candidate for first selectman in Middlefield.

Much of what is smart growth in Middlefield/Rockfall is the result of efforts from folks like me. I am directly responsible for generating the necessary support for the town’s purchase of the Strickland Farm with the beautiful open space along Cherry Hill Road. The town’s purchase of this property along with some additional property resulted in the development of our industrial parks, our former land fill site, now the DMIAAB recycling center, and the “open space.”

This “open space,” is presently land leased to the Durham Fair Association which in turn is used to support farming allowing the Greenbackers Farm to produce much needed hay and it is used annually for Durham Fair parking. Middlefield receives an annual lease payment from the Durham Fair Association of $13,700 for the use of this open space. Additionally, almost all of Middlefield/Rockfall nonprofit organizations, including political parties, raise the bulk of the annual needs for funding at the Durham Fair.

Many new residents have chosen to build or buy homes near or around our Strickland Farm open space. These homes have added to our tax rolls and many of these folks actively participate and add their skills to town volunteer organizations.

In addition to the purchase the Strickland Farm, I have taken leadership roles in support for other town land purchases which include a town sand bank, land suitable for commercial development, the King Property and the very large addition of property which allowed Peckham Park to more than double its size, acreage along the Coginchaug river to allow fishing enthusiasts and others to access the east side of the river. Recently I promoted a cooperative effort with Middletown and Middlefield/Rockfall for the purchase of the development rights along the Coginchaug river from the Merriam Christmas Tree Farm, this was done to promote agriculture and to enhance the Coginchaug watershed protection. The Merriam property is split between the towns of Middlefield and Middletown, each community bought the development rights from their portion of the property. Following a family tradition the Merriam family has agreed to allow reasonable access from the property to the Coginchaug River along with continued access for haying on an adjoining property.

After providing leadership for these projects, and others over the past 40 plus years, and working with residents who joined the efforts to support these worthwhile endeavors the results are much of what you see as you drive around Middlefield/Rockfall. This is because of the foresight and vision of folks who saw open space and town land purchase as a gift to be left for those who would come after us. After over 40 years of attending hundreds of meetings, often the only citizen present, I am running for First Selectman as an independent candidate to continue working for Our Town.

Marianne Corona
Independent candidate (unaffiliated) for Middlefield First Selectman
Nov. 5, 2013

Click here to visit Marianne Corona's Facebook page.