Taxes, taxes, taxes...

Did anyone hear that loud noise last night?  It was the " other Hekemian shoe dropping ". Last night at the Zoning Board hearing, we learned that at least one intersection will need left turning lanes, specifically, Madison and River Road , at CVS . Property will be take from residents to widen the road, trees will be cut down and the light poles replaced. All to handle the increase in traffic volume anticipated by the proposed Shop Rite. All taking place at the high school where the danger to kids is the greatest. The cost , approximately $ 1,200,000.00. The developer's star attorney stated that they are only responsible for 7% of the cost or $ 84,000. The balance of the $1,116,000.00 will be paid by the tax payers . All to approve this unwanted development. And guess what, there are two other intersections that will need improvement, River Rd and Main St and Madison Ave and Main St. Add another $ 2,000,000 to the tax bill,  which will require New Milford to BORROW the money. Great. Suddenly the $ 3,000,000 price tag to buy the property , retain the open space, get the field we wanted , parking for the high school and make some progress to curb the flooding doesnt't seem high. The alternative , we spend the $3 million for traffic control for a commercial development in a residential zone that no one really wants . We don't place the high school students in any additional dangerous traffic, it is already dangerous enough. We don't ruin the north end of town with traffic, depress property values further and pollute our air with truck fumes.
We needed an administration with the vision to seize the opportunity when the riverkeeper offered a million dollars as a down payment for the property. We need an administration with the vision and the desire to make things happen. Action NOT reaction. The couple of thousands in taxes from this development will cost the residents millions.