Hide the Water Tank, Council Member Tells Bethel

After the Danbury Planning Commission rejected for the fourth time a three-quarters-of-a-million gallon water tank overlooking Long Ridge Road, Danbury City Council Member Duane Perkins had some advice for Bethel.

"To date, Bethel still has not addressed in any clear or coherent way, why the tank cannot be moved to a location where it will not be seen from the roadway," Perkins said in a release following the Danbury Planning Commission vote.

Perkins said Bethel lost an appeal in Superior Court in August 2011 of this water tank. Danbury residents have opposed this highly-visible tank from the get-go, and you can hear and see them in this video shot and edited by Danbury Video's John Neumuller.

"The money Bethel is spending in court on legal fees would be better used on relocation of the tank," Perkins said.

Bethel First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker had harsh words for the Danbury Planning Commission in his letter to the editor, which was published Thursday on both Bethel Patch and Danbury Patch.

In a Planning Commission meeting held on Wednesday evening, the commission voted unanimously 5 to 0, to reject a Draft Stipulated Agreement for Special Exception & Site Plan Approval of Eureka Lake Water Tank for the Town of Bethel, 37 Long Ridge Road.

"To put a highly visible 750,000-gallon water tank on Danbury’s only scenic road shows disdain for everyone in that area," Perkins said. "I commend the commissioners on their diligence, fairness, and long-term vision to protect our neighborhoods."