What Does the Future Hold for Castle Hill?

As the prospect of development on Newtown's Castle Hill property moves to the town's Water and Sewage Authority, advocates for its preservation say they feel they are "on the verge of a miracle" after a 15-day fundraising sprint.

The Newtown Forest Association says it has raised two-thirds of the asking price necessary to buy the Castle Hill property from its current owners, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport, according to Forest Association director Bob Eckenrode. The association teamed with Bridgeport-based water supply company Aquarion to propose a "public / private solution" they say would preserve the land. Aquarion has committed $400,000 to the project, according to CEO Charles Firlotte.

"This is not a foregone conclusion that this property be developed," Eckenrode told Patch. "I don't consider this a normal real estate transaction -- it's much more important. What happens there will change the character of historic Main Street forever."

The Newtown Forest Association has used their website to advocate for the site's preservation and take donations for the campaign.

Local developers GLT have proposed 136 single-family cluster houses for a section of the reportedly $3.6 million property, located at 20 and 60 Castle Hill Road. At present, GLT president George Trudell II was unavailable for comment. In February, Trudell told the Newtown Bee the developed property would offer "beautiful views" and leave about half the space undeveloped, including the space around nearby Taunton Lake, seen as environmentally sensitive.

One popular suggestion for an alternative: the proposed Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, named in memory of one young victim of the Dec. 14 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

The Newtown-based Animal Center is raising funds for the project, which they say would be "a place where all creatures, great and small, are rescued, respected and loved." The Animal Center is collaborating with the Newtown Forest Association in the effort, and says Catherine's parents have offered their support.

"We fell in love with the property the moment we saw it," said Jenny Hubbard, Catherine's mother, according to the Animal Center. "There is a quality to this land that fully reflects our little girl: quiet, serene, observant. Even the red roof reminds us of her beautiful red hair. It’s a very special place and the sanctuary would give it the respect and nurturing that it deserves."

The Newtown Water and Sewer Authority opened its first public hearing on the Castle Hill issue Thursday night at their headquarters on Commerce Road, but could not take action since the representatives from the Diocese of Bridgeport were not present. Zang said the project's developer had expressed his interest and asked the board to consider the proposal.

""The town has always told the WSA that ... we always want to encourage developers and not make it difficult for them. So we always say to any developer, come to us first."

The board is considering the feasibility of extending the sewer district to the property, which would be necessary for GLT to put homes on the property.

"This property is outside the current sewer district and outside the aquifer protection zone," said chair Richard Zang. "But it abuts our sewer line and we'd be able to hook it up easily. The operative phrase is 'in the best interests of the town.'"

As such, Zang said the process would involve several boards, including Planning and Zoning and, potentially, the Inland Wetlands Commission, before receiving final approval. The Water and Sewer Authority will continue discussion on the matter at its next meeting, scheduled for April 11.