Politics & Government

Land Swap Opponents March on Market

Members of the anti-swap group sought an impromptu audience Friday afternoon with local candidates.

Members of Citizens for the Protection of Public Land marched on the Higganum Farmers Market late Friday afternoon, seeking an audience with candidates running for local office and handing out literature to them on why the group opposes the swap of 17 acres near the Connecticut River.

Chanting “Stop the Swap,” and “Don’t be Had,” about 30 members of the group sought to convey their message specifically to the two men running for first selectman, Democrat Peter Arsenault and Republican incumbent Paul J. DeStefano.

DeStefano accepted the group’s literature and business cards during the protest march and said he would review their concerns.

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DeStefano has publicly supported the proposal to give the 17 acres in Tylerville to a private developer in exchange for 87 acres the developer owns in Higganum next to the Cockaponset State Forest.

Arsenault, however, refused the group’s literature. In an interview earlier in the afternoon Arsenault said he has not publicly taken a position on the swap and declined to share his personal opinion about it saying “it isn’t for publication.”

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Opponents of the swap, however, said Arsenault has told them he supports the proposal, which would include the development of a hotel and associated retail development on land near the river.

Swap opponents expressed frustration after the march that Arsenault would not hear their concerns.

“We’ve learned that Peter Arsenault is not open minded and willing to speak to a large voting group in town,” said Melissa Schlag, one of the leaders of Citizens for Protection of Public Land. She added, however, that the group was satisfied with the outcome of the march.

“We accomplished what we wanted.”

Two state police troopers were stationed at the farmer’s market, which operates from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. each Friday. Today’s market included a “Meet the Candidates” component, where candidates for local office set up booths and greeted prospective voters.

The troopers pulled Schlag aside at one point as she lead marchers through the market and warned her that the protesters were being disruptive and would have to leave. Schlag and the group took one more turn through the market and then assemble off to one side to chant their “Stop the Swap” refrain.


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