As reported by Phil Hall at Westfair Communications and in Darien's press release
The Town of Darien has agreed to purchase the 60-plus acre parcel known as Great Island for $85 million. The closing date for the sale is May 5.
"Great Island is a pristine landscape with approximately one and a half miles of coastline in an environmentally sensitive cove on Long Island Sound," said Darien's First Selectman Monica McNally. "With this purchase, we have prioritized the conservation of this magnificent property, saving it forever from intensive development. We have added significant open space for Darien, which is needed more and more as our town enters a new development phase."
Seemingly at odds with the town's conservation priorities, however, are its plans to widen roads and create parking areas in this pristine landscape.
According to the town's press release, "After the May 5th closing, the Town will begin to perform some physical work on the site to accommodate users, including widening roads, creating parking areas, and addressing some safety, accessibility, and environmental issues. The early stages of this work will necessitate restricted access until critical updates are completed.
Environmentally-minded residents of Darien can contact First Selectman Monica McNally and the Board of Selectmen to raise their environmental concerns with plans for road widening and creating parking areas. Darien's other selectmen are:
| Michael J. Burke | (917) 656-2835 | mburke@darienct.gov |
| Marcy A. Minnick | (203) 464-2816 | mminnick@darienct.gov |
| Sarah B. Neumann | (203) 656-7386 | sneumann@darienct.gov |
| Jon E. Zagrodzky | (203) 644-7116 | jzagrodzky@darienct.gov |