#MiddleburyCT #SaveHistoricMiddlebury #KellyRoad #MemorialMiddleSchool
By MARJORIE NEEDHAM
Time is running out on Save Historic Middlebury’s efforts to preserve 35 acres of land next to Memorial Middle School in Middlebury for a public multi-activity park. A $1 million payment was due March 1, and the grace period if that payment wasn’t made (it was not) will expire March 10. Additional donations are needed to save this land for recreational use instead of 14 home sites.
SHM President Nick Stuller posted the following plea for funding on Friday, March 6.
To our volunteers, donors, and friends:
The odds are quite high we only have four days left to save the 35 acres at 124 Kelly Road. This coming Tuesday the 10th, the owner has the legal right to terminate his contract with Save Historic Middlebury, Inc. and build his pre-approved 14-unit residential subdivision.
If, however, we can come up with enough pledges on or about the 10th, I am sure he will give us an extension in order to acquire this land that is 25 feet from our only middle school. If you can make a pledge in the coming days, we would greatly appreciate it. To reiterate, donor loans can be paid back by the grants we will be applying for and grants will pay for 90% of the cost. Www.tpl.org and ctconservation.org/ have been incredibly helpful in guiding us and are excited about the project.
The reality is, with our existing contract, he will make a good guaranteed profit with very little risk, so it’s in his best interest to give us more time if we are reasonably close. Regardless of what transpires over the next four days and the days after that, until he starts digging, there is always the possibility that we can still secure this important property. We have no true idea of exactly when he will be ready to start construction, what the local and national economic forces will be in the coming weeks and months, etc.
To be realistic, the odds are indeed very low that we will have this opportunity again, but just in case, we will be ready to take action if pledges come together after the 10th and before construction begins.
Many thanks all, do not hesitate to reach out at any time at 917-533-5593 with any and all questions.
All the best,
Nick
Nicholas W. Stuller
President
Save Historic Middlebury, Inc.
www.shmiddlebury.org
P.O. Box 1320
Middlebury, CT 06762
