112-SEAT RESTAURANT WITH LIQUOR PROPOSED FOR NEW FAIRFIELD TOWN PARK WITH LIQUOR PROPOSED FOR NEW FAIRFIELD TOWN PARK
(THIS BLOG HAS BEEN MODIFIED FROM THE ORIGINAL WITH PICTURES AND HIGHLIGHTS)
This plan is bigger than what is being implied. The plan by town hall and Park & Rec.continues to take shape with final bids due Feb. 4th.
The next Park and Rec. Meeting is at 7:30 Monday, February 7th, at the Senior Center. Keep checking the website, www.newfairfield.org, because Park and Rec.has changed their last two special meetings.
If you DO NOT want a restaurant at this site, opposite the C.I. beach and the north end of C.I. and fail to take action, it is very possible that this restaurant will become a reality. The News Times reports that it is schedule to open by May 31st.
For those of you who do not know me, I am Gary Kurz, a longtime resident of Candlewood Isle. I own a restaurant in Danbury, Connecticut, named Rosy Tomorrows which recently celebrated 30 years of service.
Some north-end residents asked me to investigate a proposal for a restaurant at the New Fairfield Town Park & Beach, as they are out of town for most of the winter. I agreed to look into the facts.
I first learned of this project from an article in the Danbury News Times on December 24, 2010.
I met with First Selectman John Hodge at great length. I learned that the restaurant project was suggested and then proposed as a way to renovate an existing building at the Town Park. Additionally, it was suggested that this project could change a $10,000 deficit at the Beach into a profit from the commercial rent.
I was shocked to learn of the fast pace of this project. Final bids from interested vendors are due February 4 (today)! Potential lessees were already getting a final “walk-through” in the original building on January 14! How did these interested vendors even know about the project? What was the rush? Something just did not feel right to me about this project. The idea of introducing another liquor license on Candlewood Lake needs great discussion. What about the issues of sanitation? zoning? health? wetlands? septic? traffic on the state road and on the lake?
I have also spoken with several residents on the Isle and off the Isle. I have received much help from Pat & Tracy Maher, New Fairfield residents, who have notified over 300 friends and neighbors.
There is no requirement of the lessee to serve a certain percentage of food relative to alcohol. The Town is also considering a food cart on the Beach making food “to go” available. Also mentioned was a catering function. A normal restaurant would devote 40-50% of its total space to the kitchen and storage areas (even McDonald’s does that with a limited menu).
To my knowledge, the Candlewood Isle Tax District has chosen to NOT take a position on this matte, at this time. Undoubtedly, there will be Isle residents who will be on both sides of this project. Mr. Hodge suggested that if residents are strongly opposed, they should plan to attend and speak out at the Town meetings. Eventually there will be a Town Meeting at which a vote will be taken. It is essential that everyone opposed take action and speak out and vote.
Some residents have expressed an interest in hiring a lawyer. A local well know law firm recommends that we take specific legal action promptly. Anyone interesting in helping fund the cost of legal representation or participate as a group to meet with an attorney, should contact Hy Dawkins or myself. Please understand that this e-mail is informational and not meant to be a financial request. But if you are upset by the above information and want to be represented in a legal solution, contributions would be needed, and spreading the cost among several people would be helpful.
I became involved in this problem by opening the door slightly to discover the events as described. I do not live on the north end of C.I. Since I own a restaurant, my interest could be construed to be prejudicial or in my own self-interest. But my truthful concern is that I believe another liquor license on Candlewood Lake will be detrimental to the area and lead to problems. Such a decision can open the path for other towns on the Lake to pursue more licenses. There will be more noise, boat traffic and more pollution. It will be detrimental to the health and welfare of the families and children that presently use the New Fairfield Town Beach. Residents of Candlewood Isle need to voice their opinions and attend the Town meetings.
I hope these personal findings of mine are helpful at this time.
Gary W. Kurz 79 Lake Drive South
The next Park and Rec. Meeting is at 7:30 Monday, February 7th, at the Senior Center. Keep checking the website, www.newfairfield.org, because Park and Rec.has changed their last two special meetings.
If you DO NOT want a restaurant at this site, opposite the C.I. beach and the north end of C.I. and fail to take action, it is very possible that this restaurant will become a reality. The News Times reports that it is schedule to open by May 31st.
AN ALERT for ALL NEW FAIRFIELD RESIDENTS
For those of you who do not know me, I am Gary Kurz, a longtime resident of Candlewood Isle. I own a restaurant in Danbury, Connecticut, named Rosy Tomorrows which recently celebrated 30 years of service.
Some north-end residents asked me to investigate a proposal for a restaurant at the New Fairfield Town Park & Beach, as they are out of town for most of the winter. I agreed to look into the facts.
I first learned of this project from an article in the Danbury News Times on December 24, 2010.
I met with First Selectman John Hodge at great length. I learned that the restaurant project was suggested and then proposed as a way to renovate an existing building at the Town Park. Additionally, it was suggested that this project could change a $10,000 deficit at the Beach into a profit from the commercial rent.
I was shocked to learn of the fast pace of this project. Final bids from interested vendors are due February 4 (today)! Potential lessees were already getting a final “walk-through” in the original building on January 14! How did these interested vendors even know about the project? What was the rush? Something just did not feel right to me about this project. The idea of introducing another liquor license on Candlewood Lake needs great discussion. What about the issues of sanitation? zoning? health? wetlands? septic? traffic on the state road and on the lake?
I have also spoken with several residents on the Isle and off the Isle. I have received much help from Pat & Tracy Maher, New Fairfield residents, who have notified over 300 friends and neighbors.
Most of those people knew nothing of the project and they were unanimously alarmed for the changes which would occur at the Town Beach. Their concerns included: loss of beach space for the children’s programs, interference with the sailing programs, more parking difficulties, separate bathrooms and changing areas and general safety.
The project calls for a main seating area for approximately 42 people plus a covered 75-foot-long deck added for approximately 70 more people. Mr. Hodge indicated there are people in town who favor this project. He also expected negative input from residents of Candlewood Isle, Turtle Bay, the Knolls and Knollcrest because of the increased road & boat traffic, noise, lights and alcohol service.
When I looked at the actual drawings, many items were missing that would normally be necessary for a restaurant to function. Noticeably missing were: designated delivery areas, designated refuse and grease areas, adequate refrigeration, a walk-in refrigerator, adequate restaurant equipment to produce 3 meals a day for a 112-seat restaurant, adequate storage areas, separate areas for liquor and food, proper dishwashing area and equipment and wait staff pick-up areas. How would you feel if the Candlewood Isle Beach served food and alcohol to the public on our patio while your children were playing a few feet away?
For your information, there are approximately 150 boat slips there now. There are no plans to increase areas for additional docking of boats. There are only 2 small bathrooms.
The project calls for a main seating area for approximately 42 people plus a covered 75-foot-long deck added for approximately 70 more people. Mr. Hodge indicated there are people in town who favor this project. He also expected negative input from residents of Candlewood Isle, Turtle Bay, the Knolls and Knollcrest because of the increased road & boat traffic, noise, lights and alcohol service.
When I looked at the actual drawings, many items were missing that would normally be necessary for a restaurant to function. Noticeably missing were: designated delivery areas, designated refuse and grease areas, adequate refrigeration, a walk-in refrigerator, adequate restaurant equipment to produce 3 meals a day for a 112-seat restaurant, adequate storage areas, separate areas for liquor and food, proper dishwashing area and equipment and wait staff pick-up areas. How would you feel if the Candlewood Isle Beach served food and alcohol to the public on our patio while your children were playing a few feet away?
For your information, there are approximately 150 boat slips there now. There are no plans to increase areas for additional docking of boats. There are only 2 small bathrooms.
The layout is large indoor and outdoor seating for alcohol but small on food production.
There is no requirement of the lessee to serve a certain percentage of food relative to alcohol. The Town is also considering a food cart on the Beach making food “to go” available. Also mentioned was a catering function. A normal restaurant would devote 40-50% of its total space to the kitchen and storage areas (even McDonald’s does that with a limited menu).
To my knowledge, the Candlewood Isle Tax District has chosen to NOT take a position on this matte, at this time. Undoubtedly, there will be Isle residents who will be on both sides of this project. Mr. Hodge suggested that if residents are strongly opposed, they should plan to attend and speak out at the Town meetings. Eventually there will be a Town Meeting at which a vote will be taken. It is essential that everyone opposed take action and speak out and vote.
Some residents have expressed an interest in hiring a lawyer. A local well know law firm recommends that we take specific legal action promptly. Anyone interesting in helping fund the cost of legal representation or participate as a group to meet with an attorney, should contact Hy Dawkins or myself. Please understand that this e-mail is informational and not meant to be a financial request. But if you are upset by the above information and want to be represented in a legal solution, contributions would be needed, and spreading the cost among several people would be helpful.
I became involved in this problem by opening the door slightly to discover the events as described. I do not live on the north end of C.I. Since I own a restaurant, my interest could be construed to be prejudicial or in my own self-interest. But my truthful concern is that I believe another liquor license on Candlewood Lake will be detrimental to the area and lead to problems. Such a decision can open the path for other towns on the Lake to pursue more licenses. There will be more noise, boat traffic and more pollution. It will be detrimental to the health and welfare of the families and children that presently use the New Fairfield Town Beach. Residents of Candlewood Isle need to voice their opinions and attend the Town meetings.
I hope these personal findings of mine are helpful at this time.
Gary W. Kurz 79 Lake Drive South
