Letter to the Editor: Candlewood Hills Tax District Dispute

To the Editor:

I want to bring to light some issues going on in the Candlewood Hills Tax District (CHTD) for the entire New Fairfield Community.

For many years, residents of the district who lived on portions of Candle Hill Road, Linda Lane, Carola

Lane and Squantz View Drive had been unsatisfied with the allocation of the tax monies they paid to the district. Recently, after a long court battle between the residents and CHTD, the court has ruled in favor of the residents. We have been released from the CHTD and no longer have to pay a separate tax.

The CHTD is a community similar to a Homeowner's association (HOA). We are required to pay AND have paid an annual assessment to the CHTD. This is in addition to the Town of New Fairfield property taxes. The CHTD has by-laws, rules and regulations, (which they do not always follow) and these by-laws are posted on CHTD website. They are also required to file a certified audit of their financials. These CHDT taxes which the residents pay are used for the community and include maintaining all of the roads in the district. Just to reiterate and everyone is clear the residents have been paying their taxes.

Due to the recent loss for the CHTD, Ron Walker the board president is apparently pretty angry and appears to be a sore loser. On December 24th, yes Christmas Eve a gate was erected by Ron Walker, the board president and possibly other board members, on Carola Lane blocking access to Squantz View Drive and the private road of Oak Street. Initially, it was opened by the New Fairfield police and then Ron Walker and team closed it off again. Once again the police department and state police were called and an additional pad lock was added for the fire department. So the gate was open! On January 4th after the snow storm the gate was once again locked. Several residents called the police and we were informed that CHTD had a court order to do so. Once our attorney called he was informed that the sergeant who was on duty may have the court order, because the police did not know where it was located, was gone for the weekend and we would have to "suck it up". The police department REFUSED to call the sergeant. On Monday January 6th our attorney once again called the police, spoke with the sergeant who refused to speak about the court order. There was no court order. The town attorney and selectman refuse to get involved as they have stated this is civil matter! My question is if it is a civil mater why did they open the gate the first time?? The town in which we pay taxes to does not want to help!! Right now the town is allowing an illegal gate to remain locked until we, the residents go back to court on January 21st.

Some may find this frivolous and yes we have an alternative, but the access via Oak Street, which is a private and unpaved road with multiple potholes, not only makes it difficult for the residents but for anyone coming up to the area including; all types of utility workers, postal carriers, UPS and others. While the gate has a lock for the fire department, if there is an emergency will EMS have to wait for the fire department to arrive and open the gate? Should the police be called to someone's home will they too have to wait for the fire department to open the gate? Is it fair to put undue stress on a private road? What happens if a tree falls down on Oak Street and it is impassable?? Will the town then take action? What if the residents on Oak Street decide to put their cars on the street and block our access? Hey I wouldn't blame them. Finally, I ask the CHTD Board of Directors where is an account of how the budget is being used on a monthly and yearly basis? Do you have those records including receipts?

I would hope that the residents can persuade the town to take action and get involved.

Regards,

Elissa Boyet

(editor's note: sorry about previous autocorrect on your last name, Elissa!)

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