I wish to clarify the fast deal that has occurred with the Griswold Landing site offered to the town for $8 million.

A contact was signed between Howard Kaufman and Mary Ann Griswold for purchase of the Griswold Airport for $4.4 million in 2000. The option to purchase was renewed in 2005 at the originally agreed upon price. Mr. Kaufman took his project before the Planning & Zoning Commission, which agreed to the division of the land into 127 building sites. The land's value sharply increased because of this action.

At a hearing with the state Department of Environmental Protection, Mr. Kaufman was given approval for an on-site septic system. Again the value of the land increased, because of the state action.

Mr. Kaufman entered into an agreement with Alecia Betty of the Trust for Public Land, then presented to the Board of Selectmen $9.7 million for the site. The Trust for Public Land had previously negotiated for other towns in quest of open spaces and, in the case of Madison Landing, has pledged to raise $1.7 million of the agreed upon $9.7 million.

The citizens of the town of Madison have now been given, for the first time, the direct option to vote on this valuable piece of property within 45 days. The salt marsh would remain in its natural state. Another expected use of the site will be for athletic fields, perhaps two baseball fields and two soccer fields, as well as a possible business activity to provide tax revenue for the town.

Perhaps up to another million dollars might be needed to remove the buildings and modify the land. I and many others feel that the acceptance of this valuable site will prove to be a great enhancement to the quality of life that the citizens of Madison value.

William H. Walling

Madison