We want to commend state Reps. Joe de la Cruz and Christine Conley and Sen. Heather Somers for co-sponsoring SJ 35, a constitutional amendment that will have long-term benefits for Groton and the entire state. At present our state-owned lands, which are held in the public trust, can be sold or given away to individuals or towns by the legislature without any public input — no public hearing, no public notice, just trade them away. The public owns these lands and should be able to engage in the land-conveyance process. In theory, without this constitutional amendment, Bluff Point State Park or Haley Farm could be sold by the state at any time with no public input.

SJ 35 would turn this secretive giveaway system into a public process, requiring a public hearing on any proposed transfer of state-owned lands. It would also require a two-thirds vote of the legislature, thus ensuring that controversial land sales will be held back for further scrutiny.

Three cheers for our legislators for supporting public input on transfers of our public lands and co-sponsoring SJ 35. 

Elizabeth Raisbeck and Eugenia Villagra

Groton Conservation Advocates

Groton