Paige Bronk, Groton town development manager, told The Day that public identification of a developer for the Pleasant Valley Elementary School is expected within several weeks, “Groton in negotiations with developer for former Pleasant Valley School,” (July 17).

In view of problems involving the Mystic Oral School project that Bronk announced in similar fashion, I urge that the announcement be transparent, unlike the cloudy information that accompanied the Oral School project. It should include Bronk’s efforts to involve the neighborhood and the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission in the planning of this major public project.

The announcement also should explain the vetting of the developer’s reputation and experience; any TIF financial assistance — and how much — that would be involved; any zoning changes needed; and how the plan fits into, and hopefully enhances, the property's surroundings. What will the developer pay for the currently town-owned land? How was the price calculated?

Signed documents should be made public without the need for the Freedom of Information applications required to get facts about the Oral School. How does the developer’s response match the Request for Proposal?

Transparency can help.

Jim Furlong

Mystic