NEWS

In Survey, Mahackeno Second to Baron's South

By DON CASCIATO dcasciato@bcnnew.com

Read Text of Survey with graph of results

The results of a survey of Westporters released yesterday indicate that 72 percent of those with a preference support a site other than Camp Mahackeno for a new YMCA building.

In addition, the survey results showed that 59 percent of those surveyed support the lease of town lands at Baron's South to the YMCA and only 28 percent were opposed. Among Y members surveyed, 67 percent more were prepared to contribute money in support of a new Y at Baron's South than at Camp Mahackeno.

The survey was conducted by the Marketing Network of North Haven and the results were presented at the Westport Historical Society yesterday morning to the media. Two RTM members also attended as well as a representative from the YMCA.

On Wednesday, the Westport News published a letter from Richard Foot, the executive director and CEO of the Westport/ Weston YMCA, in which he stated: " although it is always helpful to receive input, we doubt that a survey at this point will yield any new insights, particularly when it presents an option locating the Y on town-owned Baron's South property that is simply not viable and that has already been thoroughly opposed and decided against by town residents and elected officials."

The survey, which was conducted last week from Wednesday, April 6 to Friday, April 8, involved interviewing 400 residents of voter age with special care being taken to include a representative sample across the nine voting districts and across four age groups: 18-30, 31-50, 51-65 and over 65, according to a statement released at the meeting yesterday.

Special care was made to approximate the actual demographics of Westport as closely as possible. Members of the Y also were included in the survey and represented 30 percent of the total sample.

The project was initiated and financed by four residents who said that that they share a concern about the development welfare of Westport and its families.

The Westport quartet Donald Bergmann, Ted Diamond, Roy Dickinson and Andy Lozyniak yesterday said that they have different political backgrounds, but share common concerns about placement of a new Y.

The four sponsors of the survey said it cost several thousand dollars, but they declined to give a precise price tag for the study. The men explained they believed a nonpartisan, straightforward questionnaire would help clear the air and provide a guide for both the Y board and town authorities.

The quartet said they hope that with the information developed, the Y and the town can work together to find a responsible solution to the current controversy over placement of a new YMCA building. They also said that with "myriad letters to the editor" of the Westport News it has become difficult to determine just what "the people" really want.

All four sponsors of the survey emphasized that they are trying to do what is in the best interest of Westport and its residents. They are supportive of the Y's desire to relocate and with the exception of Bergmann they are "Y" members.

They are all hopeful that the survey will be the catalyst to bring the town and Y together in finding a place on Baron's South, near the Senior Center, for the new Y facility.

"Make sure you understand that this is a non-partisan and non- political effort," said Diamond to the reporters.

The solidarity of the four men cracked slightly when Diamond said he hopes it does not become a political issue. Bergmann countered: "I can't leave that go. I believe it is important that political leaders weigh in on this issue."

Otherwise they presented a united front, even when a reporter questioned why at least one woman wasn't included in the survey project. They all agreed that they felt the lack of a woman is irrelevant and pointed out that 59 percent of the respondents are women and 41 percent men, with each age group also covered.

Some of the questions in the survey include:

Q: Are you aware that the Y is planning to sell their downtown building and construct a new facility?

Q: Can you name the location or locations under consideration.?

Q: Do you have a preference for where it would be most suitable for the new Y to be located? The options listed include Mahackeno, Barons South and along the Saugatuck River in the community lot.

Q: Do you think the town should be willing to lease some land to the Y at Baron's South close to where the senior center is located?

Q: Now we want to re-emphasize that this is not a solicitation and your answer will be confidential and ONLY used statistically in our survey, but we would like to know if you would be willing to contribute money to a new Y building on?

The Marketing Network was founded in 1985 and the company describes itself as a full service firm offering qualitative and quantitative research and marketing consulting services.

Marketing Network clients include Bridgeport Hospital, the Shubert Theater, the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, SBC Communications, and Aetna Insurance.

A press release identified the backgrounds of the four men.

Lozyniak has lived in Westport his entire life and his father owned a farm at the present site of the Sherwood Connector. He is past president of Dynamics Corp of America.

Diamond arrived in Westport in 1955 and served as Westport's Second Selectman for eight years. He also was on the RTM and he served as the head of the Committee to Save Winslow Park.

Dickinson arrived in 1968. He was a member of the RTM for 12 years and is a past chairman of both the Conservation Commission and the Parks and Recreation Commission.

Bergmann moved to Westport in 1979, and has become active in a number of town-wide issues. He is a regular at First Selectwoman Diane Farrell's Brown Bag luncheons.