PUBLIC OPINION

To the Editor:

The directors of the YMCA have recently published a time line to their anticipated applications for their relocation from downtown to a residential neighborhood. One item on the list stands out, the application to the CT Department of Transportation.

One has to wonder why this is on the list, since the Y Directors have told the public, their members and their own trustees and directors that the CT DOT has already agreed to their plans. The reason is simple: the CT DOT has not approved any plans, nor have any been submitted or analyzed by the State.

Many people have signed onto the Y’s abandonment of downtown believing that the traffic issues have been solved and approved by the DOT. The truth is, they have not. Traffic is one of the largest hurdles for the Y, and it still looms large... Very large.

Also in the Y Directors’ literature are references to traffic “within our sphere of control.” The Y Directors are setting up the Town to believe traffic issues caused by this massive move are not their problem. The Y Directors are trying to dodge the traffic bullet before its fired.

In fact, the Y has to solve, not only their entrance issues and those of the Merritt exit, but also routes 33, 57, 53 and all the roads which lead onto them. It’s a nice ploy saying, “its not our problem, take it up with the Town,” but that too is not the case.

It is clear the Y Directors have an agenda, but that doesn’t mean they can spin their way through the approval process. Westport deserves better transparency from the Y and its directors. The new Y is now slated to be over 100,000sqf, making it one of the largest and heavily used buildings in Westport. This kind of building has no business being built in a residential neighborhood where the roads can’t handle it, and the CT DOT knows this.

Sincerely,

Vijay Rajamani
Westport, CT