Zoners mull Gunnery's field project

The proposed construction of two athletic fields for The Gunnery's property along South Street in Washington is still inspiring public opposition.

The town's Inland Wetlands Commission approved the application for the sports fields in March in the face of public outcry.

Property neighbors believe the size of the undertaking would irrevocably change run-off into the Shepaug River.

Conservation Commission Chairwoman Susan Payne expressed "grave" concerns about "the immense scale of the project" in a Dec. 13, 2011, letter to the Inland Wetland Commission.

Now before the town's Zoning Commission, the proposal led two zoners with ties to the school to recuse themselves April 23, and a third member was called on to recuse himself, but declined to step down.

Nick Solley recused himself, citing his wife's position on the private boarding school's Board of Trustees.

Fellow zoner Dave Werkhoven similarly stepped down after Neil Marcus, the attorney for intervening neighbors to the project, questioned the Werkhoven family's tie to the school. Mr. Werkhoven's wife is a part-time tutor at The Gunnery.

Zoner Ray Reich held his seat to consider The Gunnery's application despite questions related to Mr. Reich receiving a pension from the school where he once taught science.

The next Zoning Commission meeting will be May 28 at 7:30 p.m. at Bryan Memorial Town Hall.