5/10/10

On Monday, May 10, 2010 the Town of Madison purchased the 42-acre Griswold Airport property directly adjacent to the globally Important Bird Area of Hammonasset Beach State Park. This prevents the development of the property, which had been the proposed location for Nearly 150 units of housing. Audubon Connecticut, the Menunkatuck Audubon Society and other partners have been working to protect this property for nearly 13 years. The successful closing of the transaction was announced at a press conference and ceremony at the site that was attended by more than 150 people.

Audubon Connecticut first provided the scientific basis to oppose the municipal zoning permits that the developer Leyland Alliance required, and, among other things, then helped to secure $11 million to fund the purchase. At Monday’s event, municipal leaders remarked about Sandy Breslin and Patrick Comins’ hard work in leading the educational effort that resulted in the passage of a public referendum to bond $9 million of the project cost.

The property includes 2000 feet of frontage on the fragile wetland system of Hammonasset Beach State Park, a globally significant Important Bird Area. This area is habitat for federally protected and rare species of nesting birds, especially Saltmarsh Sparrow, Piping Plover and Least Tern; contains native coastal grasslands and a remnant stand of mature coastal forest; and is essential wintering and migratory stop-over habitat for many other species of birds.

The parcel is now owned by the Town of Madison. A special nine-person committee has been established to prepare a conservation plan for the site. We look forward to participating in the effort.

Photos of the property & closing ceremony.

Griswold Airport Land Vision - A Place for Wildlife & People.

Attorney General Blumenthal and Tom Baptist.	Madison First Selectman Filmore McPherson hands Howard Kaufman checks and Mr. Kaufman hands him the deed.