More than 40 residents in town have formed a new political action committee, Keep Oxford Green (KOG), in an attempt, they say, to keep the town as rural as possible.
There have been several projects proposed that would offer affordable housing in town, including one for a manufactured (mobile home) home project near the Waterbury-Oxford Airport.
The town rejected the plan.
It is now before the courts and a decision could come by Oct.30, town officials said. The town is currently waiting to see which way the decision will go.
Ed Carver, who heads up the new PAC, said they oppose any type of condominiums and or high density housing in town. Currently in town there is only one affordable apartment complex, Crestview Ridge, which is for the elderly and disabled.
Carver said they have about 40 supporters that are Republicans, Democrats and unaffiliated voters in town. He said additional affordable housing would not be good for the town because it could have a potential impact on the town’s school system.
However, Herman Schuler, the town’s economic development director, called the new PAC, “political,’’ and pointed out that if less than 10 percent of the town’s housing stock is not affordable, that under state law, it becomes difficult for the town to reject projects for affordable housing.
The town only has about 1 percent of housing stock considered affordable.
Schuler instead charged that Carver and Republican Selectman Augie Palmer, who is running for the Planning and Zoning Commission, have formed the PAC to use it for political means.
He also noted that Palmer is the production manager for Carver’s Oxford Science company and that fellow Republican Dave Haversat is running against Democratic incumbent MaryAnn Drayton-Rogers in November.
“It’s disgusting that this is the only issue they could come up with for the election,’’ said Schuler.
Carver denied forming the PAC for political reasons. “This is about preserving the rural nature of our town,’’Carver said, “this is a bi-partisan effort and the furthest thing from a political motive.’’
The group is now gathering signatures for a petition against high density construction in town and will also hold a rally and barbecue from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 17, at the Round Building, 178 Christian St.
For more information on the new PAC, visit their website: www.KeepOxfordGreen.com, or contact them at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
