On Wednesday, July 20, New Fairfield’s Zoning Commission unanimously agreed to hire Joseph P. Williams, Esq., from the law firm of Shipman and Goodwin, to represent them in a legal matter regarding their decision on the proposed bus lot at 302 Ball Pond Road. The Com mission’s need for legal representation stemmed from a summons received on June 30 from the Town of New Fairfield’s Board of Selectmen (BOS) and Permanent Building Committee (PBC).

The path to this point has been fraught with local neighbor protests, heated discourse at meetings, strong opposing viewpoints, and a hotly contested interpretation of a 1999 special permit for renovations to Consolidated’s property. The Zoning Commission has long contended that the property at 302 Ball Pond Road is not suitable for a bus lot, whereas the PBC, with backing from the BOS, has pointed to this location as the most feasible and most economical option for the lot.

Following the Zoning Commission’s recent rejection of the bus lot’s site plan on Wednesday, June 8, and the legal move to override it, the matter will move to the leg al world. Williams has 25 years of experience as a litigator and trial lawyer. He is co-chair of the Real Estate, Environmental, Energy, Land Use and Construction Department at his firm.

By Sarah Opdahl