1. Today should be mostly sunny, with a high of 74, according to the National Weather Service. Tonight, it should be mostly clear, with a low of 53, according to the service.
2. Some more opinions on Mark Steiner’s .
Town historian Robert Nye was worried about the proposal, mainly because Steiner was proposing to knock down the original buildings. Cass Gilbert, a famous architect, designed the buildings, and they are historically significant, Nye said.
Find out what's happening in Waterfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“If you knock them down, you’ve destroyed this incredible work of art by a famous American architect,” Nye said. “You can’t create another Cass Gilbert.”
However, Nye said if a qualified independent preservationist proved it was “utterly impossible” to restore the buildings, he would be OK with them being knocked down.
Find out what's happening in Waterfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
First Selectman Dan Steward, meanwhile, was in favor of Steiner’s proposal, calling it a big improvement to what’s there. However, he said he will stay out of it and allow the planning and zoning commission to make that decision.
“I would probably support it,” Steward said. “You have the option of fairly high-end condominiums, or you can have decaying buildings. Your choice.”
Also, Gary Johnson, chairman of the conservation commission, weighed in at Patch Tuesday evening. He wrote:
“If the original conditions under which Steiner became the preferred developer can no longer be met, and the buildings are in such bad shape that they can't be saved, then the process should be reopened and everyone should have the opportunity to re-look at the property with new conditions/restrictions in place. I have no particular issue with Mr. Steiner, but changing the rules of the game after everyone else decided they couldn't stay in the game under those rules just isn't fair.”
3. Tonight at 6, Waterford Youth Services hands out its Champion for Children 2011 Awards in town hall. This year, eight people will receive awards, and the public is invited to come
4. Just some quick updates on the new animal shelter plan the ad-hoc animal shelter study committee will present to the board of selectmen on June 21 (its previous proposal, which was at least $1.2 million, ):
The plans for the new shelter are taken from Guilford, which built its shelter in 2007 for $500,000. The shelter has eight kennels and two behavioral kennels, animal control shelter chairwomen Margaret Ormond said.
The shelter might cost more than $500,000 now, as it has been four years, Ormond said. Steward called the new plan’s pricing “much more realistic.”
5. On this date in 1864, Arlington National Cemetery is established in Arlington, Va. The land was owned by Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Lee owed taxes on the land, and he sent an agent to pay them. The agent was refused by the United States government. Instead, the government kept the land and turned it into a cemetery.
In 1874, Lee’s grandson Custis Lee sued the federal government for taking the land without due process. The Supreme Court sided with Lee, and gave the land back to him. Lee would later sell the land back to the government for $150,000.
Quote of the Day
“I know you are here to kill me. Shoot, coward, you are only going to kill a man.”
-Ernesto “Che” Guevara
Trivia of the Day
What United States general ran the armored forces division in World War II?
Yesterday’s Answer: Mark Cuban owns the Dallas Mavericks.
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