Noel's Tree Farm urges committee not to allow Industrial Drive through its property

Alon Kessler, owner of Noel's Tree Farm at 21 Charles Bancroft Highway in Litchfield, read a letter to the Circumferential Highway Exploratory Committee urging the town not to purchase or build a road through or adjacent to his property. "Would you please be so kind as to consider not purchasing or building a road on the tax map 1-90-1 property also referred to as Industrial Drive," he said, and read a list of neighbor objections that he had submitted to the record.

Kessler argued that construction and the impervious cover of an asphalt road would alter soil hydrology and create conditions favorable to Phytophthora root rot. "The fungus is highly contagious and can easily spread through the entire farm and kill every tree," he said, describing Phytophthora as "probably the single most devastating phenomenon" affecting the Christmas-tree industry. He also listed non-monetary contributions his farm provides to the town—police details, gravel purchases, employment and photography events—and asked the committee to count those values in any cost analysis.

Committee members thanked Kessler and confirmed his letter would be part of the official record. Chair Diane Polanski emphasized the committee’s exploratory role and said members would research deed and DOT processes before making recommendations to the selectmen. The committee agreed to request more documentation from the state and to place Kessler’s correspondence on file.

Kessler also presented transcribed letters from two neighbors raising safety and wetlands concerns; the committee encouraged continued communication and said it would consider deeds, access rights and mitigation options before any formal recommendation was written.