Cornfield Point Road Endings Are Public

• OLD SAYBROOK -- Now that a court has put the final nail in Cornfield Point's legal claim over road endings in the beach area, it's time that residents of this beach neighborhood stepped up and did the right thing.
• The nine unpaved road endings, each about 40 by 100 feet, were created as part of the Cornfield Point subdivision and deeded to Old Saybrook in 1932. Perched along the edge of a bluff, these endings offer sweeping views of Long Island Sound. Over time, however, adjoining property owners laid claim to the properties, maintaining them, planting hedges across them, even installing fences to make them look private.
• In recent years, First Selectman Michael Pace has led officials in a bid to reclaim these endings for use as small public parks. Neighbors and their neighborhood association opposed the plan, and sought to justify their land grab in court. Stung last year by a judge's ruling in the town's favor, the association and two neighbors appealed.
• Wednesday's decision by Superior Court Judge F. Herbert Gruendel lays the neighbors' legal claims to rest. Judge Gruendel ruled the town is the rightful owner and can legally install benches, signs and other amenities for the parks. There was one wrinkle: the judge noted that four proposed parking spaces may not be legal, as the town prohibits on-street parking along Cornfield Point's narrow roads.
• The roads are public, however, and Judge Gruendel noted that Old Saybrook could provide for on-street parking at the road endings by adopting an ordinance. Town Attorney Michael Cronin has also suggested that an ordinance might allow for off-street parking on designated portions of the road endings.
• It's time for Cornfield Point residents to put aside their wrongheaded resistance to these parks and make a good-faith gesture. By working to make these parks a reality, they will be helping to enhance the quality of life for all residents of Old Saybrook. [org pub by the Hartford Courant editorial]