Fairfield Hills Closing Is Delayed Again

By Jan Howard

A closing date for purchase of the Fairfield Hills campus is being delayed a second time.

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal said Tuesday that he has requested an extension of 60 days from the state, but has not as yet received a reply.

“They’re not ready to close,” he said, noting that changes the town made to its remedial action plan for environmental issues at the site have not as yet been reviewed by the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

“Our work is essentially done,” Mr Rosenthal said.

He said the state also has to make some electrical changes to the pump house on Wasserman Way that supplies water to the campus, Reed School, Garner, and the horse guard.

“They have been working on it for some time,” he said. “The main problem is wiring.

“It has to be fixed before the closing,” Mr Rosenthal said. “It’s part of our agreement.”

It was originally thought that the closing would take place at the end of February, following a 60-day extension from December 31.

In December, Newtown had exercised its automatic option under terms of its contract with the state to extend the closing date because some contingencies outlined in the contract had not been satisfied, such as the DEP’s review of the town remedial action plan.

The sale of the property is contingent upon the approval of the remedial action plan and receipt of a covenant not to sue from the state, and review of the documents by the town’s environmental lawyers and consultant.

Mr Rosenthal signed the contract for the purchase of the 189-acre campus on October 20 after which the contract was sent with a check for $390,000, ten percent of the purchase price of $3.9 million, to the Treasurer of the State of Connecticut. The remainder of the purchase price is due at the time of the closing.