Date: Fri 04-Sep-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

selectmen-Queen-St-state

Full Text:

Selectmen Back Purchase Of Queen Street Properties

(with photos)

BY STEVE BIGHAM

The Town of Newtown moved a step closer to purchasing six houses and eight

lots on Queen Street Monday night as the Board of Selectmen voted to make the

state an offer.

Hartford has offered the former Fairfield Hills Hospital properties each as

individual properties for a grand total of nearly $1.2 million. The state had

the homes appraised and then gave the town right-of-first-refusal.

The deadline to make an offer was Tuesday. The town has the option to purchase

some or all of the properties.

Even with the cost required to bring the buildings up to code, the first

selectman said the houses would still be well within the price range of a home

selling in Newtown.

"I realize this is a significant expenditure, but considering the value of

real estate in Newtown, I find it hard to believe the town would lose money,"

he said.

The town could very well turn around and sell the houses "as is" - with deed

restrictions. First selectman Herb Rosenthal said by purchasing all of the

homes, the town would be exercising control over future building that may

occur there. He said the town could be a bit vulnerable to higher density

housing since the properties are hooked up to municipal water and sewer

facilities.

The homes, appraised by the state for their land value only, are being offered

to the town for anywhere from $76,000 to $140,000.

Mr Rosenthal said he would try to put some kind of "covenant" on the homes,

ensuring they remain single-family.

Building inspector Tom Paternoster found the homes to be in poor shape during

a recent inspection. The houses have been neglected, he said, describing leaky

roofs, falling plaster, floors sagging and the presence of lead and asbestos.

Mr Paternoster said that bringing the homes up to code would cost anywhere

from $50,000 to $90,000 each. The cost to demolish each home was estimated to

be around $30,000, $15,000 for asbestos abatement and $15,000 for the actual

demolition.

The building officials said updating the buildings for municipal purposes does

not appear to be feasible from a cost standpoint.

By making an offer, Mr Rosenthal would simply be holding the sale of the

properties up until a final decision can be made by the Legislative Council

and eventually, the town at a referendum. It does not obligate the town to

pull out its check book.

Queen Street residents Lisa Floros, Dorothy Thompson and Jill Beaudrey

attended Monday's meeting to get a better understanding of the town's plan.

They're concerned the purchase of the property will lead to blockage of the

scenic views they currently enjoy and increased traffic patterns.

"You'd never think about putting the (Hook & Ladder) firehouse down there

would you?" asked Mrs Thompson.

That has been discussed, said Mr Rosenthal, although it would be built toward

the lower portion of the road, if it is built at all.

The properties adjacent to Grand Place at the northern end of Queen Street

could be used for soccer fields. The Parks & Recreation Commission has made a

push for those, the first selectman said.

The homes were once used to house hospital staff members. The picturesque land

behind the homes is actually open space owned by the state's Department of

Agriculture.

Recently, the Legislative Council met in executive session to discuss the

issue of acquisition of property.

No formal vote was taken, but members say they know of no one on the board who

is opposed to purchasing the Queen Street land.