Property Next To Hawley School May Open Possibilities

By Eliza Hallabeck

As the Board of Education learned during its April 7 meeting, the first selectman has been contacted regarding property at 27 Church Hill Road, next to Hawley Elementary School, that may be offered to the town before being placed on the market.

If the property becomes available to the school district, as Superintendent of Schools Janet Robinson informed the school board, it could be used to add parking spaces and extend the driveway completely around the school.

Dr Robinson said since she has arrived in the district, conversations regarding Hawley Elementary School have primarily been about the safety of students and overcrowding outside of the school.

“The property that the principal there has talked about for the year that I’ve been here has recently become available,” she told the board, “and the owner of this property sent [First Selectman] Joe Borst information saying that he would offer this property first to the town for purchase before it went on the market.”

Mr Borst was contacted by the owner, August Maron, by letter to inform him of the property.

Dr Robinson said the school district will not negotiate the property, because only the town can purchase property. Mr Borst would only get more information about what price the property will be appraised at if the school board approved.

The hope, Dr Robinson said, is for the driveway to be extended fully around the school if the property is attained, and, in the driveway’s current state, she said she has real concerns.

“Obviously, this would cause some shifting in terms of [Capital Improvement Plan] issues, but this is one of those issues that is here now,” said Dr Robinson. “And how could you predict when it would come up? And may never come up again. I think that for the long-term use of Hawley this is just a wonderful opportunity.”

The property is one acre with a house, which, she said, could be demolished or moved. The sale price has not yet been determined.

Board of Education Secretary Kathy Fetchick said, “We’re talking about spending a lot of money on a parking lot,” while looking at projected numbers that put Hawley Elementary school as the school with the least amount of growth expected for next year in the district.

“I know you couldn’t plan for this property to be on sale,” said Ms Fetchick, “but we do not even have enough information here to make a decision.”

Board member David Nanavaty said he felt the issue is “certainly something that should be looked into.”

“My concern would be if we don’t take a look at it, and decide whether or not we’re going to accept it, then what happens?” he said.

He brought up other properties around the school where buildings are growing.

“If we don’t take this seriously, we will find Hawley being dwarfed by another large commercial building,” said Mr Nanavaty.

School board Vice Chair Lillian Bittman said exploring an issue is not the same as making a decision.

“I would think that everyone would at least want to explore it,” Ms Bittman said.

“We are not in a position to do anything,” said Dr Robinson, and added that she wanted Mr Borst, along with the other selectmen, to gather information and consider negotiating.

The board voted unanimously to ask Mr Borst to gather information about the property.