TOWN COUNCIL MAJORITY OFFICE
REAL ESTATE ACQUISITION AND DISPOSITION COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 28, 2008
PRESENT William P. Horan, Jr., Chair, Councillors Jason Rojas and Eric Thompson
ALSO Melody A. Currey, Mayor
PRESENT Jeanne Webb, Director of Development
Rich Gentile, Assistant Corporation Counsel
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Horan called the meeting to order at 6:12 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
July 14, 2008
MOTION By Eric Thompson
seconded by Jason Rojas
to approve the July 14, 2008 committee meeting minutes.
Motion carried 3/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
None
NEW BUSINESS
11.4 acres abutting 244 Lombardo Drive (f.k.a. Meat Town Property)
Development Director Jeanne Webb noted that the Town is waiting for a “right to enter” on the property so that we can do a Phase I study, and we can purchase the property for $1,000.00 if the study results are acceptable. Assistant Corporation Counsel Rich Gentile opined that it would make a nice open space acquisition.
No further action at this time.
Property abutting Raymond Library
Assistant Corporation Counsel Rich Gentile initiated a discussion regarding the property abutting Raymond Library, and opined that if the referendum passes to expand the Library there should be a long term lease of the parcel to the Library. Attorney Gentile recommended a specific motion for directing the administration to negotiate the transfer.
MOTION By Jason Rojas
seconded by Eric Thompson
that pending approval of the November 4, 2008 bond referendum, the
Real Estate Acquisition and Disposition Committee directs the
Administration to enter into negotiations with the Raymond Library
Company concerning the expansion of Raymond Library and to return to
this committee with its recommendations with respect to whether a portion
of the Town-owned parking lot that abuts Raymond Library should be
conveyed or leased to the Raymond Library Company to effectuate the
expansion.
Motion carried 3/0.
OLD BUSINESS
Silver Lane Cemetery Extension – The Dill Property
Assistant Corporation Counsel Rich Gentile initiated a discussion regarding the possibility of expanding the Silver Lane Cemetery (Phase III expansion) with the acquisition of the Dill property at 1350-1366 Silver Lane. A map of the parcel, the cemetery and the surrounding area was reviewed. The Mayor opined that Phase II of the cemetery expansion gives the Town sufficient plot space past approximately 2010, and Phase III would take the Town past 2030. Assistant Corporation Counsel Rich Gentile indicated that the $200,000 cost of the property could be split over the next two years. Councillors Thompson and Rojas discussed the purchase of the property, whether there are any other places in Town to put a cemetery, and what restrictions would be put on the current property. Assistant Corporation Counsel Rich Gentile
indicated that the appraisal by the Town was $200,000, and that he was confident that there would be no problems with the Phase I study. Attorney Gentile suggested that a specific motion be made recommending that the Town Council direct the Town to purchase the property.
MOTION By Jason Rojas
seconded by Eric Thompson
to recommend that the Town Council authorize the Town to purchase
approximately 10.2 acres of land known as the “Dill” property, which
property lies behind 1350 and 1366 Silver Lane, for use for the expansion
of the Silver Lane Cemetery, for the sum of $200,000.00.
Motion carried 3/0.
Buckeye Pipeline
Assistant Corporation Counsel Rich Gentile provided a brief update on the Buckeye Pipeline.
No further action at this time.
Town-owned Land Adjacent to 800 Connecticut Boulevard
Jeanne Webb, Development Director, provided a brief update on the Town-owned land adjacent to 800 Connecticut Boulevard. Ms. Webb will obtain an opinion from the Assessor, Brian Smith, regarding an assessment of the value of the property.
MOTION By Jason Rojas
seconded by Eric Thompson
to refer the matter to the Fees Committee, along with the
assessment of the property as provided by the Town Assessor’s
office, and with a showing from the Administration that no Town
Departments are interested in the property.
Motion carried 3/0.
590 and 671 Burnside Avenue
Jeanne Webb, Development Director, initiated a general discussion regarding the results of the RFP for proposed development of 590 and 671 Burnside Avenue. There were three proposals that resulted from the RFP, each proposing different development ideas, but all requiring federal funding.
No further action taken at this time.
3 Saunders Street
Assistant Corporation Counsel Rich Gentile initiated a general update on negotiations regarding 3 Saunders Street. A deal with the owner was never finalized.
No further action taken at this time.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Jason Rojas
seconded by Eric Thompson
to adjourn (7:00 p.m.)
Motion carried 3/0.
cc: Town Council
Melody Currey, Mayor
Jeanne Webb, Director of Development
Rich Gentile, Assistant Corporation Counsel
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