Town Sells Last Five Lots On Queen Street

By Steve Bigham

The sale of the town-owned Queen Street properties came to an end this past Saturday as the final five lots were auctioned off. Last weekend’s auction took just 30 minutes and brought in $672,000.

In all, six homes and five lots were sold for a total of just over $1.9 million, a net profit to the town of $700,000. The town purchased the land and houses from the state for $1.2 million.

The town retained three of the most picturesque vacant lots between the Geckle house and the Merryhill Day Care Center for its own use.

“If you figure those lots are each worth $150,000 then we probably just about doubled our money,” noted First Selectman Herb Rosenthal at Monday’s Board of Selectmen meeting.

“When are we going to be out buying our next land?” joked Selectman Bill Brimmer.

The largest lot sold Saturday, 1.25 acres, went to Joseph John Lamanna of Norwalk for $150,000. He was the only bidder and purchased the lot at 53 Queen Street for the minimum bid price.

The lots at 57, 61, and 63 Queen Street were sold to Victoria Boccuzzi of Stamford each for $130,000. All three lots were just over half an acre.

Michael Daubert of KMC Investments purchased the 0.7-acre parcel at 67 Queen Street for $132,000. Two weeks ago, Mr Daubert purchased the two homes at the far southern end of Queen Street, which both flank the property.

Bob and Kathy Geckle paid $365,000 for the large white house at 35 Queen Street in early April. Mr Geckle grew up in the house and had a lifelong dream of moving back in.

Chris Boyce of Danbury purchased the first home from the town for $179,000 in late November, winning a three-way bidding war at a public auction put on by the town.

Nardi Tollkuci and his family paid $161,000 for the small house with the picturesque view at 55 Queen Street three weeks ago.

Herb Mortera purchased the house at 59 Queen Street for $150,000. He grew up at Fairfield Hills and admits he “bonded with these houses long ago.”

The homes once housed Fairfield Hills staff members, but have remained empty since 1989.

The town’s intention in purchasing the properties was to be able to control all future development on Queen Street. The properties were sold with deed restrictions requiring them to remain single-family units so no condos or apartments can be built there.