Date: Fri 20-Nov-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

council-rosenthal-rochman

Full Text:

Rochman Assures Council Backing Of Queen St Property Purchase

BY STEVE BIGHAM

The Legislative Council has yet to vote on the proposed purchase of state

property on Queen Street. However, First Selectman Herb Rosenthal expects

nothing less than an approval.

Mr Rosenthal said this week council chairman Pierre Rochman gave his assurance

that the council was in favor of purchasing the $1.2 million land.

"I don't think we would have gone forward if the Legislative Council didn't

have any intentions of funding it," Mr Rosenthal said.

Mr Rosenthal stated his expectations for an approval to the council in a

November 11 letter.

"I just put that in there to remind the council that there was no indication

there was opposition," he said.

Mr Rosenthal said he was hoping for more than just Mr Rochman's word. He would

have rather polled the entire council. However, the council went several weeks

without meeting. Mr Rosenthal had to make an offer to the state within a

certain time period, otherwise, the opportunity would have been lost

altogether.

Last spring, the state offered the town eight houses and six lots along Queen

Street. The homes, located on the western edge of the former Fairfield Hills

campus, once housed staff members who worked at the mental health institution.

Last week, the Planning & Zoning Commission endorsed the proposed purchase,

4-1. In October, the Board of Selectmen also approved the purchase, requesting

approval for a special appropriation by the council. The council will take it

up December 2.

Since Mr Rochman gave the first selectman his assurances, there have been

signs that the council may be having second thoughts about the purchase of the

properties. Council member Donald Studley seemed to have his doubts at a

finance meeting in late September. "Why are we buying it?" he wondered out

loud.

Earlier this week, Mr Rochman said the council remains in favor of the

purchase.

"Herb had some reservations at first. He feared the Legislative Council might

turn it down. He didn't want to be the one to charge forward," Mr Rochman

said. "I indicated to him that I thought the council was generally in favor of

buying the property."

Of course, there are no guarantees, Mr Rochman said. Each council member has a

mind of his or her own. However, "if we didn't make an offer, that's it. We

lose the opportunity to even consider it."

The state has indicated that there are others interested in the property. Last

week, Mr Rosenthal received a $2,000 check for deposit on one of the homes

from an out-of-town developer. It was promptly sent back.

Mr Rosenthal said he only wanted to purchase the land at first. It was council

members who suggested the town go after the entire property, including the

houses. Mr Rosenthal said that turned out to be a good idea. He only hopes

council members still feel the same way.

Mr Rochman said the finance committee will consider the Queen Street issue

before it goes to the full council.

If and when the council approves the purchase, the issue would go before the

taxpayers at a town meeting. If it passes there, the property would be

purchased through a special appropriation from the capital and non-recurring

reserve fund.