Date: Fri 21-Aug-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

selectmen-Fairfield-Hills

Full Text:

Town Will Make An Offer On State-Owned Queen St Homes

BY STEVE BIGHAM

The Board of Selectmen Monday authorized First Selectman Herb Rosenthal to

make an offer to the state for seven old homes and eight empty lots along

Queen Street.

The first selectman must now approach the state with a proposal by September

1.

The state-owned homes were once part of the Fairfield Hills campus, which

closed three years ago. The small homes were used to house staff members.

The state wants to sell them and offered Newtown the right of first refusal

earlier this year. The cost for the seven homes and eight lots could be in the

million dollar range.

Mr Rosenthal is expected to make a proposal to the state. However, it would be

on the condition that any deal receive the approval from the Legislative

Council, Planning & Zoning Commission and a town meeting. Purchase of the

properties is also contingent on a building inspection which Building Official

Tom Paternoster hoped to make this week. He will be looking for asbestos and

lead paint levels, as well as the condition of roofs, boilers, furnaces, etc.

Some town officials seem especially interested in purchasing the handful of

lots toward the northern end of Queen Street where the flatter land appears

usable for soccer fields.

The picturesque land behind the homes is actually open space owned by the

state Department of Agriculture.