Date: Fri 30-Apr-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

council-Fairfield-Hills

Full Text:

Finance Panel Gets Serious About Fairfield Hills

BY STEVE BIGHAM

The Legislative Council's finance committee Tuesday said it supports the

purchase of the Fairfield Hills property -- in concept. However, members say

they will not fully support this proposed $10 million acquisition until they

are certain the town can handle the impact on its finances.

"We're trying to figure out what we can and cannot afford," said committee

chairman John Kortze. "I think that given the needs of the town, and the

location and space available at Fairfield Hills, we would be nuts not to work

up some sort of scenario to buy it. This is too good to not at least take a

look at."

The 186-acre core campus is currently up for sale by the state of Connecticut.

One of four competing private developers is expected to be selected for the

development of the property sometime this summer. However, Newtown will

ultimately be offered the right-of-first-refusal. Once that offer is made --

sometime in July or August -- the town will have just 105 days to decide if it

wants to buy the land or let the fate of the property be decided by an outside

developer.

The finance committee understands the financial burden that would come with

buying Fairfield Hills, especially in light of the town's existing debt and

$41 million worth of other capital projects "coming down the pike." However,

finance committee members like Donald Studley believe it can be done.

"There seems to be growing support for the property. If we can put our needs

into some coherent plan, perhaps we could do it all," he said this week. "We

have to give the purchase very serious consideration. It's an opportunity that

will only present itself to the town once."

The most feasible way to do it, according to Mr Studley, would be to purchase

the property and then use it to address the town's municipal space needs,

including a 5/6 school.

"If, for example, a 5/6 school could be built in one of those buildings, it

would seem to us that we probably could build a school for something less than

the $26 million estimated cost of a new, free standing school," Mr Studley

said. "It seems like if we got cooperation from all parties involved, there's

a possibility the town could end up owning Fairfield Hills and not incur any

more debt load."

The Board of Education appears to have its heart set on using the 22-acre

town-owned property across Mile Hill Road from Fairfield Hills. However,

school officials have indicated they are not interested in a school on the

site of the former state mental health hospital. For one thing, Superintendent

of Schools John R. Reed said, the state does not permit four-story schools.

But, as Mr Kortze pointed out this week, few of the buildings are four stories

tall.

"I can understand that we have a need for a 5/6 school and we made a

commitment as a council that we were behind this, but since we haven't built

it yet, and Fairfield Hills is presenting itself as a possibility, we need to

have the avenue be explored," Mr Kortze said.

Bond Issues

The Legislative Council plans to meet with the town's financial adviser from

People's Bank to determine the severity of the town's current financial

status.

"We want to find out what is the maximum amount the town can absorb without

damaging the town's financial situation," Mr Study said. "Is there a magic

number?"

The town can also try to match the costs with additional revenue, town

officials say. It all depends on the continued growth of the community.

Some residents have suggested the town purchase Fairfield Hills, keep the

buildings it needs for schools, municipal space and firehouse, then knock the

rest down. The open space left behind could be used for much-needed athletic

fields, nature trails, etc.

"We don't want to get involved in renovating those buildings other than for

our own uses," said Mr Studley.

Town officials say word from Hartford is the estimated $10 million cost may be

a little high. Plus, they say, these projects don't have to be done all at

once.

"Maybe we put a time line together and do one thing at a time. This will

spread the cost out," Mr Kortze said.

Last week, the town's Municipal Space Needs Committee officially recommended

that the town build a 23,000-square-foot addition to Edmond Town Hall.

However, that suggestion will need to be put on hold until the town decides

what to do with Fairfield Hills.