State Extends

Fairfield Hills Deadline

The State of Connecticut has agreed to extend the deadline for the completion of negotiations over Fairfield Hills with the town. The original deadline had been Sunday, December 31. However, the complicated issue has forced both sides to move talks into 2001.

The state has offered to sell the 185-acre property to Newtown “as is” for $5.5 million. The negotiations are centering around the offering price and the existing environmental contamination on the site. Mr Rosenthal, the town’s chief negotiator, last met with state officials just before Christmas. His legal team includes Cohen & Wolfe, the town’s general counsel; Pinney, Payne, Vanlenten, Burrell, Wolfe and Dillman of Danbury; and Robinson & Cole of Hartford, the last of which is working on the environmental law issues. In addition, Fuss & O’Neil, an engineering firm, is examining the site’s sewer and water infrastructure.

Total remediation of asbestos, lead paint, and other hazards from the buildings is estimated at $10 million, although some residents say that number could actually be much higher. Mr Rosenthal says a developer would likely incur some of those costs if the town buys the property.

A second negotiating deadline has not been set.