Community Corner

Town Approves Extension in Primus Property Negotiations

Efforts to purchase the 25-acre parcel along the Quinnipiac River leave leaders hopeful that a state grant for the $2.4 million purchase price could be imminent.

The deadline is quickly approaching for the town to retain the Primus property along Farmstead Road as open space, but a maneuver by the Monday night has secured additional time and may allow the town to receive state grants to pay for the acquisition.

The council voted unanimously Monday to approve a $15,000 cost that would grant an extension in negotiations, with the money eventually going to the purchase price for the property according to Town Attorney Mark Sciota.

“This will allow us to extend the deadline from Sept. 30 to Dec. 31,” Sciota said. “In this case, we are hopeful that the state will be able to kick in all but $60,000 towards the purchase price.”

The purchase price for the property is approximately $2.4 million.

A court settlement in May 2010 had led to plans for 78 condominium units to be built on the 25-acre property located on the Quinnipiac River. Development plans were put on hold, however, when the town reached an agreement with Primus Trust last year to negotiate the sale of the property to the state or town as open space.

The town got the state involved in negotiations after appealing to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to consider that an undeveloped parcel would help filter groundwater to a nearby water well and serve to help control flooding along Mill Street.

Town Manager Garry Brumback said Monday that the town officially submitted a grant application with the state 60 days ago and has been in contact with the Governor’s office.

“We are confident that they want this done as much as the town does,” Brumback said. “We’ve had good support from our entire delegation.”

In Other Notes…
Monday’s meeting also allowed Town Council members to take care of other business, one of which was important for the neighbors in the Misery Brook Watershed Area where six homes on Stonegate Road have had problems with sewerage back-ups during the past five years.

The Board voted unanimously to award a bid for sewer work to the National Water Main Cleaning Co. in the amount of $168,268.95.

“It’s a reputable company that has been in business for 40 years,” said Town Councilman Peter Romano.

Work is expected to be complete before winter.


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