A motion that the Town Council has "an appetite to sell land" that has "no foreseeable use by the town" drew ayes and at least one no on a voice vote Oct. 13. No count was announced; the item closed with the note that the motion "is to proceed," to obtain further information. It names no parcels.
Town Manager David Cox showed about eight parcels in five groups that could be candidates, most acquired through tax sales and apparently buildable house lots. Before any sale, he said, staff would confirm title and buildability, and the sale would go through Planning and Zoning, the Board of Finance and a town meeting. One member objected to naming parcels in public, saying that belonged in executive session; Cox said the policy question was not a matter for executive session. Another said selling could put lots back on the tax rolls.
The Middle Haddam Association, through its attorney, Brian Corvo, asked the council on Aug. 11 whether the town would negotiate over the town-owned tennis court lot tied to the former Middle Haddam School. Corvo said there is no application. A layout discussed at the meeting, described as conceptual, showed 36 affordable housing units.
The council said it is not considering a sale. The town manager said one would need the council, Board of Finance approval, Planning and Zoning review, a purchase agreement and a town meeting.
A resident asks the town to keep the lot for a fire tank
Douglas Mackeown asked the council on Aug. 11 to keep the Middle Haddam tennis court lot and put a 50,000-gallon water tank under it for firefighting. He said five Middle Haddam houses have burned to the ground, three of them on Schoolhouse Lane, because firefighters could not get water fast enough. He did not say when the fires happened.
Later in the meeting a council member asked to hear whether the fire department sees a need for it.