City councilors gunned down proposals Tuesday to buy a house on Dutton Avenue and buildings behind City Hall owned by the Lepore family
But it remains possible the city will reconsider the purchase of the 15 Dutton Ave. house owned by the Bevivino family, though probably not for the $218,000 price set by a judge early in 2008.
Councilors said they would not have considered the purchase had they known of an appraisal that set the house’s value $43,000 below the judicial decree’s figure, a document disclosed recently by The Bristol Press.
“We’re not going to pay $218,000,” city Councilor Cliff Block said, since the appraisal set the value at $175,000.
Councilors sent the Dutton Avenue issue back to committee to figure out what, if anything, the city should do next.
The proposed purchase of the Lepore property, which councilors backed several years ago, was unanimously rejected this time.
“We are not interested in purchasing it,” said city Councilor Frank Nicastro, who heads the Real Estate Committee.
Independent mayoral candidate Gary Lawton was among those urging the city to keep its hands off the Dutton Avenue property, which is embroiled in a family dispute.
“Why are we getting in the middle of a family squabble?” Lawton asked. “We really need to let that house alone.”
Michael Dudko, a member of the Bugryn family who fought unsuccessfully to prevent the city from seizing land for an industrial park, said the city “does take advantage of family situations” to get property it desires.
He said the house on Dutton Avenue is “not important” for neighboring Rockwell Park and should be allowed to remain in private hands.
City Councilor Ken Cockayne said the city “can’t afford” to pursue the house until better times. He was the only councilor to vote to kill the proposal outright. The rest agreed to send it back to the three-person real estate panel.
Nicastro said councilors have tried hard to avoid becoming embroiled in the family’s disagreement that was spurred by the desire of one of four siblings to buy the house. She offered $175,000 to her brothers and sisters last week, but it was apparently rejected.
Jan Bevivino, who wants to buy the house, urged the city to abandon any thought of buying the place.
“Why don’t you just back out now?” she yelled from the audience as councilors discussed the issue.
Nicastro expressed disappointment that the rest of her family or their attorney were not present to join the debate.
He said it would be fine with him if the family opted to sell the house to Jan Bevivino.
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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Showing posts with label Lepore property. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lepore property. Show all posts
September 9, 2009
August 20, 2009
City may yet buy the Lepore property on Meadow Street
The city is once again considering whether to buy Meadow Street property behind City Hall that could be used for parking or future expansion.
Though it appears unlikely the city will agree to purchase the property from the Lepore property, the Real Estate Committee recently urged councilors to consider it.
“I still oppose it, but this is a democracy,” said city Councilor Frank Nicastro, who heads the real estate panel.
The Lepore family asked the city to reconsider its opposition to the purchase and Nicastro’s committee agreed to let the council debate the issue.
City councilors agreed in 2004 to pay $309,900 for the 73-75 Meadow St. property, which could provide room for about 23 parking spaces behind City Hall.
But the Board of Finance gunned down the plan when it learned the city would have spend another $150,000 or more to demolish the buildings and construct the lot.
Twice since then, the council has taken up the proposal again, each time rejecting the proposed purchase, the last time on a unanimous 2007 vote.
However, before turning it aside, the council had another vote in which it asked then-Mayor William Stortz to try to negotiate a better deal with the Lepores. Backers said the city may need the property someday.
They argued the city is short of parking,, storage and office space for its workforce.
Nicastro said that the possible closure of the courthouse, located above the police department next door to City Hall, would free up a lot of space the city could use more easily.
Nicastro, who also serves as a state representative, said he hopes to keep the courthouse open as part of the next state budget, but acknowledged the effort could fall short.
The council will likely take up the issue at its September 8 meeting.
*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Though it appears unlikely the city will agree to purchase the property from the Lepore property, the Real Estate Committee recently urged councilors to consider it.
“I still oppose it, but this is a democracy,” said city Councilor Frank Nicastro, who heads the real estate panel.
The Lepore family asked the city to reconsider its opposition to the purchase and Nicastro’s committee agreed to let the council debate the issue.
City councilors agreed in 2004 to pay $309,900 for the 73-75 Meadow St. property, which could provide room for about 23 parking spaces behind City Hall.
But the Board of Finance gunned down the plan when it learned the city would have spend another $150,000 or more to demolish the buildings and construct the lot.
Twice since then, the council has taken up the proposal again, each time rejecting the proposed purchase, the last time on a unanimous 2007 vote.
However, before turning it aside, the council had another vote in which it asked then-Mayor William Stortz to try to negotiate a better deal with the Lepores. Backers said the city may need the property someday.
They argued the city is short of parking,, storage and office space for its workforce.
Nicastro said that the possible closure of the courthouse, located above the police department next door to City Hall, would free up a lot of space the city could use more easily.
Nicastro, who also serves as a state representative, said he hopes to keep the courthouse open as part of the next state budget, but acknowledged the effort could fall short.
The council will likely take up the issue at its September 8 meeting.
*******
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
September 5, 2007
City Council, live, part 4
Now they're talking about possible property purchases.
Mayor William Stortz said he's bringing up Lepore property behind City Hall for discussion.
Frank Nicastro said council already voted 4-2 not to pursue it. That was in July.
Stortz said City Hall is "running short of space" and acquiring space may alleviate space woes and perhaps make it possible to combine fire inspection and building inspection in one area.
The mayor said a bigger lot is for sale than before that includes office building and homes. Moving the building office there would give it 25 percent more space than it has now, the mayor said.
Initial inspection found the building sound, the mayor said. Some renovations would be needed, he said.
The mayor is asking if city is interested in talking about it.
Art Ward said that by pursuing it, "we're Band-Aiding the situation. It's coming back again to ... how many things we're going to have on our plate."
Ward said that with mall redevelopment, this area of downtown may be more commercially desireable. "I would be looking for more permanent locations," Ward said.
The mayor agrees it is a Band-Aid in some ways but could be worthwhile for four or five years.
Nobody wants to pursue. No vote.
Now talking about the Chic Miller property. Recently sold under foreclosure, the mayor said. "We have been unable to find out what the price was," he said.
"It is available" and could be used to replace Engine 1, Stortz said.
Or it could be used for an additional firehouse with more emergency equipment, he said. Could also be a new police facility or a combination public safety buiding, Stortz said.
"It could have an awful lot of possibilities," Stortz said, even using it for vehicle maintenance by public works.
"It has a lot of potential uses. Depending on the price, it could be worthwhile," Stortz said.
There is interest by developers in buying firehouse. Renovating existing one is $2.1 million, at a minimum, and a new one is about $3.5 million, the mayor said.
Asking if council wants him to pursue more information.
Nicastro said, "We have an awful lot on our plate." He also said we don't have a plan for this property. "We're taking a valuable piece of property off the tax rolls if we buy it," Nicastro said.
Nicastro called it a "nice piece of property, commercially zoned" and said it would be "wrong" to purchase it without a real plan.
"We're taking too much off the tax rolls and the taxpayers don't deserve that," Nicastro said.
Minor said he would like to hear from fire and police chiefs about it.
Ward said there have been general discussions among fire officials, but nothing formal. He said it's not much closer to southwestern corner than the central firehouse.
"I would be in favor of continuing discussions or looking into potentials" for the site, Ward said.
Minor said it likely won't be available for long.
Stortz asked if the council wants a more complete report in a couple of weeks if officials are interested in exploring it.
The mayor said police department says it is running out of space, too.
Ward said we spent $4 million in police renovations a decade ago. Southington built new one recently for $7 million.
So, Ward said, he would like a more in-depth report in the future.
Zoppo wondered why we don't know the sale price.
"We've asked around. Even the real estate people aren't aware of the details," Stortz said.
City attorney Edward Krawiecki said city had a foreclosure action pending but Chic Miller and a bank had a deal a couple of years ago. In court, they entered into agreement with blank deed to be held in escrow by trustee in bankruptcy. The trustee could fill in the blank with buyer.
Krawiecki said bank had rights to the deed. He said the city thinks part of new owner's deal was that he had to pay our taxes so $290k in back taxes paid. Not sure what other numbers were a part of it. The bank attorney said his client doesn't want to disclose terms.
"I continue to nudge him," Krawiecki said.
"It would be interesting to know the price," the mayor said, but the city would offer what it's worth.
Nicastro asked about environmental studies of the property.
Krawiecki said a preliminary environmental report done six years ago and found minimal concerns. But it was not a formal phase one study.
Nicastro said he is "very cautious" about that.
"We don't have a plan in place. We're moving in the wrong direction," Nicastro said.
Stortz said he agrees we should have a plan. "I can't disagree with that," the mayor said.
But, he said, he felt obligated to raise the issue so council could decide whether to look into it.
Ward made a motion to have the mayor keep looking into it. Rimcoski seconded it.
Stortz, Rimcoski and Ward voted yes.
Minor, Zoppo and Nicastro voted no.
So the motion failed.
Adjourned.
*******
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Mayor William Stortz said he's bringing up Lepore property behind City Hall for discussion.
Frank Nicastro said council already voted 4-2 not to pursue it. That was in July.
Stortz said City Hall is "running short of space" and acquiring space may alleviate space woes and perhaps make it possible to combine fire inspection and building inspection in one area.
The mayor said a bigger lot is for sale than before that includes office building and homes. Moving the building office there would give it 25 percent more space than it has now, the mayor said.
Initial inspection found the building sound, the mayor said. Some renovations would be needed, he said.
The mayor is asking if city is interested in talking about it.
Art Ward said that by pursuing it, "we're Band-Aiding the situation. It's coming back again to ... how many things we're going to have on our plate."
Ward said that with mall redevelopment, this area of downtown may be more commercially desireable. "I would be looking for more permanent locations," Ward said.
The mayor agrees it is a Band-Aid in some ways but could be worthwhile for four or five years.
Nobody wants to pursue. No vote.
Now talking about the Chic Miller property. Recently sold under foreclosure, the mayor said. "We have been unable to find out what the price was," he said.
"It is available" and could be used to replace Engine 1, Stortz said.
Or it could be used for an additional firehouse with more emergency equipment, he said. Could also be a new police facility or a combination public safety buiding, Stortz said.
"It could have an awful lot of possibilities," Stortz said, even using it for vehicle maintenance by public works.
"It has a lot of potential uses. Depending on the price, it could be worthwhile," Stortz said.
There is interest by developers in buying firehouse. Renovating existing one is $2.1 million, at a minimum, and a new one is about $3.5 million, the mayor said.
Asking if council wants him to pursue more information.
Nicastro said, "We have an awful lot on our plate." He also said we don't have a plan for this property. "We're taking a valuable piece of property off the tax rolls if we buy it," Nicastro said.
Nicastro called it a "nice piece of property, commercially zoned" and said it would be "wrong" to purchase it without a real plan.
"We're taking too much off the tax rolls and the taxpayers don't deserve that," Nicastro said.
Minor said he would like to hear from fire and police chiefs about it.
Ward said there have been general discussions among fire officials, but nothing formal. He said it's not much closer to southwestern corner than the central firehouse.
"I would be in favor of continuing discussions or looking into potentials" for the site, Ward said.
Minor said it likely won't be available for long.
Stortz asked if the council wants a more complete report in a couple of weeks if officials are interested in exploring it.
The mayor said police department says it is running out of space, too.
Ward said we spent $4 million in police renovations a decade ago. Southington built new one recently for $7 million.
So, Ward said, he would like a more in-depth report in the future.
Zoppo wondered why we don't know the sale price.
"We've asked around. Even the real estate people aren't aware of the details," Stortz said.
City attorney Edward Krawiecki said city had a foreclosure action pending but Chic Miller and a bank had a deal a couple of years ago. In court, they entered into agreement with blank deed to be held in escrow by trustee in bankruptcy. The trustee could fill in the blank with buyer.
Krawiecki said bank had rights to the deed. He said the city thinks part of new owner's deal was that he had to pay our taxes so $290k in back taxes paid. Not sure what other numbers were a part of it. The bank attorney said his client doesn't want to disclose terms.
"I continue to nudge him," Krawiecki said.
"It would be interesting to know the price," the mayor said, but the city would offer what it's worth.
Nicastro asked about environmental studies of the property.
Krawiecki said a preliminary environmental report done six years ago and found minimal concerns. But it was not a formal phase one study.
Nicastro said he is "very cautious" about that.
"We don't have a plan in place. We're moving in the wrong direction," Nicastro said.
Stortz said he agrees we should have a plan. "I can't disagree with that," the mayor said.
But, he said, he felt obligated to raise the issue so council could decide whether to look into it.
Ward made a motion to have the mayor keep looking into it. Rimcoski seconded it.
Stortz, Rimcoski and Ward voted yes.
Minor, Zoppo and Nicastro voted no.
So the motion failed.
Adjourned.
*******
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
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