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Norwich council approves sale, listings and offers to conserve city parcels; Avalonia Land Conservancy to be offered parcel
Summary
The Norwich City Council on Oct. 6 approved multiple real-estate actions, including a $95,000 purchase-and-sale agreement for 35 Elizabeth Street, a listing authorization for 10 East Pratt Avenue, and a resolution to offer a parcel to Avalonia Land Conservancy, all by 6-0 votes.
The Norwich City Council on Oct. 6 approved a set of municipal real-estate actions and related appointments with unanimous votes.
Key votes and outcomes:
- The council authorized and amended a purchase-and-sale agreement for 35 Elizabeth Street. The sum inserted into the resolution was $95,000; the buyer listed in the amended resolution is Carlos A. McCrae of West Hartford. The motion to amend and the final resolution passed by roll call, each recorded as 6-0.
- The council authorized the city manager to enter into a real estate listing agreement for 10 East Pratt Avenue. The resolution was adopted by roll call, vote 6-0.
- The council adopted a resolution to offer a city-owned parcel to Avalonia Land Conservancy, Inc.; if Avalonia declines, the resolution authorizes the tax collector to offer the property to abutting property owners. The motion to bring the resolution to the floor and the final adoption were recorded as 6-0.
- The council received a petition and communication updating review of city-owned real estate and adopted routine motions (minutes, bank list changes, discontinuation of various committees) during the meeting; those votes were unanimous where recorded.
- The council appointed Paul Butcher as an alternate member of the Zoning Board of Appeals by roll call vote, 6-0.
Public comment and disclosure: Alana Sherman, who identified herself as a resident of 65 Cedar Street and a member of the board of Avalonia Land Conservancy, addressed the council about the Avalonia resolution. Sherman thanked the council for considering conveying a parcel that abuts Hunter Brook Preserve and quoted the Connecticut Land Conservation Council on the public-health benefits of open space: “it defends against extreme weather, improves the physical and mental health of adults and children, protects critical habitats, removes airborne pollutants, and filters drinking water.”
Conflict-of-interest disclosure: Alderman Van Cort disclosed he lives in the neighborhood near the Avalonia parcel and stated he believed there was no financial conflict; he did not recuse.
Executive session: Later in the meeting the council moved into an executive session under statutory authority cited in the record (Connecticut General Statutes §1-200 and §1-210(b)(5)) to discuss the acquisition or disposition of real estate and related confidential commercial and financial information. Participants asked to attend included City Manager John Salamone, Comptroller Joshua Pather, Kevin Brown (president, Norwich Community Development Corporation), Director of Public Works Brian Long, and Corporation Counsel Michael Driscoll. The public record states no votes were taken during the executive session.
Why it matters: The actions change ownership and marketing status for city property, open a parcel for conservation transfer to a land trust with a contingency for abutting-owner purchase, and fill a vacancy on the zoning appeals board. The actions also set the stage for any final closings or further council approvals required by statute or municipal policy.
Next steps: The city manager and relevant staff will proceed with the sale/listing/offer processes and any required follow-up actions; closings and MOA or sale documents were not executed on the council floor during the Oct. 6 meeting and will follow administrative processes.
