Council authorizes manager to finalize acquisition of landlocked South River Road parcel

The Tolland Town Council voted to authorize the town manager to finalize acquisition of a landlocked parcel on South River Road.

Staff told the council the property had been put out to auction and a bidder forfeited their deposit after discovering the parcel was landlocked. Staff said reacquiring the parcel will allow the town to return it to productive use and potentially sell it to an adjacent property owner, which would restore the parcel to the tax rolls.

Councilors said the effort was consistent with earlier land acquisition and open‑space policy decisions tied to the parcel’s history. The council held a public hearing, closed it with no public comment on the record, then adopted the resolution by roll call.

Why it matters: The town’s reacquisition aims to recover a parcel that cannot be developed without an access interest, get the property back on the tax rolls and avoid ongoing costs associated with holding a small, unused parcel. Staff said the town expects to pursue sale to a neighboring owner to return the parcel to taxable status.