Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Property Sales topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City council approves sale of 403 Torringtonford West Street to buyer who offered $30,000
Summary
After a public hearing and abutter outreach, Torrington’s City Council voted June 17 to sell a city-owned lot at 403 Torringtonford West Street to Paul Mitchell for $30,000; proceeds will go to the Blake Fund.
The Torrington City Council voted June 17 to authorize the sale of a vacant city-owned parcel at 403 Torringtonford West Street (Map Block Lot 133008022) for $30,000. The city received a signed contract and a $3,000 deposit from purchaser Paul Mitchell before the council vote.
Why the sale was on the agenda
Corporation Counsel Michael Magistrale explained the parcel’s history: the house on the property burned in an arson years earlier, the city demolished the structure and placed a lien for demolition costs, and the owner later conveyed the property to the city via a warranty deed in lieu of foreclosure. The property is currently a vacant lot with an existing garage structure that did not burn.
Public hearing and abutter outreach
State law requires a public hearing unless the property was acquired through foreclosure or the parcel’s valuation is $10,000 or less. Because neither exception applied, the city held a hearing and published notice. City staff said they mailed letters to abutting owners giving them an opportunity to acquire and merge the parcel; no abutting property owners responded. An earlier auction attempt drew no bids.
Council action and funding
The council moved and seconded the sale authorization, held a roll-call vote with members recorded as voting in favor, and approved the sale. Corporation Counsel will proceed to closing; net proceeds will be returned to the city’s Blake Fund.
Ending
Council members cited the city’s outreach effort to abutters and the property’s background as blight remediation leading to municipal title. The sale concluded a lengthy ownership sequence rooted in demolition and enforcement actions, and staff will finalize the closing.
