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Council members raise concerns about new sidewalks, Midgen Avenue redevelopment and Yankee Pedler petition
Summary
Councilors flagged early deterioration of newly installed school sidewalks, discussed marketing the Midgen Avenue facility for redevelopment, and heard that the Torrington Development Corporation will file a petition related to the Yankee Pedler property in Superior Court.
Council members raised multiple infrastructure and property-development issues during the meeting, including reports of newly installed sidewalks showing early peeling, plans to market the Midgen Avenue facility for competitive development, and news of an impending legal petition concerning the Yankee Pedler property.
Council member comments said they had observed sections of newly constructed sidewalks already peeling and coming apart, including sidewalks installed recently for board of education projects. Members asked staff what contractor responsibility and repairs would be pursued; the meeting record says staff will investigate responsibilities and that the issue is citywide as well as school-related. One council member noted salt application and construction application methods as possible contributors to the damage, and asked for follow-up with the board of education and contractors.
On Midgen Avenue, staff reported the Planning and Zoning Commission offered findings consistent with the plan of conservation and development and referred the matter to the city council; the council directed staff to put the property on the market for competitive development. Staff said they will consider issuing a request for qualifications to attract developer proposals and that there is not a specified timeline for sale.
The Torrington Development Corporation is preparing a petition for Superior Court Judge Lynch related to the Yankee Pedler property. Staff said the petition could be filed in the next two to three weeks and that, after filing, a 30-day statutory period requires the petition be shared with the defendant, who has opportunity to respond. The council said it hopes the property will return to the tax rolls if redevelopment occurs.
No formal council action was recorded on sidewalks or Midgen Avenue during the meeting; the council did vote to proceed with the Midgen Avenue marketing direction as part of prior referral and staff implementation steps.
