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Council discusses future of 121 West Main Street, asks staff to check purchasing rules and moves to closed session
Summary
Fairfield council members discussed maintenance and possible subdivision and sale of town-owned property at 121 West Main Street, including a proposed $45/week mowing contract with the mayor's son, asked staff to review purchasing rules for conflicts of interest and then voted to enter a closed session to discuss pending or imminent litigation.
Fairfield Town Council members spent a portion of their regular meeting discussing future uses and maintenance of town-owned property at 121 West Main Street and then voted to move the meeting into a closed session to discuss pending or reasonably imminent litigation.
Council discussion focused on short-term upkeep and longer-term disposition of the property. One participant said the town needs lawn care and that the mayor’s son, Tristan, who runs a landscaping company, told the mayor he would mow the parcel for $45 a week. Council members noted the lot lacks an irrigation system and that watering and mowing will be recurring needs.
Several council members discussed options including using the house as a temporary office if needed, subdividing the parcel and selling part of it, and preserving an existing road easement to maintain separate park and town-hall access. A participant said many structural systems (water heater, air-conditioning and roof) are new but noted the main electrical service panel likely needs an upgrade, which was estimated in the discussion at about $4,000.
During the discussion a participant asked staff to check the town’s purchasing policy to verify whether contracting with a relative of an elected official would be permitted if the relationship is disclosed. Council members asked staff to verify applicable rules before any contract is awarded. Members also directed getting the parcel surveyed and subdivided so the town could preserve an acre for zoning requirements while offering the remainder for sale, if that remains the preference.
After completing consent and other administrative matters, a council member made a motion to close the regular meeting at 8:31 a.m.; the motion was seconded and voice votes were recorded in favor. The council then made a separate motion to temporarily recess to a closed meeting for a strategy session to discuss pending or reasonably imminent litigation; that motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.
No formal decision to sell or to award a landscaping contract was recorded in the public portion of the meeting. The discussion produced directions to staff to check procurement rules, pursue a subdivision survey (to be coordinated with Kent, as mentioned in the discussion), and to return with any required documentation or recommendations at a future public meeting.
