Council approves right-of-way exchange to maintain public access near proposed solar site; members reiterate opposition to state siting decisions

The Torrington City Council on Aug. 4 authorized the mayor to sign documents to release the city’s interest in one right of way and accept a different right of way in exchange, a measure the council said is intended to preserve public access to parkland while correcting parcel references and maintaining an appropriate buffer between city property and nearby private parcels.

The item followed an executive-session discussion. When the motion was read in open session the mayor and council clarified map and parcel numbers; the motion was then amended on the floor to list the correct map/lot identifiers before the vote. The corrected action authorized the mayor to execute documents releasing the city’s right of way described on map/lot 222-004-026 in exchange for a right of way across map/lot 221-003-001 and 221-004-026 (as read into the record). The motion passed by roll call.

Several council members used the discussion to restate opposition to nearby large-scale solar installations and to criticize the state siting process. One councilor called the state’s siting council’s authority "an abomination of the whole idea of local control," and council members noted that earlier legislative efforts to give municipalities more local oversight were vetoed at the state level. The mayor and other members emphasized that this exchange is separate from the state siting approvals: "This measure is not for or against the solar farms… This is just simply moving the right away to provide us an access," a council member said.

Council members and residents also raised practical questions about whether the new right of way would be roughed in and accessible for emergency vehicles; attendees urged the city to ensure any access is usable by fire and public-safety personnel. A resident asked that the city engineer and staff confirm whether the new right of way will provide functional access and suggested the city require a rough-in so emergency vehicles can reach the area.

Ending: The council approved the corrected right-of-way exchange to secure city access and asked staff to ensure the practical utility of the new route for emergency and maintenance access. The discussion reaffirmed council concern about solar siting authority at the state level but treated the exchange as a municipal access measure.