Tolland schedules March 3 public meeting after residents raise concerns about possible juvenile facility at 303 Merrill Road

The Tolland Town Council voted unanimously on Feb. 24 to hold a special public meeting at 6 p.m. on March 3 so residents can provide input about a potential state purchase of 303 Merrill Road and any proposed juvenile facility for the site.

Multiple residents urged the council to provide an open forum. Andy Powell, a resident of 21 Clearbrook Drive, criticized the process by which the state reportedly selected the parcel and said a secure juvenile facility would harm the town’s primary economic-development and affordable-housing area. “It’s gonna be a lockdown environment … To have that place in the town in its greatest economic development area and also its best area in regards to housing, including affordable housing, is absolutely wrong,” Powell said.

Town Manager told the council that, to date, the state had not engaged residents or local stakeholders. “To this point, the state of Connecticut has not engaged in any talks with any residents, any stakeholders, any of us here in town. This would be the first step in discussing this in an open forum for our residents,” the town manager said.

A councilor moved to set the special meeting, the motion was seconded, and the council approved it by roll-call vote. Vice Chair and other councilors encouraged residents to attend and asked staff to secure a venue large enough for turnout and to provide accurate, timely information to the public.

The meeting was scheduled as a public meeting (not a formal public hearing); the town manager and council said it is intended to gather community input and clarify facts about the proposal. The council did not take any formal position on the state’s potential purchase during the Feb. 24 session.