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Commission reviews multiple potential acquisitions, appraisals and environmental flags including 80 Congress Street and Red Oak Road
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Summary
Commission staff updated on several parcels under consideration — including 80 Congress Street (appraisal pending, possible PCB/asbestos concerns), 240 Red Oak Road (title search/foreclosure work), and other riverfront and wetland properties — and discussed partnering with land trusts and conservation groups.
Commission staff reviewed the quarterly land‑acquisition worksheet and provided updates on multiple parcels the town is tracking.
Highlights included: an ongoing title search and authorized foreclosure for 240 Red Oak Road (Lower Associates LLC); a recent acquisition and title acceptance for 377 Riverside Drive (0.57 acres) on March 19; outreach to owners of properties near Bulkley Pond and Patton (including 3722 Post Road) with limited responses; and a large Laboe parcel (approximately 7 Fairfield acres) that remains of interest but difficult to negotiate.
Staff also briefed commissioners on 80 Congress Street, a 1.7‑acre riverfront parcel adjacent to the Mill River. Field appraisal work has taken place and the written appraisal is pending. Staff warned the parcel is in a FEMA floodway, may be partially undevelopable and may have legacy utility‑related features (concrete pads, possible PCB risk from transformers, and asbestos roof shingles). Commissioners agreed environmental site assessments (phase‑1 and possibly phase‑2) should follow appraisal results when contamination questions exist before the town proceeds with a purchase.
Commissioners discussed collaborating with local conservation partners including Aspenetuck (land trust), Trout Unlimited (which has a restoration plan for the Mill River reach), and Audubon for contiguous land protections and trail connectivity. Staff said Audubon-owned parcels and state land near the Mill River may offer opportunities for joint efforts or petitions to acquire state parcels when local control is appropriate.
Why it matters: the items reviewed would extend conserved riparian corridors and wetlands, protect river water quality and provide public access; several parcels have complications that require environmental and legal due diligence before acquisition.
No formal purchases were approved on April 28 beyond the previously described recommendation on Center Street; staff will continue title, appraisal and remediation investigations and return updates to the commission.
