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Shelton mayor urges purchase of 276 Levenworth Road to keep land in public hands
Summary
Mayor Mark A. Larretti defended the city's plan to acquire 276 Levenworth Road and described it as consistent with decades of open-space purchases; public commenters and aldermen raised procedural concerns after Planning & Zoning denied a zoning change for part of the parcel.
Mayor Mark A. Larretti on Tuesday urged the Board of Aldermen to keep the 5.3-acre Beersley parcel at 276 Levenworth Road under municipal control, saying city ownership would preserve agricultural uses and connect adjacent open-space parcels.
Larretti, who moved discussion of the purchase out of executive session and into the open, said the city has purchased more than 2,000 acres in the White Hills area over the past 35 years and that controlling the land protects its destiny. "When the city is in control, we control the destiny," he said, arguing that piecemeal zoning changes or private development could undermine long-term preservation goals.
The topic drew public comment from Dan Beardsley, who told the aldermen he has a sales agreement for two acres of the five-acre parcel that includes a house, barn and outbuildings. Beardsley said his family has farmed the land for 177 years and that the house needs $300,000–$400,000 in repairs; he asked the board to consider selling that two-acre parcel to him so he can restore it and continue agricultural uses.
Mark Connelly, a longtime resident and emergency-services volunteer, did not oppose preservation but raised procedural questions about the Planning & Zoning Commission's handling of an 824 referral and whether state FOI posting rules and voting thresholds were followed when the referral was considered.
Larretti said the city previously tried to buy the property and has since negotiated an agreed price for the entire parcel; he showed aldermen a map and described multiple conservation and recreational uses the city might pursue, including school partnerships and agricultural programs. He suggested alternatives to outright sale, such as long-term land leases that would allow private investment while keeping development rights under city control.
The board did not vote on the purchase during the meeting. Larretti said he will present numbers and further details in executive session and that the matter will return for a final decision. The transcript records the mayor's presentation and public comments but does not include a final vote or the purchase contract language.
Context and next steps: Planning & Zoning recently denied a zone change that Beardsley said affects his purchase contract; Larretti said the denial and the potential carving of smaller lots created uncertainty. The mayor said the administration will continue pursuing acquisition consistent with Shelton's long-term open-space strategy and will discuss acquisition details in executive session before seeking a final vote.
