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Middlefield exploratory panel to seek appraisal, draft letter of intent for possible church purchase
Summary
At a March 4 meeting, Middlefield's Church Exploratory Commission directed the First Selectman to obtain a formal appraisal and consult the town attorney to draft a letter of intent for a potential church-property purchase and said it will seek Board of Finance funding for an inspection and a Goman+York consultation.
The Church Exploratory Commission in Middlefield, Connecticut, agreed March 4 to pursue next steps toward a possible town purchase of a local church property, directing the First Selectman to obtain a formal appraisal and to work with the town attorney on a letter of intent.
The commission recorded that First Selectman Robert Yamartino would obtain the appraisal and that, after a letter of intent is drafted, the commission intends to ask the Board of Finance at a joint meeting with the Board of Selectmen for funding to pay for a full inspection of the property and for a consultation with Goman+York about potential uses and revenue from town-owned properties.
Carol Bufithis, identified in the minutes as a selectwoman and guest, addressed the commission during public comment and urged support for the purchase. According to the minutes, Bufithis said she was "a cheerleader of this potential buy for the church, the town, and the fiscal climate."
The meeting record shows the commission entered executive session from 4:12 p.m. to 5:20 p.m.; the minutes state that no motions were made and no votes were taken during that session. The commission completed routine business at the meeting: a motion to approve the Feb. 18, 2025 minutes was made by Cheryl Pizzo and seconded by John Giammatteo and approved unanimously with no abstentions.
Votes at a glance
- Approval of Feb. 18, 2025 minutes: motion by Cheryl Pizzo; seconded by John Giammatteo; approved unanimously; minutes state "no abstentions." Individual vote names were not recorded in the minutes.
- Adjournment: motion by Ken Twombly; seconded by Fran Gudelski; approved unanimously.
What happens next
The commission's minutes say the First Selectman will obtain an appraisal and consult with the town attorney to prepare a letter of intent for presentation to the Board of Finance at a joint meeting with the Board of Selectmen. If a letter of intent is approved in principle, the commission plans to request funding for a full inspection of the property and to hire Goman+York to study possible uses and income scenarios for town properties. The minutes do not specify timelines, dollar amounts, or a final decision on acquisition.
The commission adjourned at 5:31 p.m.
