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Torrington conservation commission authorizes use of open‑space funds to start due diligence on John Brown easement
Summary
The commission authorized staff to use open‑space funds to pay appraisal and other due‑diligence costs to apply for state and federal funding to secure a conservation easement on roughly 100 acres linked to the John Brown property; the state would reimburse allowable costs if the grant is awarded.
The Torrington Conservation Commission voted to authorize the use of commission-administered open‑space funds to pay initial due‑diligence costs needed to apply for a state and federal grant to purchase a conservation easement on the John Brown parcels.
The authorization, moved and seconded during the July 21 meeting, allows staff to pay for a ‘‘yellow book’’ appraisal, an appraisal review, a boundary survey and a title search so the city can submit a complete application to the state open‑space program. Staff said the state’s process flags encumbrances and that the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and the Torrington Historical Society are supportive; SHPO staff told the commission they would provide a favorable memo and could extinguish an existing archaeological preserve to make an easement more protective.
Why it matters: staff said the two parcels together could yield protection of roughly 100 acres when combined with adjacent protected water‑company land. Because Torrington is designated a distressed municipality, staff said the state would fully reimburse allowable due‑diligence expenses if the grant is approved — reducing financial risk for the city.
What officials said: Committee member (voice 3) described the grant process and the need to front limited costs: “We have to do the appraisal first, and we would submit that with the application… If we don't get the grant, we're out the appraisal cost.” The speaker summarized cost estimates discussed at the meeting: a survey for large parcels may run into the low tens of thousands of dollars in current market conditions, appraisals a few thousand, and title work a few hundred. The speaker told commissioners the commission’s open‑space account held about $22,000 and that the risk to the commission at the application stage would be limited to the appraisal if the grant were not funded.
Background and next steps: staff said SHPO and the Torrington Historical Society liked the proposal because the easement would provide stronger protection than the current archaeological preserve. The commission approved staff moving ahead to commission an appraisal so the city could meet the grant application requirements; staff will return with any firm cost estimates and paperwork needed to expend open‑space funds.
Outcome: the commission authorized the due‑diligence expenditure and the motion carried. Staff will pursue quotations for the appraisal and survey and will report back to the commission and seek reimbursement from the state if the grant is awarded.
