Is $610k Enough to Buy this House for Weston?

An old white colonial at the corner of Route 57 and Norfield Road has fallen into disrepair, but First Selectwoman Gayle Weinstein envisions the property as a corner piece to Weston's town hall campus. Some town officials say it could be used to house municipal offices, serve as a community center or be leased to a tenant for a commercial use — maybe as a restaurant.

Weinstein said any use, including any proposal to demolish the house, would be subject to the approval of the Historic District Commission due to the property's location.

On Tuesday night, voters approved a town purchase of the house by a narrow margin at a Town Meeting in the Weston Public Library's Community Room — but at a reduced price.

The owner, Fairfield County Bank, had originally wanted around $1 million for the house, which sits on one acre, before the Board of Selectman brought it down to $750,000 — a number the board felt comfortable bringing to voters, according to Weinstein. But a Town Meeting amendment to reduce the maximum offer by $140,000 (about half of the estimated cost of repairs the town would have to make), passed by a vote of 43-34.

Then voters approved allowing Weinstein to make an offer to the bank not to exceed $610,000 by a vote of 44-35.

"I want to thank everyone who came out to the Town Meeting, regardless of how they voted," Weinstein said. "I'm concerned the $750,000 was not approved. I will bring the $610,000 to the bank and see if we can come to an agreement."

Finance & Repairs

If the bank and the town can come to an agreement, the Board of Finance would then determine the "appropriate method of funding the purchase", according to the resolution approved by voters. This may include "use of the general fund balance, short or long term borrowing, temporary note issuance, supplemental appropriation, or any other appropriate source."

In addition to the purchase price of the house and land, $281,115 in cost estimates for repairs include $30,000 for a septic system, $107,850 for the roof over the house, $25,275 for the roof over the garage, $2,000 for the roof over the out-building, $57,990 to paint the interior of the first and second floor, and $58,000 to hire a mason to replace three chimneys.

By reducing the maximum offer from $750,000 to $610,000, the town will be asking the bank to fund half of the repair costs.

Spirited Debate

Opponents of a town purchase of the property argued that it didn't make sense to buy it when there is no plan in place for exactly how it would be used. There was talk of losing tax revenue from the property without private ownership at a time when a number of residents are struggling with high taxes.

One man doubted that $281,115 would cover the costs of all of the needed repairs. For instance, he said the well has not even been tested.

"I think we're rushing through it," he said. "That building's a disaster there that will cost a million dollars to fix. We're gonna vote on something that could potentially cost the town more than the building is worth. The bank should give it to us and do away with the bad loan."

But those who see the property as a gateway to Weston, offering future uses on a corner that will be gone forever if the town does not act now, won the night.

Maria Kalivas said she wants people to see a center piece for the town, rather than a crumbling old building that needs paint, when their vehicles are idling at the intersection of Route 57 and Norfield Road.

Nicholas Bell recalled instances when Weston had opportunities to acquire desirable properties over the years — including over four acres on Crystal Lake — and failed to act.

"I can't see something like this slipping through the fingers of the town," he said. "Approve this. Then the town can try to negotiate it down."