On Tuesday, June 21, New Fairfield’s Permanent Building Committee (PBC) held a special meeting to discuss next steps regarding the Consolidated bus lot and property plan. The committee members spent over two hours in Executive Session that was described as reviewing “legal matters” with town attorney Mr. Neil Marcus, First Selectman Ms. Pat Del Monaco, and Colliers and JCJ Architecture representatives. PBC Chair Mr. Don Kellogg emerged from the session with a motion to, “take necessary steps to appeal the decision of the Zoning Commission to deny the site plan application for the school bus lot at 302 Ball Pond Road,” which passed unanimously.
Kellogg requested that Del Monaco move the process forward. Marcus said, “I will work with the First Selectman in coming up with a plan to put this into motion…I will follow up when required by the Zoning Commission to gather their side in defense of the appeal because they’re certainly entitled to that.” He commended the PBC on “the sincerity and the depth in which you have analyzed the positions and asked me to provide you with the information to do that. And the decision you’ve made is certainly never going to be accused of being frivolous or without a lot of forethought because you guys have done it. I appreciate that.”
To move the site forward, the PBC agreed to proceed with the demolition of the entire Consolidated building. “I think there may be a misconception around town about the actual conditions of the structure,” Kellogg said, going on to say, “…and the potential costs associated with it.”
To punctuate the need for the demolition, the PBC invited the school’s Buildings & Grounds Director Mr. Phil Ross to speak about the condition of the school. Ross acknowledged that it would be possible to renovate the building, but it would “take significant money.” He explained that only keeping the newer section would be tough for a variety of reasons, primarily because the electrical stems from the oldest portion. “Can Consolidated be used for some other purpose?” he asked, “Sure, we just finished a school year in there…it’s all about what kind of standard are you willing to accept? But you’re going to have to invest monies into that building before too long.” He stressed his opinion that, “It’s not a monument. It’s not this classic facility, you know built at a great time. The town has gotten its money’s worth out of it.”
Ross conceded that the newest portion of the building has improved construction, including more masonry and steel, rather than the wood frame of the earliest portions, but it would need a new roof, windows, and siding. He also pointed out the major septic issues on the property, saying “I don’t think you can house a lot of people in there without having issues with water and with the septic.”
The PBC agreed that the building would take a significant effort and money to save. In the end, Kellogg directed the architects to wrap up any remaining plans for the demolition and for all parties to move forward.
The Permanent Building Committee met again on Tuesday, June 28. Their next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 12, 7:30 p.m.
By Sarah Opdahl