ENFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A PUBLIC HEARING
MONDAY, MAY 3, 2010
A Public Hearing was called to order by Chairman Kaupin in the Council Chamber of the Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut on Monday, May 3, 2010 at 6:55 p.m.
ROLL-CALL – Present were Councilmen Bosco, Dumont, Hall, Kaupin, Keller, Lee and Nelson. Councilmen Crowley, Edgar, Kiner and Mangini were absent. Also present were Town Manager, Matthew Coppler; Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni; Town Clerk, Suzanne Olechnicki; Town Attorney, Kevin Deneen
Chairman Kaupin read the notice of Public Hearing, which was published in the Hartford Courant on Friday, April 23 , 2010 as follows:
TOWN OF ENFIELD
LEGAL NOTICE - PUBLIC HEARING
MONDAY, MAY 3, 2010
The Enfield Town Council will hold a Public Hearing in the Enfield Town Hall Council Chambers, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut on Monday, May 3, 2010 at 6:45 p.m. to allow interested citizens an opportunity to express their opinions regarding sale of the parcel of land commonly known as Lot 110 Bernardino Avenue.
Chairman Kaupin announced the ground rules for the Public Hearing.
Joseph Grigaitis, 6 Leon Street
Stated the back corner of his property abuts this lot, and in the past he attempted to acquire this lot. He noted in January he received a letter from Piya Hawkes regarding encroachments, and he was instructed to remove flowers he planted on this lot, and that was done.. He pointed out he has been maintaining this vacant lot for the past 17 years. He explained this lot is higher than his own lot, therefore, they built a retaining wall. He spoke with Mr. Hawkes, and they came to an agreement on the retaining wall.
Mr. Grigaitis stated in 2005 he attempted to purchase this lot. He pointed out there were three pieces of property within a half a mile of each other, which were basically the same size as this lot. He noted the other properties had starting bids of $1,000, another $5,000, and this particular pieces has a starting bid of $20,000, which he believes is a little high. He noted he made an offer, but never heard anything back until he received the letter from Mr. Hawkes in January.
Mr. Coppler stated the Council will be considering a resolution, which would authorize the sale of this lot. He noted this will be done at the same time as the Sword Avenue properties, and this would be by auction at the site. He pointed out the auction date is May 28th.
Mr. Grigaitis stated when he received the letter concerning the encroachments, he also received a map with a plot plan for a house that someone was attempting to build on this piece of property. He voiced concern about someone placing an undesirable house on this lot, which will draw the wrong element. He pointed out this property has only 50 feet of frontage, and the only place in Enfield that can use 50 feet of frontage is downtown Thompsonville Village.
Mr. Coppler stated his understanding 50 feet of frontage is a buildable lot. Chairman Kaupin stated this is a grandfathered lot that allows for 50 feet of frontage.
Councilman Nelson stated when the majority of the properties in that area were developed, the majority of the properties were 50 foot frontage. As concerns the $20,000 minimum bid, he stated his belief the Council has considered no bid limit because Sword Avenue also has the same concern with abutters, and it’s not fair to automatically price people out of this.
Mr. Grigaitis stated he has lived in his home since 1987. He noted when a house was built on the other 50’ foot frontage lot, that type of house never attracted a family willing to maintain such a house. He pointed out such situations bring down the value of surrounding property values.
Mr. Coppler stated there will be information about this sale on the Town’s website, and they’ll be advertising this in local newspapers.
Mr. Grigaitis stated his attorneys told him adverse possession is 15 years of maintenance in the State of Connecticut. Attorney Deneen stated only in very narrow circumstances, a person can’t assert adverse possession against a municipality. He offered to speak with Mr. Grigaitis’ attorney concerning this topic.
As no one else wished to speak, Chairman Kaupin closed the Public Hearing at 7:07 p.m. |