Stonington not interested in two properties offered for sale
Stonington — The town is not showing any interest in a two properties being offered for sale: a Mystic group home and an Old Mystic church.
At Wednesday’s Board of Selectmen’s meeting, First Selectman Rob Simmons reported that the state Department of Administrative Services has offered the town an opportunity to purchase a house at 37 Church St. for $499,700, the same amount the town appraised the property for during the most recent revaluation.
Simmons said he has circulated the offer among town department heads to see if there is any possible town use for the three-bedroom, 2½-bathroom home, but no one expressed any interest. Selectwoman Kate Rotella said that not only is she not sure what the town could use the home for, but the offer comes at a time when the town is facing a proposed large cut in state aid that dramatically could affect the 2017-18 budget.
Simmons said if the town is not interested, the state will proceed with trying to sell the home.
The board also received a letter from Allen VanLew, the treasurer of the Old Mystic Baptist Church at 151 Shewville Road, stating that, due to the church’s financial situation, it will in all probability be closing its doors in the not-too-distant future.
VanLew wrote that, after much deliberation, the church council has decided its first choice for the building's future is to see it put to use as a community center, small school or public service center. The church has reached out to area state representatives, the towns of Stonington, North Stonington, Groton and Ledyard, and local service groups to see if there is a need for the church.
The 3,400-square-foot church, with 1,000 square feet of office space, a 1,000-square-foot kitchen and a wing containing seven classrooms, is located on 4 acres of flat land with a large parking lot.
“We are hoping to find a use that will benefit the area and also fit well with our rural community,” VanLew wrote.
No cost was listed, but the church said it is looking to turn over the facility in a way to avoid any cost. The church could not be reached for comment Thursday.
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