Saint Bernard School alumnus and local businessman Bill Buscetto on Friday publicly announced his months-in-the-making intent to bid on the school at auction June 2, in partnership with fellow alum Diederick van der Velde, an entrepreneur in the assisted living industry.

Buscetto shared their plans on the Lee Elci Show and spoke further with The Day.

He said that van der Velde will provide most of the capital and that, if they’re the winning bidders, they will donate the land back to Saint Bernard, debt-free. They told the school to make sure they obtain their own 501(c)(3) status, to become a nonprofit separate from the Diocese of Norwich.

Buscetto said the two want to buy the whole 113 acres and donate it, and it would be up to Saint Bernard if they wanted to sell some of the land.

The Day reported in January that the Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich planned to sell Saint Bernard to help fund its proposed bankruptcy plan and distribute money to as many as 142 people who allege sexual assault by priests and other diocesan employees. The diocese and school officials said at the time they hoped to be able to lease back the land from the buyer and continue operating the school.

New London attorney Jeff Londregan and other alumni then formed Saints Country, LLC with a mission of keeping the school open, began raising money, and submitted a letter of intent to purchase the property. The group offered $6.2 million.

The original buyer, Thames River Acquisitions, in February upped its bid to $6.5 million. Attorney Sam J. Alberts wrote that his client was willing to lease the property to Saint Bernard through June 2027 so the school could “thoughtfully transition to a new location.”

Following a status conference Friday, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut on Monday issued an order requiring the winning bidder to enter into a 10-year lease with the school for it to stay open, with the potential for an automatic 10-year extension.

The order requires interested bidders to submit bids of at least $6.5 million by May 26, for a June 2 auction at the Hartford office of Robinson+Cole.

Buscetto said Londregan starting Saints Country and trying to rally alumni “really stirred our interest a little bit, because he felt the same way we did: Let’s not just let some other outside group just shut down the school.” He repeatedly gave credit to Londregan.

“The best thing for us, already, is no matter who wins the auction, St. Bernard has already won, because now it’s guaranteed to be open,” Buscetto said. He has no doubt that whoever wins the auction, “Saint Bernard is in a much better place today than it was three months ago.”

Asked why they started a new bid instead of joining forces with Saints Country, Buscetto said, “It comes down to money,” and he didn’t know what the group raised. He also said it’s “because we wanted control,” that van der Velde just wanted it to be the two of them.

Buscetto said they’re not doing any fundraising and “we wanted to keep it between us completely, so there’s no questions about anything.”

Londregan didn’t respond Friday to a voicemail or email seeking comment.

Coming up with a plan

Van der Velde and Buscetto both played baseball at Saint Bernard, respectively graduating in 1985 and 1991, and going on to play baseball at Providence College and the University of New Haven. Buscetto was also coach and athletic director at Saint Bernard from 2007 to 2011.

They eventually became close friends, and Buscetto ― who lives in Old Lyme ― visits his friend’s place in Naples, Fla. roughly four or five times a year.

On a visit about three months ago, Buscetto shared his concern about the concept of Saint Bernard having to vacate the property in 2027. They started discussing how they could help, at a time when van der Velde was on the verge of selling his business.

Buscetto said they are working through whether the bid will be under his name, van der Velde’s name or an LLC, with details finalized “probably in the next week or so.” He said they’re doing due diligence with accountants and attorneys “to determine what number we can go to comfortably.”

Buscetto said he has been talking to attorneys for the Diocese of Norwich and Saint Bernard School, along with the leadership team from the school.

“We have been fortunate enough to meet with potential bidders,” said attorney Jon Newton, with the Hartford and New Haven law firm Reid & Riege, who is representing Saint Bernard. “While I don’t wish to comment much because it’s an ongoing process, I can say that as a result of those meetings, I’m feeling pretty good about Saint Bernard and it moving forward.”

Newton added he thinks the procedures “are fair and reasonable” and looks forward to the process.

“Given the circumstances of the auction, it would not be wise for me to comment on anybody specific,” Saint Bernard Head of School Don Macrino said. “But I can say that we’re excited about the forthcoming auction, and given the conditions of the auction, I think the most important thing for us is the school is going to remain for many years to come.”

Macrino said he learned about the interest from Buscetto and van der Velde about two months ago.

“No one saw our name in the paper, and that was on purpose, because I was talking with them and they were vetting us,” Buscetto told Elci on Friday. He said he wanted to see what the rules for the auction would be before going public.

Representing the diocese, Robinson+Cole partner Patrick Birney commented, “The diocese wishes to communicate that we welcome as many qualified bidders to submit bids for the auction that is scheduled for June 2.” He said the goal is to have a “robust auction on June 2nd,” which is triggered by multiple interested parties showing up, and said marketing efforts are continuing.