Waterford ― Representative Town Meeting members have approved spending $385,000 to buy land at 8 Goshen Road, which town officials say would improve traffic and safety at the adjacent Great Neck Elementary School property.

The property, appraised by the town for $295,330 in 2022, is owned by the estate of Lois and Austin Joyce, according to town records.

The property is sandwiched on three sides by the school. The Board of Selectmen first approved its purchase in December.

At Monday’s RTM meeting, member Mark Campo was only one to vote against the purchase because there is no specific plan about how to use the site.

He said the standard for a project coming before the RTM for purchase should be how much it will cost, including any revisions to the property, and what good it will provide the town.

“We don’t have that right now and that’s why I have to vote no,” he said.

First Selectman Rob Brule said the town had first tried to purchase the property about 15 years ago while building the Great Neck school.

Despite “numerous attempts” to purchase the property, the owner would not sell, said RTM member Tom Dembek.

So when the property went up for sale at the end of last year, Brule said he wanted to jump on it, not knowing when the town would get the chance to buy it again.

Superintendent of Schools Thomas Giard III said one potential use for the property would be to incorporate it into the school parking lots to make one large one. This would address a traffic problem.

Police Chief Marc Balestracci said the purchase would improve safety at the school by reducing traffic during times when parents are dropping off or picking up children.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Giard said the schools have seen an increase in parents driving children to school.

Brule has yet to sign the contract for the property. He said Thursday he needs to wait until 15 days after RTM approval before closing on the property next month.

Brule said although he doesn’t know the future use of the property, it was his duty to bring the purchase to the RTM. The police, school board and superintendent of schools would handle decisions on how to use the property, he added.

d.drainville@theday.com