Enfield to buy building next to Town Hall for extra space

Susan Danseyar, Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.
·2 min read

May 18—ENFIELD — The town is buying a commercial property at 810 Enfield St. for use as additional storage space and likely to house the North Central Connecticut Probate District Court.

The Town Council on Monday voted 10-1 to authorize Town Manager Ellen Zoppo-Sassu to sign a purchase and sale agreement for the 3,376-square-foot building, which is adjacent to Town Hall. The sale price is $400,000.

The vote took place during the regular Town Council meeting after a public hearing on the purchase. No one spoke at the hearing.

Town Council member Nick Hopkins cast the opposing vote, saying he thinks it is a poor use of funds and the property will likely cost more than $400,000.

That amount of money would go a long way toward other needs the town has, he said, and approving the purchase would prove to be "too much" for taxpayers concerned about a budget increase beginning on July 1.

Moreover, Hopkins said, a more accessible space would be nice, but he said he doesn't think it's absolutely necessary.

"I think this is definitely something we should consider because I've heard this building is worth a bit less than what we would be paying for it," he said.

Town Council member Cynthia Mangini, who is also a real estate agent, disagreed with Hopkins and said the purchase of the building will benefit the town.

"I will tell you that this is a steal at this price," she said.

Town Council member Ken Nelson also disagreed with Hopkins, saying the purchase will benefit the entire town with the probate court going into the building.

Real estate is a hot commodity, said Town Council member Matt Despard. "It's a good investment for the town and I think this opportunity will not come up again," he said.

Zoppo-Sassu appeared before the Planning and Zoning Commission on April 27 to request a positive referral for purchasing the property, which members unanimously granted.

She said the goal for purchasing the property is to have a campus between Town Hall, the Enfield Express building, Higgins Park, and 810 Enfield St. to draw people to Thompsonville and create a gathering hub.

The probate court, now in Town Hall, has no space for lawyers and their clients to gather for private conversations before and after hearings, Zoppo-Sassu said, adding that the adjacent towns that use the court have been contacted about the possible move.

Several town buildings are nearing capacity and 810 Enfield St. would offer "breathing room," she said.

For more coverage of Somers and Enfield, follow Susan Danseyar on Twitter: @susandanseyar, Facebook: Susan Danseyar, reporter.