Voters Approve $350K Purchase of House on Future School Property

Voters at a December 12 Special Town Meeting raised their hands to approve two items: money for the historic Adam Stanton House and funds to purchase a private home that sits on the property of the future Morgan School.

In the first vote, which was unanimous, townspeople agreed to provide matching town money in the amount of $20,000 for the Stanton House.

Because the town approved the $20,000, it means a $20,000 grant from the CT Trust for Historic Preservation will be approved.  As a condition of the grant, the town was required to match the funds.

"We owe it to future generations to preserve the Stanton House and give them seed money so they can apply for federal and state grants," said Joann Dolan.

In the second vote, it was 102 "yes" to 91 "no" votes for the purchase of the residence 69-69A Killingworth Turnpike (Route 81) to make way for the new Morgan School. The cost of the house is $350,000.

First Selectman Willie Fritz said two appraisals were conducted on the property.

"One came in at $365,000 and one came in at $340,000 so we split the difference," he said.

Kirk Carr said that the house was built in 1800 and was the home of a Minuteman.

"We need to think twice about demolishing the house," said Carr.

The First Selectman said there were several scenarios for the future of the house with the last one being demolition.

"Best case scenario is that it is dismantled and moved," said Fritz.

Questions of possible contamination of the site, including the 69-69A property as well as the Clinton Nurseries property (already purchased by the town) came up, with one side saying a Phase I test showed no concerns and another saying there are "serious concerns."