The Greater Litchfield Preservation Trust offered to pay for a study of the jail, above.

Litchfield selectmen refused a gift of $20,000 Tuesday to evaluate the town’s historic jail and study its potential for new uses.  The gift was discussed at length before selectmen voted 3-2 to reject it.

The Greater Litchfield Preservation Trust made the offer through its president, Perley Grimes, Jr., who spoke during the public comment period at the selectmen’s meeting.

“We would like to help the town have as much good and reliable information concerning the facility itself upon which to decide whether to exercise the right of first refusal,” Grimes read from a letter addressed to the board.  “We think it is critical that an informed decision be made.”

The jail is currently listed for sale by the state Department of Public Works.  Prospective buyers had until Jan. 29 to submit proposals to the state.  If the state accepts an offer, Litchfield selectmen will have 45 days to buy the jail at the same price.  The purchase would have to be approved at a town meeting.

The $20,000 gift would pay for architects, engineers, and reuse experts to evaluate the jail built in 1812 and prepare a report on their findings, Grimes said.  The report would be available to the public.

 “I feel uncomfortable taking $20,000 from the preservation trust,” said First Selectman Leo Paul, Jr.  The town has processes to follow when it receives money and puts projects out to bid, he said. 

Selectman Christopher Blake asked Grimes why the trust made the offer.

Grimes said he thinks State Sen. Andrew Roraback, R-Goshen, and State Rep. Craig Miner, R-Litchfield could arrange a one-day tour of the building for consultants hired by the town.

“We can’t get that, because we’re a private group,” Grimes said.  The trust was in the process of applying for a grant to study the jail, when the state decided to sell it.

Selectman Paul Parsons asked if the trust was interested in buying the jail. The trust owns the Litchfield Post Office building on South Street and the Talbots building on West Street.

“We do not wish to own the business, because at this point, we don’t have a use for it,” Grimes said.

Selectmen William Dranginis and Ernest Bunnell said a feasibility study would provide valuable information.

“I’d love to have the opportunity to see what it could be used for,” said Dranginis.  “It could be used for town offices, which is a problem we’re going to have.”

Paul said it would be too costly to renovate the jail for town offices, based on an inspection last year by Jack Healy, town engineer, and John Martin, an architect.

Paul made it clear he’s not interested in purchasing the jail, because it has very limited parking and would require asbestos removal, among other issues.
“If the town takes it, we have the problems,” Paul said.

Blake said he was also uncomfortable with taking money from the trust.  If selectmen decide to evaluate the jail, they should call a town meeting to vote on the expense.

“That’s the right way to do it,” he said.

Selectman Paul Parsons said the state bidding process may resolve the issue.

“If there are good bidders on the property, let it happen,” he said.

The motion to accept the trust’s offer failed 3-2 with Paul, Blake, and Parsons voting no and Dranginis and Bunnell voting yes.

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