AGENDA REQUEST
GENERAL DISCUSSION ITEM
Subject:
title
MOTION to refer the proposed sale of town-owned property located 480R Shewville Road, to the Land Use/Planning/Public Works Committee for further review and reevaluation in light of additional information received since the Town Council's July 8, 2026 meeting.
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Background:
In 1993, the Town sought a new well field location to supply water to the Highlands subdivision (700+ homes), as the existing supply was failing. An agreement was reached with William and Dorothy Loftus to acquire the 11.46 acre parcel with a ROW only for access (no deeded frontage), now known as 480R Shewville Road for $275,000. The wells were installed and ultimately supplied water to the Highlands as well as Lakeside Condominiums. In 2010, Groton Utilities and the Town reached an agreement to provide water in parts of town, including the areas served by the Loftus Well Field, thereby terminating the need for the well field. Once connections were made, the Loftus wells were filled in and officially closed, equipment removed from the structure. Recognizing this as surplus property, we sought ways to re-use the parcel but soon learned a restrictive covenant prohibited any use but as a municipal well water supply. With that use extinguished, we had effectively no use of the property. The Mayor contacted legal counsel to determine the validity of the highly restrictive covenant, which was legally determined to be enforceable.
At a Special Town Meeting February 22, 1994 - Referendum March 2, 1994 - The townspeople approved to issue Bonds in the amount of $2,585,000 ".....Highlands water supply consisting of installing wells located on approximately eleven acres of land ....Shewville Road.......Loftus site to the existing Highlands wellfield, construction of water filtration plant, and related site work. The appropriation may be spent for design and construction costs, equipment, materials, land acquisition, architects fees, engin...
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