Winsted voters block sale of 19 Hill Street to adjoining owner

Winsted voters turned down a proposed sale of town-owned 19 Hill Street on Sept. 17, rejecting a motion to sell the parcel to an adjoining property owner by a 5–17 paper-ballot vote. The moderator announced: "The votes have been tabulated with five yes votes and 17 no votes. The sale is not approved."

Town Manager Harrington presented the offer and background to voters, saying the parcel had been reviewed by staff, the board of selectmen and the planning and zoning commission and that the board forwarded an adjoining-owner offer for consideration. Harrington gave numerical details during the presentation: the town records show 19 Hill Street as a 22-acre lot with a 2025 appraised value of $34,500 and the board presented an $11,000 offer; staff estimated that if assessed privately the parcel would generate about $725 a year in property tax revenue. "We did receive multiple offers, but the board of selectment has elected an adjoining property owner, Mark Le Point, uh offer to be presented tonight at town meeting," Harrington said.

The vote followed an extended public-comment period in which neighbors raised concerns about property maintenance, pest infestation, narrow roads and whether the prospective buyer would maintain the parcel. With the motion failing, Harrington told the moderator and attendees that the board of selectmen could keep the land, re-list it on MLS or call another town meeting to consider the sale again.