Residents and council demand title search as Oak Haven reuse debate escalates

A heated community debate over the future of the Oak Haven school property culminated in the Coventry Town Council directing staff to run a title search and assemble a property inventory before advancing any proposals.

The discussion, prompted by multiple resident comments and a state feasibility study, focused on what the town can legally do with the seven-acre parcel commonly called Oak Haven. Solicitor Mr. Igliozzi told the council he found three legal questions in a recently reviewed deed: the property was deeded to the "school department" (which is not a separate legal entity), the deed contains a conditional reverter provision that may be limited by state law, and tax-stamp records suggest the town paid money for the transfer — a fact that could alter whether the reverter remains enforceable.

"The first step is a title search," Mr. Igliozzi said. "That will let us know whether the documents exist that we're talking about. If not, we may have to pursue a title-clearing action in court to resolve the reverter question." The solicitor noted the title search usually costs only a few hundred dollars but is necessary to establish clear authority to sell, repurpose or otherwise transfer the property.

Residents who spoke at the meeting offered sharply different views on how Oak Haven should be handled. Public commenter Britney Boyer described the building and grounds as "deteriorating" and urged the town to consider reuse options that could produce revenue while serving the community — for example, maker spaces, training centers or health and social services — rather than assuming solar installation or housing would be straightforward. "The building itself is clearly underutilized and deteriorating," Boyer said, arguing that some uses could bring grants and community benefits.

Other speakers, including longtime neighborhood residents, pleaded for caution and for recognition of neighborhood impacts. Ryan Patnode, who grew up nearby, said he wants a reopened school and was wary of proposals that could change the character of the neighborhood. "If it does get developed, how is it going to impact our house, our community, our children, our neighborhood?" he asked.

Council members endorsed a cautious, multi-step approach. Council President John Paul Verducci said the immediate goal is to "level set" and make a comprehensive inventory of town-owned and underutilized parcels. Councilman Hall urged broader committee review — safety, RDA and finance — before major decisions.

Councilwoman O'Keefe, who requested the Oak Haven discussion be placed on the agenda, said the initial objective was to identify town-owned parcels that might generate revenue to avoid tax increases. "This building is dilapidated," she said, "but before we upset an entire neighborhood we should know whether we even have clear title or whether the deed requires it to revert." O'Keefe also noted that utilities for the site have been billed and reconciled with the school department, which has paid utilities historically.

The council approved a motion to authorize a title search and asked the manager to begin building a matrix of town properties (parcels, acreage, current use and deed status) so the council and committees can evaluate options. The solicitor warned that, depending on title results, the town may need to seek a court action to "clear" the title before any sale or transfer.

Next steps: the town will commission a title search and produce a property inventory for council review; no proposals or transfers are scheduled pending those legal clarifications.