ICC board requests one-year extension on gym acquisition, cites COVID uncertainty

Phil Elkin, chair of the ICC board, told the Stonington selectmen on Dec. 14, 2020, that the nonprofit needed another year to finalize the acquisition of the gym building and associated land because COVID-19 disrupted meetings, fundraising and due diligence tasks such as surveying.

Elkin described 18 years of ICC activity and said board members had concluded they were not in a position to take possession of the property this year. He asked the selectmen for a one-year extension to resolve next steps, gather finances and complete acquisition-related work.

Town Manager Billings and Selectman Evelyn Duncan asked for financial details and said the selectmen would review the ICC’s finances and the current rental agreement to determine whether the extension could be granted administratively or would require a town meeting vote. TM Billings noted the organization discussed adding development staff and estimated an expanded budget around $500,000 when including fundraising and capital needs, but asked the ICC to supply supporting documentation.

The board agreed to reconvene after receiving ICC financial statements and to review the rental-agreement terms before making a formal decision.

The request does not commit town funds; the matter concerns timing and process for transfer and any potential town meeting action.