ICC board asks Stonington Selectmen for another year to pursue gym building acquisition

Phil Elkin, chairman of the ICC board, told the Stonington Selectmen the community nonprofit needs more time to complete financing and acquisition tasks for the gym building the organization has been pursuing for nearly two decades.

Elkin summarized the ICC’s history and said the COVID-19 pandemic has complicated fundraising and logistics. The ICC asked the Selectmen for a one-year extension to resolve survey work, funding and staffing needs needed to take possession of the building and land. He said the board believes completing the acquisition will require additional development staff and fundraising capacity.

Town Manager Kathleen Billings-Pezaris told the Selectmen she would return to the board once the ICC provided detailed financials and after the town’s staff had reviewed the existing rental agreement for possible extension terms and whether a town meeting vote would be required.

Selectmen did not take an immediate binding vote at the meeting; instead they requested the ICC submit written financials and allowed staff to review the rental agreement and report back.