| NOVEMBER 28, 2012 -- Less than two years ago, the town council voted to transfer ownership of the former schoolhouse on Broad Brook Road to a local preservation group, but the deal fell through, and now, the town is, once again, seeking requests for proposals.
Those proposals are due to town officials by 10 a.m. on Dec. 6.
The vacant, two-story schoolhouse was built in 1850 and served as a school until 1940, when it became the Enfield Grange. In 2010, the Grange lost its nonprofit status and couldn't afford to pay the taxes on the property. As a result, ownership of the building reverted to the town.
"We were very anxious to get it out of our hands," said Town Manager Matthew Coppler this week.
In April 2011, the town voted to transfer ownership of the schoolhouse to the Martha A. Parsons Memorial Trust. The group's proposal called for the preservation of the building's exterior and the creation of the Scitico Village Museum, which would help preserve the area's heritage.
The project, however, never moved forward.
Coppler said the group was at a standstill because of a legal disagreement with the historical society over finances. The work couldn't be done if the issue wasn't resolved, he said.
"It's just how it works out sometimes," Coppler said.
The Martha A. Parsons Memorial Trust couldn't be reached for comment.
As a result of the disagreement between the trust and the historical society, Coppler said the town decided to request bids again this fall.
Interested parties have two options. The town is accepting proposals from groups that want to acquire ownership of both the building and the 0.263-acre parcel it sits on. It is also accepting bids from groups that wish to own the building, but move it to another location.
Both options would require the new owner to restore and preserve the building's exterior. The town is encouraging local nonprofit organizations to submit proposals.
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