LETTER from Woodbridge First Selectman regarding the Toll Brothers proposal

Written by Ed Sheehy
Wednesday, 09 November 2011 13:33

Dear Fellow Woodbridge Resident:

I write to inform you of a unique opportunity that would help ease the tax burden for Woodbridge residents. The Town has been offered approximately $2 million for approximately 17 acres of the 150-acre Country Club of Woodbridge property, for the purpose of building between 52 and 58 age-restricted town houses on Woodfield Road adjacent to the golf course.

In 2009, the former Woodbridge Country Club, facing foreclosure, made the decision to sell its property at public auction. The Town of Woodbridge was the successful bidder, and residents overwhelmingly approved the property acquisition for $7 million, so the Town would control the future of the parcel. The other two bidders at the auction were real estate developers who were proposing large-scale projects that would have resulted in a loss of the 150 acres as open space, and uncontrolled development. Now, as we approach the three-year anniversary of this purchase in May, the Board of Selectmen is considering the best way to reduce the $7 million indebtedness incurred as a result of the purchase of the property.

I said at the May 2009 Town meeting that approved the club purchase that the Board of Selectmen would work to mitigate the impact of the purchase on taxpayers and explore the possibility of planned future development of a part of the property. The possible sale of these approximately 17 acres is consistent with what we talked about at the Town meeting and represents many months of effort.

The Town has been operating the club through a golf management company and fees collected over the past three summers have covered our debt service for the purchase. Last year the Board of Selectmen publicized a comprehensive Request for Proposal (RFP) to implement a long-term management plan for the property as a full service club, but only one offer resulted -- from the golf management company we had engaged to run the club.

Prolonged negotiations with this company toward a long-term agreement, including possible sale of the property as a country club, were unsuccessful. The Town will continue to operate the golf course, swimming pool and tennis courts, and a group of appointed town residents, together with and under the direction of the Board of Selectmen, will determine the best way to operate the club in the future.

Earlier this year the Board of Selectmen issued a Request for Expression of Interest (EOI) to gauge interest in the possible sale of an approximately 17-acre portion of property along Woodfield Road, with the goal of reducing the long-term debt. Three parties expressed interest but Toll Brothers, a nationally-known and well-respected builder, was the only company to present an offer.

The Board of Selectmen believes that this presents an opportunity for the Town to generate new revenue, achieves our goal of maintaining the remaining land as open space, allows for the continued operation of a club, and therefore deserves thoughtful consideration by our residents. Last month, the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to call a Special Town Meeting on November 30th for a vote as required by the Town Charter. The property cannot be sold unless a majority of those present at the meeting vote in favor of doing so.

The Toll Brothers offer is summarized as follows:

• The Town would receive approximately $2 million (the final price to be determined primarily by relocation costs associated with the existing cell tower) and Toll Brothers would build between 52 and 58 age-restricted (over 55) town houses.

• Age-restricted housing appeals to those who seek smaller homes and less household maintenance, and most importantly, also has minimal impact on municipal services and adds no students to local schools, since no occupant under age 18 may permanently reside there.

• The sale is specifically conditioned upon approval of the Town Plan & Zoning Commission and the Inland Wetlands Agency.

If this proposed sale is approved, we will use the approximately $2 million to reduce the original net purchase price of the club property. In addition, the Town’s Director of Finance and Operations projects that as town houses are built the new property taxes collected (about $550,000) will more than offset all principal and interest costs associated with the purchase of the club. In fact, within a few years the tax revenue could be expected to help fund other Town operating and capital expenses, including renovations necessary at Beecher Road School, the Police Department, and construction of a Public Works Facility.

By allowing us to pay off approximately $2 million of the $7 million owed on the 2009 club purchase, the sale of approximately 17 acres for limited development would give the Town the opportunity to make the purchase of the club self-sustaining – and keep 130 acres as open space in perpetuity – while easing the tax burden of our residents particularly in difficult economic times.

Please attend an Informational Meeting on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15th at 6:00 PM in the Center Gym or call or write me with any questions. More information is also available at the Town’s official web site, www.woodbridgect.org.

I also urge you to attend the Special Town Meeting WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30th at 7:00 PM also in the Center Gym to vote on the Toll Brothers offer. Your input and vote is most important. Thank you.

Best regards,

Edward Maum Sheehy

First Selectman