Community Corner

Should the Old Town Hall Be Demolished? (POLL)

Rumblings have been heard throughout the town. Residents have been debating on Patch. Where do you stand on the Old Town Hall?

 

 

Local residents have been heard arguing over the proposed demolition of the Old Town Hall. Should it be kept as a Town building? Renovated and sold, bringing taxes into the town? Demolished and turned into a parking lot?

Find out what's happening in Bethelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Tell us your thoughts! Take our poll, and in the comments section, tell Bethel what you think should happen to the Old Town Hall.

If you have an opinion, be sure to bring it to the Public Hearing on February 29.

Find out what's happening in Bethelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 

 Below are comments from Patch readers on the issue of the Old Town Hall:

I heard on Saturday that someone has a standing offer of $400,000 to buy the (Brick "Old town" Hall ) building as is. 
It is too bad that Bethel's Current Administration refused to spend the State Grant of $150,000 to remove the asbestos from the building. It is our money which we sent to Hartford and The Current Administration has refused to use it. 
Bethel needs additional tax revenue and $11,000 plus is nothing to sneeze at.

The old town hall is a broken down eyesore. Developing it into commercial property would cause congestion on this tiny intersection and there would be no parking for the businesses. Further, there are acres of empty storefronts in town. Similarly, there is a glut of residential property on the market. And, finally, the tax money it would bring in is minuscule in the context of this discussion. What would it cover? A few new desks and a half a smart board per year?

This debate reinforces the argument that we need to grow our grand list to increase tax revenue because none of any of the proposed increase in the Education Budget will be covered by an increase in state aid which has been frozen for three years and will be for several years to come at least. All of any proposed budget increase will be paid for entirely by local homeowners whose average income has declined over the last four years. This is another reason why it is so foolish to tear down a marketable building (new, old Town Hall) that can bring in revenue and taxes like the Old Center School, the Old Drum Corps building and the buildings on the Whitilessy property are doing since they were sold by the Town of Bethel to private owners.

Please attend the Public Hearing on February 29, 2012 and tell our town leaders that Bethel has a history of recycling Town owned buildings for new uses especially when it can help our TAX BASE.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here