Capitol Products offer rescinded

WINSTED — The Board of Selectmen was informed at its meeting on Monday, April 18, that an offer to buy the former Capitol Products building on 35 Willow St. has been rescinded.The building has been vacant since Capitol Products went out of business in 2005.According to Tax Collector Arlene Boutin, the company has owed the town $84,203 in back property taxes since 2004.In January, selectmen held a meeting in executive session to discuss the property, but did not make any formal decisions.At Monday’s meeting, real estate agent Kevin Nelson, who works for Litchfield County Commercial, told the selectmen that the prospective offer from Joe Marchell is off the table.“The offer submitted by [Marchell] to either submit a non-refundable $2,500 advanced bid for a tax foreclosure sale or to purchase the town’s tax lien for $2,500 has been withdrawn,” Marchell said. “The reason given by [Marchell] was the inability to get any response to these proposals from the town after repeated efforts over the last several months. The owner is very frustrated that this opportunity was allowed to pass in such a fashion.”Nelson added that the property is being put back on the market and that he hopes someone else will be willing to purchase the property despite its “challenging issues.”At a previous meeting earlier in the month, Economic Development Commission Chairman David Pratt urged the selectmen to make a decision on the building.At Monday’s meeting, Pratt said he is very disappointed that Marchell had withdrawn his offer.“We desperately need to have these buildings in town move forward,” Pratt said. “This offer had no strings attached. [Marchell] was willing to handle all of the remediation himself.”Pratt referred to other buildings in town that are no longer in use and are currently vacant.“We are becoming known as the community of bad properties with blighted eyesores,” Pratt said. “That is not how we want our community to be known. Hopefully the selectmen will take [offers] more seriously. This is an indication of how not to move forward.”

Latest News

GNH blanks St. Paul 34-0 in Turkey Bowl

Wes Allyn breaks away from the St. Paul defense for a reception touchdown Wednesday, Nov. 26.

Photo by Riley Klein

BRISTOL — The Gilbert/Northwestern/Housatonic co-op football team ended the season with a 34-0 shutout victory over St. Paul Catholic High School Wednesday, Nov. 26.

It was GNH’s fourth consecutive Turkey Bowl win against St. Paul and the final game for 19 GNH seniors.

Keep ReadingShow less
Students curate Katro Storm portraits at HVRHS

“Once Upon a Time in America” features ten portraits by artist Katro Storm.

Natalia Zukerman

The Kearcher-Monsell Gallery at Housatonic Valley Regional High School in Falls Village is once again host to a wonderful student-curated exhibition. “Once Upon a Time in America,” ten portraits by New Haven artist Katro Storm, opened on Nov. 20 and will run through the end of the year.

“This is our first show of the year,” said senior student Alex Wilbur, the current head intern who oversees the student-run gallery. “I inherited the position last year from Elinor Wolgemuth. It’s been really amazing to take charge and see this through.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Mini horses, big impact: animal learning center opens in Sheffield

Le Petit Ranch offers animal-assisted therapy and learning programs for children and seniors in Sheffield.

Marjorie Borreda

Le Petit Ranch, a nonprofit offering animal-assisted therapy and learning programs, opened in April at 147 Bears Den Road in Sheffield. Founded by Marjorie Borreda, the center provides programs for children, families and seniors using miniature horses, rescued greyhounds, guinea pigs and chickens.

Borreda, who moved to Sheffield with her husband, Mitch Moulton, and their two children to be closer to his family, has transformed her longtime love of animals into her career. She completed certifications in animal-assisted therapy and coaching in 2023, along with coursework in psychiatry, psychology, literacy and veterinary skills.

Keep ReadingShow less