WINSTED — The old Lambert Kay property remains stagnant nearly a year and a half after voters approved the sale of the building and lot to a developer who expressed plans to create a lively, mixed-use commercial and residential complex. The old pet products manufacturing plant was purchased by the town for $1 after Lambert Kay went out of business in 2002.
In September of 2007, townspeople approved a deal to sell the property to Christine Properties LLC of Thomaston, but members of the Winchester Board of Selectmen have recently expressed dissatisfaction with a lack of progress on the deal. At a Feb. 2 meeting, Selectman David Cappabianca said he wanted to terminate the contract with Christine Properties and asked the board to consider not refunding a $5,000 deposit from the company.
On Tuesday, Feb. 17, Town Manager Keith Robbins told the board that it needs to refund the money if it terminates the contract. He also said there may be another deal in the works. "I’ve had [an interested party] come forward with another commercial venture for the parcel," he said.
Cappabianca said he also was approached by someone who wants to develop the property, but said he wants to keep the identity of the developer confidential for now.
Robbins and the board agreed to schedule a walk-through at the Lambert Kay property for Thursday, Feb. 19.
Since acquiring the property from Lambert Kay, the Board of Selectmen has seen numerous proposals come and go, while residents have complained that the town is losing tax revenues that would have been collected if the building had not been purchased.
Selectmen have considered turning the old factory into a public safety complex, which would house fire and police personnel in a centralized location, but formalized plans have not materialized.
