10/13/26 Land Acquisition Commission

The Fairfield Land Acquisition Commission met on October 13, 2026, to discuss funding strategies and potential open-space acquisitions. Commissioners reviewed six possible grant opportunities, including Connecticut’s Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition (OSA) grant, which may cover up to 65% of a property’s fair market value. They discussed seeking recurring town funding—possibly an annual $50,000 appropriation, or a smaller amount deposited into the commission’s trust fund during surplus years—and presenting the commission’s mission and funding request to the RTM, with follow-up discussions planned with Planning and Zoning and Finance. No funding request or grant application was approved at this meeting. The commission cited a $4 million asking price for 4480 Black Rock Turnpike as an example of a potential property, but identified no specific acquisition target there.

The commission also reviewed ongoing due diligence for 80 Congress Street: its appraisal and Phase I environmental site assessment are complete, delinquent taxes were reported at $55,000, and staff are pursuing further environmental review and discussions with the owner’s representatives. Staff described the property as a promising acquisition and said the trust fund could be considered if a price is negotiated; no purchase approval or vote was reported. Commissioners also reviewed 120 Riverside Drive and discussed possible future acquisitions of flood-prone properties along the Rooster River. The open-space fund balance was reported as $54,525. Planned next steps included arranging meetings with other town bodies and preparing a presentation for the RTM.