Fate Of Historic Pinney House May Be Decided At Town Meeting

On Monday, December 11, 2023, at 6:30 PM, the Town of Ellington will hold a Special Town Meeting primarily regarding the termination of the existing lease for the Pinney House located at 82 Pinney St., Ellington. The Town entered into a lease for the property in 2007 after a local group voiced an interest in preserving and rehabilitating the 240-year-old home. The house is owned by Eric Santini of Deer Valley LLC. A vote will take place at the town meeting to determine whether to terminate the town's lease. According to town officials, the structure continues to deteriorate and the town has not in the past 16 years received any plans for funding or other viable plans in place for restoration or use of the building from the Ad Hoc Committee for the Preservation of the Pinney House. The town has continued to pay utilities, and insurance and provide support through Public Works since 2007. During budget deliberations for the current year, funding for the property was eliminated from the budget. Should the lease be terminated the house would be returned to the property owner.

Before the town meeting the Ad Hoc Committee will give a presentation on the plans for restoration, fundraising, and use of the historic building. The committee sees the Pinney House as a building with historical significance worthy of preservation. Town officials will outline the yearly costs to the town in keeping the current lease. Ellington residents 18 years or older are eligible to vote at the town meeting.