WeHa Council OK's Purchase, Funding For New DPW Sites

WEST HARTFORD, CT — In two separate votes last week, the West Hartford Town Council approved the funding for and the purchase of two properties seen as key to improving public works services in town.

Council members first voted 9-0 to approve an ordinance appropriating no more than $1.5 million into the town's capital fund to purchase the two properties, then voted 9-0 again to authorize the town manager to move forward with the properties' purchase.

The sites — one at 705 Oakwood Ave. and the other at 12 Brixton St. — are owned by Cunningham Brothers Realty LLC.

Already located across the street from the town's public works facility, the properties would give West Hartford multiple options.

For example, the proposed resolution states the town could relocate some public safety facilities there, such as firefighter training operations and/or animal control.

"The acquisition of these properties would provide an opportunity for the town to expand and modernize its waste management operations, establish fueling operations for town vehicles, consider the relocation of some public safety facilities and provide additional areas for equipment storage, materials and storm debris," wrote West Hartford Town Manager Rick Ledwith to council members prior to the Jan. 24 vote.

The purchase price is expected to be about $1.235 million in addition to any closing costs.

It's expected the deal will be finalized within the next 30 days, according to Ledwith.

He said the new property would be an ideal location, for example, for the fire training facility and animal control department.

This, Ledwith said, would better position the current DPW at 25 Brixton St. to better facilitate a $1.37 million "material solutions center" project aimed at modernizing recycling operations.

The properties have been on the town's radar for a while.

"This is a really strategic opportunity for the town and we really didn't want this to pass by," West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor said, adding the additional space will better help the town deal with future emergencies, such as storms.

"I think the community will benefit for years to come because of this purchase."

For the minutes of the Jan. 24 West Hartford Town Council meeting, click on this link

For more information on the land deal, click on this link and scroll to Page 39.

From July 14: 'West Hartford Eyes Land For Refuse Modernization Project'