Beecher Street property sold ; Former home of Board of Education offices

By Lindsay Carey
Staff Writer
The Town Council approved the sale of 49 Beecher Street, the former home of the Board of Education’s administrative offices, Monday night.
A public hearing on the proposed sale was held shortly before the council meeting. The Planning and Zoning Commission also recently approved the sale of the two-acre property.
Unlike an earlier hearing on the property, for a different proposal and investor, no one spoke against the application.
In January, the Town Council agreed to put the property up for sale with restrictions, which limited the use of the building to either residential or office use.
The town is selling the property to local developer Mat Florian, of Florian Properties, for $200,000.
Florian spoke at the hearing, reiterating his intentions with the Beecher Street property.
“My plan is to build ten condos on the site and to renovate the existing building,” Florian said. “I’m going to keep the exterior pretty much as is.”
Florian said his plan is to make the property into residential condominiums. However, if they run into design issues during the renovations, Florian said he is open to making the Beecher Street property an office building.
Florian said that he expects the project will take two to three years.
Town Councilor Victoria Triano, who was born on Beecher Street, voiced her support of the sale and desire to maintain the area’s historical value prior to voting on the proposal.