Woodbridge Democratic Town Committee

The purchase of the Woodbridge Country Club is widely supported by Democrats and Republicans alike here in Woodbridge and was approved unanimously by both the Democrats and Republicans on the Board of Selectman after a well attended special meeting where Democratic and Republican citizens alike stood to speak in favor of the deal.

However, as is too often the case in local politics, there is a fair amount of confusion and misinformation floating around about the deal. The Board of Selectmen sent out a letter addressing some of these concerns.

In order to promote involvement and informed discussion about the issues around the purchase of the Woodbridge Country Club, we are reproducing the letter here for the information of all the people of Woodbridge.

Dear Woodbridge Residents,

As your Board of Selectmen we would like to give you the facts concerning the Town's proposed purchase of the Woodbridge Country Club (“WCC”).

The Board of Selectmen (“BOS”), at its meeting on March 25, 2009, unanimously authorized First Selectman Ed Sheehy to actively pursue the purchase of the WCC. This vote came following the public comment part of the BOS meeting, which over 300 town residents attended. The overwhelming recommendation from the public was that the Town purchase the WCC. The Board’s primary reason for authorizing purchase of the Club was to ensure appropriate development of the largest single tract of land remaining in Woodbridge (150 beautiful undeveloped acres). The BOS was concerned that uncontrolled development could produce a major strain on town services (schools, police, fire etc). We believe the purchase of the property by the Town will have extraordinary benefits in the years to come, and we urge residents to attend the Annual Town Meeting on May 18, 2009, to vote Yes or No on the purchase of the property.

The following fact sheet provides important background:

1. The WCC paid its July 2008 taxes in full. The first default in any tax payment by the Club was in January of 2009. The Town did not know of the financial problems of the WCC until January 21, 2009.

2. The New Haven Register reported February 3, 2009, that the bank had assigned the WCC mortgage to a private investor the week before. The WCC had been negotiating with the bank for some time. The WCC believed the bank was talking with private investors willing to assist the club in avoiding foreclosure. The WCC was surprised to learn the bank had sold the mortgage to a private developer.

3. As soon as the Town became aware of these facts, the Woodbridge BOS issued a town wide mailing inviting all residents for a discussion of the WCC issue at its March 25, 2009, meeting. First Selectmen Sheehy represented the Town at an auction at the WCC on March 29 where the Town was one of three bidders for the property. The Town has strict Charter requirements for the purchase of Real Estate, which include a vote of the Board of Selectmen, a vote of the Board of Finance, and a vote of residents at the Annual Town Meeting.

Town Charter Section 6-4. Capital Expenditures and the Town Indebtedness
“6-4(2) …. to have the project authorized at the annual meeting of the Town Meeting or at a special meeting of the Town Meeting in the following manner (i) by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes cast thereon at a meeting of the Town Meeting, or (ii) by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast thereon at each of two meetings of the Town Meeting”.

4. The WCC set the rules for the auction of the property including a secret bid process. The Town’s objective at auction was to obtain the property for the Town and to offer a bid consistent with the value of the property. The Town assessed the property value at 12 million dollars. A 2009 appraisal authorized by the Town valued the property at 7.4 million dollars. The Town will also acquire approximately $625,000 worth of personal property which brings the value of the acquisition to more than 8 million dollars. The Town's successful bid was 6.9 million dollars subject to verification of the WCC debts. Thus, the Town is buying, for 6.9 million dollars, strategic real estate and personal property with an estimated value of over 8 million dollars. The value of controlling development for this property cannot be measured.

5. What will be purchased? The town will acquire 150 acres, a world -class 18 hole golf course, two swimming pools, 6 hard-tru tennis courts, a 27,000 square-foot clubhouse in excellent condition, a 3 bedroom house immediately adjacent to the Club listed for sale at $450,000, and a substantial amount of personal property. The Board of Selectmen believe the monetary value of the property is significantly more than the purchase price, apart from the ability to control future development of the property.

6. It is our goal that taxes will not increase as a result of the purchase. The Town will finance the purchase by the use of interim financing at low interest rates for the first three years. The cost will be reduced by anticipated revenues generated by the fees charged to use the facility. Long-term financing will be accomplished by traditional municipal bonding, and we anticipate that the costs will be significantly offset by the fees charged to use the facility.

7. The Town will consider hiring a professional management company to run the facility including golf, tennis and swimming. Other towns in Connecticut have had great success with their town-owned recreation facilities and Woodbridge intends to follow those models. We believe that the facility will provide significant revenues to offset the cost of the purchase. The Town will also consider other options for the use of the property.

8. The Town will enjoy this fine recreation facility. Many of our residents will be able to take advantage of this world-class facility for golf, swimming and tennis at preferred rates. Woodbridge residents will be given priority for membership.

Woodbridge Board of Selectmen