Notice of Proposed Land Transfer in North Branford

Complete Address of Property: Map 58, Block A, Lot 5B, Forest Road, North Branford

Commonly used name of property or other identifying information: Triangular shaped parcel between Route 22 and Farm River.

Number of acres to be transferred: 0.019 Acres (826 sq.ft.)

Click to view map of property location

Description of Property

Below is some general information about the property. It should not be considered a complete description of the property and should not be relied upon for making decisions. If only a portion of a property is proposed for transfer, the description pertains only to the portion being transferred.

Brief description of historical and current uses: 

 The proposed transfer area is a portion of a parcel identified as being Map 58, Block A, Lot 5B that is owned by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), is open to the public for angling, and is used for State Fisheries Division for fish stocking purposes. DEEP acquired its parcel from the Department of Transportation in 1975.  In 1986, the then-owner of 730 Forest Rd (Map 58, Block A, Lot 5A), and direct abutter to DEEP’s parcel, developed its property and installed a new driveway from Route 22 across DEEP’s parcel.  Since 1986, DEEP’s Fisheries Division has used the driveway and 730 Forest Road for stocking fish and public fishing access at Farm River.  DEEP and the present-day owner of 730 Forest Road are desirous of remedying the driveway issue and preserving public fishing access at the site.  Transfer of the subject area will make the driveway legal.  In consideration, 730 Forest Road would convey 0.010 acres fee simple at the riverbank and an 0.11 acres easement area to DEEP to preserve access, parking and fish stocking and public angling at Farm River.

The property to be transferred contains the following:

	Building(s) in use		Building(s) not in use		No Structures
	Other Features:	X	Paved areas	X	Wooded land
	Non agricultural fields		Active agriculture		Ponds, streams, other water, wetlands
	Public water supply		On-site well		Water Supply Unknown
	Served by sewers		On-site septic system		Waste Disposal Unknown

Click to view aerial view of property

Click to view photographs of property

Links to other available information:  Survey

The property is in the following municipal zone(s):

	Zoned		Not zoned	X	Not known
	Residential		Industrial		Commercial		Institutional
	Other:

Is the property in an aquifer protection area and/or a public water supply watershed? No

Is the property in an area identified by the Natural Diversity Data Base as containing state-listed species and/or significant natural communities? Yes

Is the property or any buildings on the property listed on the National Register of Historic Places or designated as a National Historic Landmark? No

Value of property, if known: 

X	If checked, value is not known.

Type of sale or transfer:

X	Sale or transfer of property in fee
	Sale or transfer of partial interest in the property (such as an easement). Description of interest:

Proposed recipient, if known: Aneillo and Lia C. Saulino

Proposed use by property recipient, if known: Shared driveway access off Route 22/Forest Road. 

Is the agency imposing restrictions or conditions upon the transfer of the land or land interest?  If yes, describe:  

Yes. The transfer area will be subject to reserved rights held by the State of Connecticut.

Reason the state of Connecticut is proposing to transfer this property:

In 1986 a new driveway was constructed across DEEP’s parcel by the then-neighboring abutter.  Since 1986, DEEP has used the driveway for stocking fish and public fishing access at Farm River.  DEEP and the present-day owner of the abutting parcel are desirous of remedying the driveway issue and preserving public fishing access at Farm River.  Transfer of the subject area will make the driveway legal.  In consideration, DEEP is acquiring 0.010 acres fee simple at the riverbank and an 0.11 acres easement area for preservation of access, parking and fish stocking and public angling at Farm River.

Comments from the public are welcome and will be accepted until the close of business on March 20, 2025.

Comments may include (but are not limited to) information you might have about significant natural resources or recreation resources on the property, as well as your recommendations for means to preserve such resources.

Written comments* about the proposed property transfer should be sent to:

Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management

c/o Paul F. Hinsch

Office of Policy and Management

Bureau of Assets Management

450 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106-1379

paul.hinsch@ct.gov

Please also send a copy of any comments and/or questions about the proposed property transfer to:

Name: Jamie Sydoriak

Agency: DEEP

Address: 79 Elm Street, Hartford CT, 06106-5127

E-Mail: Jamie.Sydoriak@ct.gov

*E-Mail submissions are preferred.

Comments from state agencies must be on agency letterhead and signed by agency head.

 What Happens Next:

When this comment period closes, the proposed land transfer can take one of three tracks:

 

1.   If no public comments are received, the sale or transfer can proceed with no further public comment and no further notices in the Environmental Monitor, unless the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) elects to conduct a review of the property (see #3).

 

2.   If public comments are received, the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) will respond to those comments. The comments and responses will be published in the Environmental Monitor.  Fifteen days after publication of the comments and responses, the proposed sale or transfer can proceed, unless DEEP elects to conduct a review of the property (see #3).

 

3.   If DEEP elects to conduct a further review of the property, it may submit to OPM a report with recommendations for preserving all or part of the property. The report and recommendations will be published in the Environmental Monitor, and there will be a 30-day public comment period. DEEP will publish its responses to any comments received and its final recommendation about the property in the Environmental Monitor. OPM will then make the final determination as to the ultimate disposition of the property, and will publish that determination in the Environmental Monitor. Fifteen days after publication of that final determination, the sale or transfer can proceed.

To find out if this proposed transfer is the subject of further notices, check future editions of the Environmental Monitor. Sign up for e-alerts to receive a reminder e-mail on Environmental Monitor publication dates.