NEWINGTON - Newington was given the right of first refusal to purchase a state-owned property on Main Street, but has opted to decline.

       The Town Council voted unanimously to reject a $30,000 offer for the 5.6-acre surplus property at 326 Main St., on grounds that it lacks significant development potential, at its Feb. 25 meeting. The deadline for claiming the property passed last week.

       The offer came through a letter sent to Town Manager John Salomone by state Department of Administrative Services Property Agent Thomas Jerram Jan. 30 of this year.

       â€�"Looking at it, it [initially] sounded like a good deal--five acres for $30,000,” said Councilor Terry Borjeson during a discussion before the final vote was taken. â€�"But I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to proceed right now.”

       The issue is the limitations posed by existing town property that surrounds the parcel, councilors said. With that taken into consideration, the space available for any kind of project is estimated at less than one acre. Developers are less than likely to be interested in undertaking a venture there, Mayor Stephen Woods said.

       â€�"I think it’s best left as open space,” Woods said. â€�"I don’t see any developers coming in.”

       Not only that, but the town would be saddled with any contamination-related liability, said Councilor David Nagel.

       â€�"It’s taking a potential liability and transferring it to the town,” Nagel said. â€�"I don’t’ think we need it added to the burden we already have.”

       The property was appraised at $312,290 and assessed at $218,600, according to the meeting packet.