A public hearing was held in Bethel last night about allowing a microbrewery in town.  The Planning and Zoning Commission looked at permitting a microbrewery in certain zones.  The old train station building downtown could be leased to Broken Symmetry Gastro Brewery. 

The building is owned by the town and was most recently leased to Bethel Cycle.  The space is a single story structure that is 23 feet wide and 79 feet in length with approximately 1,894 square feet.  Bethel received seven bids from people interested in leasing the space. 

It was used as a train station from 1899 through 1996. 

First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker said in a previous interview that this would be a good addition to downtown Bethel.  He notes that the owner will have up to six months to retrofit the inside of the building once the lease agreement is completed.  Knickerbocker called the owner an experienced restaurateur.

Lisa Tassone, owner of La Zingara on P.T. Barnum Square; Chris Sanzeni, a brewer; Kevin Arrington, assistant brewer; and Paul Mannion, owner of the Green Grunion food truck are the people involved in the proposed microbrewery.