The Danbury City Council has authorized City officials to apply to the CT Historic Trust Preservation to fund a feasibility study of the Octagon House on Spring Street.  The study would be to assess the condition of the structure, which was built in 1853, and provide schematic designs for its rehabilitation. 

$20,000 for the City's matching share of the study cost would come from the Open Space bond. 

City Councilman Ben Chianese questioned if this allocation qualifies for money from that account.  He thought it was for land acquisition, not to be used for a house.  Corporation Counsel Bob Yamin says analysis of the language of the bond shows that this request is qualified. 

City Finance Director David St. Hilaire says he did consult with the City's attorneys.  The language is broad enough to cover the historical preservation of a historical site.  Funding for engineering plans, bid documents and the actual rehabilitation work will be requested later. 

Additional Historic Preservation Technical Assistance Grant funds would be available for those parts of the project.