A new lease agreement has been signed by Brookfield and the owner of 49 Federal Road to lease a portion of the town-owned land.  The owner stopped paying rent when he found out that deed restrictions meant the land could only be used for recreation. 

The five year lease is for $2,400 a month.  The previous rent was $2,250.  The business owner plans to buy the parking lot parcel from the town for $473,000 so he can add 9 housing units to the second floor of the building. 

First Selectman Steve Dunn says in the end, the town will make about $250,000.  The money will go into the General Fund. 

The state used to own the land, but deeded it to the town.  The Brookfield Board of Finance paid the state $244,500 to lift deed restrictions on the property, which borders the Still River. The business owner then paid more than $145,800 in back rent and legal fees.