With the approval of the sale of 280 Proto Drive to Town Fair Tire, the company continues to expand its presence in East Haven. The sale of the former town property was unanimously approved at the Town Council meeting on Sept. 5, with the town looking forward to the economic benefits for East Haven.

Senior Vice-President of Town Fair Tire Mike Barbaro said the new property meets the company’s immediate need for more land to park its trailers. He added that the company is considering expanding its headquarters at 460 Coe Avenue on the space left vacant by the trailer relocation.

The acquisition of 280 Proto Drive adds to Town Fair Tire’s in-town property holdings, including 620 Coe Avenue, the site of a former pizza parlor that was previously acquired by the town in 2010 with intentions to build a new firehouse.

Barbaro said the company is contemplating the future use for that property, including possible extended office space, with a decision likely in early 2018.

East Haven has provided a good home for Town Fair Tire over the past 20 years, according to Barbaro, who called the town a good location from which to service its stores across the Northeast. He added that the Town of East Haven has been enthusiastic about keeping the company local and supportive of its expansion plans.

Of the 33 acres at 280 Proto Drive, 23 acres are wetlands and according to Town of East Haven Director of Economic Development Sal Brancati, a State of Connecticut Department of Energy & Environment Protection permit would be required to fill the wetlands. He said such a permit was issued in 1995, but it expired under a previous administration and the current permit process is likely to be more involved than it was 20 years ago.

“Is it easy to get an approval to fill that now? Probably not,” Brancati said, “Town Fair [has] time, so if they want to spend time and spend money to do that, it certainly becomes a valuable piece of property when they get it converted and usable.”

The 280 Proto sale price was $191,782.12; Brancati said the value of the property lies in the 10 usable acres. With Town Fair Tire purchasing 620 Coe Avenue and 280 Proto Drive, Brancati said both taxable properties can now go back on the Grand List.

Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr., (R) said he’s pleased that Town Fair is expanding in town, noting that the company is one of the biggest taxpayers and employers.

“Every time Town Fair Tire expands their business, it helps the bottom line for the tax base for East Haven,” Maturo said.