Groton Open Space Association

GOSA, Nine Individuals Sued By Developers

NEW LONDON–The Groton Open Space Association and nine individuals are targets of a lawsuit by developers seeking to build a subdivision on the 75-acre Merritt Property on Fort Hill in the Town of Groton.

Ravenswood Construction LLC, of Cheshire, and Mystic Estates Partners, New London, are seeking unspecified damages in the suit, which has a return date in Superior Court, New London, of July 1, 2003.

The construction companies accused defendants of abuse of the legal process and interference with the companies’ contractual relationships. GOSA had opposed aspects of the proposed “Mystic Estates” development in public hearings and had appealed a split Planning Commission decision approving a 48-lot subdivision. GOSA later learned the Merritt Property was up for sale and ultimately signed a contract to buy it. GOSA has won a $650,000 state grant toward the $1 million purchase price.

Priscilla Pratt, president of GOSA, said the suit–the second filed by Ravenswood since GOSA and F.L. Merritt Inc. signed their purchase-and-sale contract April 14–”is a vexatious nuisance and an obvious attempt at intimidation.” The association said it will oppose the suit against it vigorously.

Paulann Sheets, a Groton-based environmental attorney, appearing at the Groton Town Council meeting June 17, 2003, called the Ravenswood-Mystic Estates action a “SLAPP” suit–an acronym standing for Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation. She said the suit “sends a big, scary message to citizens” who exercise their rights to oppose developers’ plans.

Ms. Sheets urged the Council to express support for GOSA to make clear to citizens that “it’s safe and prudent to appear before town commissions” that are studying proposed building projects. Council member John Wirzbicki said, “I’m very concerned about the SLAPP suit. This kind of activity is just wrong.” Council member Jeff Vary agreed with him, and Mayor Frank O’Beirne Jr. said the issue will be discussed before the Council’s Committee of the Whole.

Ravenswood earlier had filed a suit, dated April 15, against F.L. Merritt Inc. in an effort to force Merritt to sell to Ravenswood, rather than GOSA.