The Story Behind Rt. 32's Disappearing Buildings

One stretch on Rt. 32 in Montville is quickly becoming a building graveyard.

Recently, two buildings within a few hundred feet of each other were torn down on Rt. 32. One, 904 Rt. 32, was a single-family home with a garage. The other, 855 Rt. 32, used to be a Laundromat. Both buildings, by all accounts, were in terrible shape.

Now, they are both vacant lots. But unfortunately, there is no valid permit – at least not yet – to build anything new on either lot, according to Montville Assistant Planner Tom Sanders.

The two lots are both located in the general area of Ed’s Kitchen & Creamery Inc and Montville Hardware, although they are located on opposite sides of the street. 

904 Rt. 32

Last year, the Planning and Zoning Commission approved a proposal to turn 904 Rt. 32 into a used-car dealership, according to Sanders. However, as part of the plan, the owner – Joseph Wyspianski of Jewett City – agreed to reuse the existing house and garage as part of the dealership, Sanders said.

Wyspianski knocked the buildings down and now his permit is no longer valid, because he is not reusing the building that was there, as stipulated, Sanders said. To get approval now, he would have to again apply for a permit with the Planning and Zoning Commission, he said.

855 Rt. 32

855 Rt. 32 used to be a Laundromat, although the building has been vacant for years and was in bad condition, Sanders said. The owners of the property, Montville’s P&H Construction, have applied for a demolition permit to knock down the building, which they’ve since done, he said.

P&H Construction has not filed a permit yet for what they would like to do with the property, Sanders said.