NORWICH STATE HOSPITAL PROPERTY UPDATE

ON THURSDAY NIGHT, DECEMBER 4, 2008, PRESTON TOWN SELECTMEN HELD A MEETING ON THE NORWICH STATE HOSPITAL PROPERTY (APPROXIMATELY 718 ACRES) . THE PROPERTY IS DIRECTLY ACROSS THE THAMES RIVER FROM THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO.

THE PURPOSE OF THE MEETING WAS, TO REVIEW A RECOMMENDATION BY THE NORWICH HOSPITAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE, TO ASK THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT FOR AN EXTENSION TO FIND A DEVELOPER OF THE PROPERTY.

THE TOWN OF PRESTON, HAD AGREED WITH THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT, FOR A THREE (3) YEAR PERIOD, TO FIND A DEVELOPER AND SUBMIT THE DEAL TO CONNECTICUT TO APPROVE THE LAND TRANSFER TO PRESTON. THE TOWN SELECTMEN VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO ASK THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT FOR THE EXTENSION. THE THREE YEAR PERIOD ENDS JANUARY 5, 2009.

THERE IS A PRESTON TOWN MEETING SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2008, ABOUT THE NORWICH STATE HOSPITAL PROPERTY.

OFFICIALS FROM THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT, HAVE BEEN QUOTED AS SAYING, THAT THAT THE GRANTING OF AN EXTENSION IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY.