The town will soon own the Montville Center Congregational Church on Raymond Hill Road.

The Town Council voted 6-1 last Monday to allow Mayor Joseph Jaskiewicz to execute the purchase of the historic church, ending a two-year plan to buy the property.

Councilor Candy Buebendorf was opposed.

The church, located at the corner of Meetinghouse Lane, has remained vacant in recent years and its condition has deteriorated. Considered the center of the town's historic district, the church also sits by Raymond Library.

Town Planner Marcia Vlaun on Monday night called the church a "cornerstone" in the town's park and heritage corridor. "Until the town owns it and takes some responsibility for it, the building will continue to deteriorate," she said.

Jaskiewicz has played a key part in acquiring the property and said Monday he continued to voice his support for preserving the church. A handful of residents also addressed the Town Council and offered their support.

"It's exciting to finally be on the verge of an opportunity to work toward preserving this important landmark in our town," said Jon Chase, the town historian.

The church was founded in 1772. In the 1990s, parishioners looked to sell the church and an adjoining property.

The adjoining property sold, but it was discovered through a title search that the church's deed restricted its sale to a private property owner. The church has sat vacant since.

Buebendorf said that while she supported the idea of the town acquiring the property, she wanted to see an estimate of what it would cost to fix defects in the building. She also said that she thought of the 1986 Tom Hanks movie "The Money Pit" when considering the purchase.

"That's what I keep thinking of: a black hole of expenses the town may be incurring," Buebendorf said.

Meanwhile, Councilor Russ Beetham said that if the town did not purchase the church, it would eventually be the town's responsibility to take down the building and clean up the property.

Resident John Geary, also president of the Montville Historical Society, said the historical society recently voted to turn in an application to place the church on the National Register of Historic Places.

Schools Budget Increases 1 Percent

Insurance savings and using money earmarked for capital improvements for the school district's operating budget will help the school board meet Mayor Joseph Jaskiewicz's cap of a 1 percent budget increase for the 2011-12 fiscal year.

In his proposed $55.8 million spending plan, Jaskiewicz recommended $36.63 million for education, or a 1 percent increase from last year. The school district had initially asked for a 1.4 percent increase, or $36.79 million.

Superintendent of Schools Pamela Aubin said at a special Board of Finance meeting last Tuesday that the school district will save money in property and liability insurance and workman's compensation based on her staff's current estimates. The district will also use money earmarked for capital improvement projects, including a new school bus and paving at Tyl Middle School, to fund its operating budget for 2011-12.

Aubin also said Monday that with the proposed 1 percent increase, she will not have to lay off seven teachers in the district. Those teachers received notice prior to April 1 that their contracts would not be renewed, which was required by a state statute.

But Aubin cautioned that Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's Plan B budget proposal, which would cut state funding to municipalities and schools drastically, could change everything.

An analysis by the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities said $482 million, or 21.7 percent, would be cut from the $2.2 billion slated for 18 state aid programs.

"I'm hoping that is to drive the negotiations forward (with state workers)," Aubin said of the proposed Plan B.

Board of Education Chairman David Rowley attended the board's special meeting, along with several other school board members. Rowley told the Board of Finance that the school district's approach to the budget has changed from the past.

"You may remember in past years, the mentality was: Ask for more than you need, because you know the Board of Finance is going to cut," Rowley said. "That is not the case this year."

Board of Finance Chairman Gary Murphy and Town Councilor Billy Caron both said they were pleased that the school district found savings in the education budget. The board will continue to hold meetings on the proposed budget before it goes to the Town Council for approval.

jeff.johnson@theday.com