Stonington — The Board of Selectmen approved an agreement Wednesday that will let police officers temporarily use the lobby and a bathroom of the former Econo Lodge hotel on Route 27 in Mystic as a substation.

Police Capt. Todd Olson said building owner and local restaurateur Bill Middleton offered the use of the lobby of the closed hotel to police until he renovates and reopens the building. Middleton is renovating the former Friendly's restaurant next door into an Italian restaurant and already operates three Mystic restaurants: the Jealous Monk, Rio Salado and Taquerio.

Police can use the building at 251 Greenmanville Ave. (Route 27) on a month-to-month basis at no cost to the town. Olson said officers can begin using the hotel as soon as the agreement is signed by town First Selectman Danielle Chesebrough.

He said Middleton approached police about using the hotel. Police then asked the town attorney to draw up an agreement.

Olson said officers will not only use the bathroom while on patrol but the lobby to do paperwork at times. When a cruiser is parked outside, he said it will be very visible to the public. In addition, he said the location will give officers a good view of a busy area.

He said no police substation sign will be put on the building because most of the time it will not be manned. 

Olson said police are very appreciative of Middleton's offer to use the hotel.

"It shows the type of businessperson he is in the community,"  Olson said.