LEBANON, Conn: A Connecticut town is facing a legal quandary over plans to expand a library located on a historic, mile-long green, that hasn’t changed much since the days when French troops camped there during the Revolutionary War.
The town of Lebanon needs to show a deed to secure grants that would help pay for the $5.8 million project, but it turns out, it doesn’t own the land.
According to documents that date to 1705, the green belongs to the “heirs and assigns” of 51 original proprietors, the 17th and early 18th-century investors in the property.
Town historian Alicia Wayland says that’s probably about 10,000 people and it would be impossible to locate all of them and have them sign over the deed to the town.
Officials are considering hiring a lawyer to explore other options.
(Sourced from agencies, Feature image courtesy:AP)
