GROTON — The state has set Nov. 13 as the deadline for Respler Homes LLC to purchase Mystic Oral School for $1, but a citizens’ group seeks to halt the sale, citing legal flaws in the state’s process for selling surplus property.
And other obstacles could derail the purchase.
One potential roadblock is the State Contract Standards Board investigation into Jeffrey Respler, owner of Respler Homes LLC, to consider whether to disqualify him from bidding on state contracts. The investigation opened in November 2021 and has not held a “show cause” hearing, but whether that will affect the state’s deadline is as yet undetermined.
A third factor is the Blue Lotus Group Mystic, which, it appears, has agreed to buy Respler Homes LLC. On Sept. 15, Blue Lotus released a statement that it will develop the property and “bring forward a vision for an active-adult, independent and assisted living community that promotes sustainability and is focused on wellness and a curated, holistic lifestyle.”
Respler originally proposed the construction of 700-800 apartments on 37 acres at 240 Oral School Road. The project included the redevelopment of the brick school buildings into a multi-use commercial building and rehabilitation of the on-site Pratt recreational building. Respler later bought adjacent land and increased the proposed apartments to 900.
According to Attorney Edward Moukawsher, who represents Mystic Oral School Advocates, a group…
