Shays lost a re-election bid in November and has been unemployed since January. His wife, Betsi, is not working either. While both expect to be employed again, they are not certain whether the jobs will be in Connecticut or in Washington, D.C. The couple also own a town house less than two miles from the U.S. Capitol. "What I end up doing will determine where our main home is," Shays said. He declined to comment on what jobs he is considering, but the Obama administration is reportedly considering naming Shays to head the Peace Corps. He and Betsi were Peace Corps volunteers in Fiji from 1968 to 1970. Shays said he is reluctant to sell the home but plans to list it with a broker within the week. The couple purchased the 12-room colonial on Beacon Street in 1999 for $490,000. In 2008, the assessed value of the house was $550,830, with a market value of $786,900, according to Elaine T. Carvalho, Bridgeport's tax assessor. The tax bill last year was $24,556, she said. The home is now assessed at $817,580, with a market value of $1,167,980. The increase is due to an addition put on the home, Carvalho said. Congressman Chris Shays of Connecticut served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Fiji in the 1960's.
Former U.S. Rep. Chris Shays says that his waterfront home in Bridgeport's Black Rock neighborhood is for sale
Shays set to sell Black Rock home
By Peter Urban
STAFF WRITER
Updated: 03/05/2009 12:04:34 AM EST
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Former U.S. Rep. Chris Shays said Wednesday that his waterfront home in Bridgeport's Black Rock neighborhood is for sale.
"Yes, I'm selling the house on the water," Shays said in a telephone interview. "The taxes are high, and we are not really in a position to keep it."
Shays lost a re-election bid in November and has been unemployed since January. His wife, Betsi, is not working either. While both expect to be employed again, they are not certain whether the jobs will be in Connecticut or in Washington, D.C.
The couple also own a town house less than two miles from the U.S. Capitol.
"What I end up doing will determine where our main home is," Shays said.
He declined to comment on what jobs he is considering, but the Obama administration is reportedly considering naming Shays to head the Peace Corps. He and Betsi were Peace Corps volunteers in Fiji from 1968 to 1970.
Shays said he is reluctant to sell the home but plans to list it with a broker within the week.
The couple purchased the 12-room colonial on Beacon Street in 1999 for $490,000. In 2008, the assessed value of the house was $550,830, with a market value of $786,900, according to Elaine T. Carvalho, Bridgeport's tax assessor.
The tax bill last year was $24,556, she said.
The home is now assessed at $817,580, with a market value of $1,167,980. The increase is due to an addition put on the home, Carvalho said. Since this year's mill
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rate hasn't been determined, it is not known how much tax will be due on the property.
"It is one of the most beautiful homes in Black Rock, with a priceless view," Shays said. "This is a home I expected to live in for years."
Shays said his plan is to purchase a less expensive home and he hopes to remain in Black Rock, although he suspects he won't find anything in his price range on the waterfront.
Staff writer Keila Torres contributed to this report.
