POLAND — Selectmen on Tuesday declared the building at 555 Johnson Hill Road dangerous, allowing them to order it to be demolished and removed if it’s not corrected in the next 60 days.
Code Enforcement Officer Nick Adams presented selectmen with photographs and written comment regarding the condition of the buildings on Jan. 26. He posted the property, declaring it unfit for occupancy.
Megan Paine, who identified herself as a great-niece of Edward C. Bartlett, whose estate now owns the property, said she is in the process of buying the property. Paine said the transaction could be complete by the end of February and she is prepared to demolish the structures as soon as she takes ownership.
Selectmen asked whether the 60 days would suffice. Paine said she believed it would.
Adams said selectmen have the authority to extend the deadline, if necessary.
In other business:
* Town Manager Bradley Plante said he had arranged with a local contractor to inspect the McConaghy/Walker house between the Town Hall and Ricker Library. He will provide the board with estimates for how much it would cost to upgrade the property for use by the town or for private commercial purposes.
* Plante said he expects the Finance Department will be in a position to take over handling the town payroll by April 1. It would save the town an estimated $6,800 a year.
* Plante announced that he received word that Excelsior Grange No. 5 at 446 Harris Hill Road has been nominated for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.
* The board turned down Terri Ireland’s request for a refund of $141.20 for a building permit at 40 Orchard Road. The building project has been canceled.
Code Enforcement Officer Nick Adams advised selectmen that the contractor, A-Smart Home Improvement of West Gardiner, made the payment, not Ireland. Selectmen said they would authorize a refund to Ireland if the contractor sends a letter turning over his claim to the money to Ireland.
* Selectmen received articles to consider for the April town meeting.
* Selectmen learned that Brian Merrill’s request that Jessica Road be accepted as a town road has been withdrawn from consideration.
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