KINGFIELD — Selectmen have resolved a longstanding complaint against the owner of a dilapidated and uninhabitable trailer on the West Kingfield Road.
In November 2011, 82 West Kingfield Road property owners Brian and Susan Goss showed selectmen pictures of the trailer across the street and explained that the property was dangerous and unsecured. Owner Lori Murray Reed has been paying taxes on the land and property, so selectmen could take little legal action.
In 2017, Brian and Susan Goss said they were trying to sell their house, but potential buyers were not willing to make a commitment with the unsightly trailer across the street. Selectmen sought legal advice, as state laws vary on the allowable options for resolving abandoned and vacant properties and junkyards.
After the executive session at their Monday night meeting, selectmen and Reed signed a consent agreement that transfers ownership of the land and trailer to the town.
Selectmen also reviewed the proposed rebuilding of the Tufts Pond Road. Selectman Brian Hatfield suggested that having public works director Brian Collins responsible for the road project details was not a reasonable expectation.
Both Les Jordan and Bruce Manzer, local road construction contractors, have provided bids, but selectmen agreed they needed an independent professional assessment of the exact details, including costs of culverts and ditching. Such a survey will allow a closer comparison of bid costs.
“This is an opportunity to get it right,” said Hatfield.
In other matters, selectmen reviewed the recent proposal to buy Les Jordan’s land that abuts the town garage. Selectmen approved hiring Acme Land Surveying to locate and map the lot lines for the town.
“It’s a fair question of who is on whose land,” Selectman John Dill said.
Selectmen also authorized administrative assistant Leanna Targett to make future decisions to close the Town Office during snowstorms and other weather-related events.
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