NEW GLOUCESTER — Foreclosed properties and bids on a public works dump truck and equipment, along with requests for bids on a bridge-and-dam engineering study and a library egress, dominated Monday’s meeting of the Board of Selectmen.
The board grappled with eight foreclosed properties under a new ordinance to collect back taxes from property owners in arrears, one since 1997. The eight owe the town a total of about $30,000.
Voters at the town meeting gave the board authority to sell foreclosed properties and approved an ordinance governing the process that includes efforts to work with owners before disposing of their properties.
The board learned that several are under purchase and sale agreements and some had paid all taxes owed. For others, the board has agreements with owners who are under deadlines before the town takes action to sell the properties if the contracts lapse.
The board requires that landowners also pay for fiscal year 2019 taxes in order to receive a quit/claim deed.
In other matters, the board is reviewing ongoing efforts to purchase a dump truck and combination dump body/sand spreader and plow gear.
Last month’s bids were higher than budgeted and so the board sought new bids from firms seeking the award.
Public Works Director Ted Shane will review the new bids and make a recommendation to the board at a future meeting.
A Request for Proposal seeks bids for engineering work for a 5-foot structure length at the Gloucester Hill Road bridge/dam at Stevens Brook. Bids are due by Sept. 17.
Also the board is seeking a bid for a second means of library egress to the basement. Bids are due by Sept. 17.
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