The Select Board voted unanimously Aug. 6 to approve and execute the purchase‑and‑sale agreement and settlement documents to convey a town‑owned yard‑sale parcel known as 8 Nichols Road to the adjacent property owners, who hold title to the abutting lot at 10 Nichols Road.

Why it matters: The conveyance resolves a multi‑year backlog of yard‑sale matters involving title issues, Land Court proceedings and prior town meeting authorizations.

Tracy McDonald, the town’s real estate manager, summarized the transaction and said the parcel — described as Lot 161 on Land Court Plan 5004‑D and roughly 5,000 square feet in a LUG‑3 district — was acquired by the town through eminent‑domain taking. The buyers, identified in staff materials as Mr. and Mrs. Fruhle, paid the agreed purchase price of $51,000 in 2011 but needed a Land Court order to clear title and allow conveyance. McDonald said the town received a certificate of title (No. 3038) and asked the board to approve the documents prepared by Town Counsel and the buyers’ attorney.

A motion to approve the conveyance was made, seconded and carried unanimously with the board chair calling the vote in favor. The town manager and Town Counsel will complete the closing and recording steps following the board’s vote.

Background: McDonald described the matter as one of the oldest in the yard‑sale backlog; the town’s yard‑sale program and authorizing Article 86 at the 2004 annual town meeting and a 2005 request for proposals provided the original framework for the sale process.

Next steps: Town staff will execute settlement documents and combine the conveyed parcel with the abutting property at 10 Nichols Road.