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Gardiner council approves listing of 53 acres of landlocked city property for sale
Summary
The Gardiner City Council authorized the tax collector to list 53 acres of landlocked, city‑owned property (described in the meeting as on Marston Road) for sale through the city's broker after a staff review and a recent valuation of 49,600; councilors discussed access limits, wetlands and abutter interest.
The Gardiner City Council voted unanimously Dec. 3 to authorize the sale of a 53‑acre, landlocked parcel the city has held since 1985 and described in the meeting as being on Marston Road.
Tax collector Kathy Cutler told the council the parcel is not tax‑acquired, that the city has held it since 1985 and that recent review work and a valuation placed the lot’s value at 49,600. “The city currently owns 53 acres of landlocked land on the Marston Road,” Cutler said, and asked the council to allow her to dispose of the property through the real‑estate broker the city uses for property sales.
Council discussion focused on access and likely buyers. “So presumably someone who’s interested in selling their lot could acquire that lot for very low money and then have access to the lot and then a developer could come in and develop the lot,” Councilor Sean Dolley said, expressing concern about how access could change the parcel’s value. Cutler confirmed two abutters have expressed interest and that the city would list the parcel and set a minimum price.
Councilors asked about buildability and wetlands; Cutler said the parcel contains a lot of wetlands and she would follow up with more information. The council voted to proceed with listing the property and instructed staff to report back with clarifications on access and any buildability determinations.
The motion to approve the disposition was made by Councilor Gay Grant and seconded by Councilor Rusty Greenleaf; the vote was recorded as unanimous. The council did not provide a numeric roll call on the record; staff stated proceeds from a sale would be city funds (the parcel is not tax‑acquired) and that a successful sale would return the land to the tax rolls.
Note on naming in the record: Cutler described the parcel as being on Marston Road; the motion text in the minutes later included the name Larson Road. The council asked staff to clarify the exact road and access details when they report back.
