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Freetown Select Board votes to sell town parcel after appraisal and new tax-law implications
Summary
Following an $80,000 appraisal and new state tax-law requirements, the Select Board voted to stop retaining town parcel map 240-16 (mostly wetlands and landlocked) and to put the property on the market, directing staff to account for expenses and engage a real-estate agent to manage the sale.
The Freetown Select Board on Jan. 5 voted to relinquish retention of a town-owned parcel (map 240-16) and to list the property for sale after reviewing an $80,000 appraisal and new state-law complications related to owed taxes.
Board members said the town is one of the first municipalities to encounter the recently changed law. Because roughly $20,000 in taxes are owed on the property, the law would require the town to pay the original owner the difference if the town retains the parcel; conservation officials declined to take the land, citing limited municipal use and wetlands conditions.
Given limited buyer demand for a landlocked, mostly wetland parcel, members discussed the administrative work and costs required to market and sell it. The board voted to stop retaining the parcel, authorize staff to market it with a real-estate agent, and directed careful accounting of all expenses — including administrative time — so any net proceeds beyond costs can be distributed consistent with the law.
Members asked staff to include marketing for up to one year and to bring back accounting and sale recommendations at future meetings.
