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Otisfield board to present vote after public raises asbestos, wetlands concerns about Jalbert property sale
Summary
Residents urged the Select Board to restrict or reconsider the planned 'as‑is' sale of the Jalbert property over wetlands and possible asbestos contamination; the board said it will consult legal counsel and present an article to voters about rescinding the prior sale authorization, and it recommended a DEP site visit.
Chairman Hal Ferguson said the Select Board will bring a drafted article to voters aimed at determining whether the Town should rescind a prior authorization for the sale of the Jalbert property, after residents raised environmental concerns.
At the Feb. 4 meeting, resident Jim Howard urged the board to set expectations for the sale to ensure the property is handled in an environmentally responsible way, citing potential wetlands and hazards. Maureen Howard added concern that asbestos might be present and asked whether the town could prevent a purchaser from performing an improper cleanup and reselling the lot for profit.
Ferguson said the current plan remains to list the property with a realtor and to require cleanup within 90 days of sale while continuing to consult the towns legal counsel about what stipulations or restrictions can be imposed. Select Board member Rick Micklon advised the town to request a site visit from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection for guidance on cleanup actions and to clarify the towns legal options, noting the towns authority is limited when it does not own the lot.
Administrative Assistant Julie Ward said an heir has contacted the office and is seeking funds to bring taxes current to avoid foreclosure on the parcel. The board did not vote to alter the sale process at the meeting; instead, members directed continuing legal review and potential engagement with DEP before finalizing next steps.
The Select Board scheduled a public hearing for the Special Town Meeting on Feb. 19, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. where related articles — including the Jalbert item — will be considered. The board also noted it will continue to weigh cleanup timing and any legally permissible conditions on the sale.
Next steps: legal counsel review, a possible DEP site visit, and presentation of the drafted rescission article to voters at the Special Town Meeting.
