Town of Jay authorizes demolition of unsafe tax-acquired house, designates $50,000 for cleanup

The Town of Jay Select Board voted to move forward with demolishing a tax-acquired house described at the meeting as a health-and-safety hazard and to designate $50,000 from public works funds to pay for abatement, demolition and disposal costs.

Board members discussed site inspections and agreed the building is unlikely to be habitable without substantial work. Staff said the town can use remaining year-end funds if authorized and track all related expenses so any net proceeds from a later sale of the cleared lot can be returned to the former owner as required. The board also authorized staff to send the 90-day notice of intent to sell to the former owner, which is required before the town may market the property.

The motion set out four actions: initiate the sale process and send the required notice to the former owner; designate $50,000 from the public works budget to carry forward for demolition and cleanup; approve demolition of the building; and authorize staff to sign sale-related documentation on the board’s behalf. Each action was moved, seconded and put to a voice vote during the meeting.

Meeting discussion noted asbestos abatement and disposal as part of the cost estimate; staff said they have an estimate from a remediation contractor and will track invoices. If demolition and remediation costs are less than the designated amount, remaining funds would lapse to the general fund at year end unless otherwise directed.

Next steps: staff will sign and send the notice to the former owner and proceed with contracting for demolition and associated abatement work; the board will consider listing the resulting vacant lot for sale after cleanup and after the required notice period expires.