JAY – Selectmen voted Tuesday to have a silent auction to sell surplus town-owned items with the proceeds helping to pay for a new town clock. The auction would be held on voting day, Tuesday, June 10, at the Community Building.

Town Manager Ruth Marden initially asked about having a yard sale to dispense with items such as old desks and chairs stored in the basement of the town office.

Marden asked selectmen to get some volunteers to price the items because some employees were interested in buying some things and they didn’t want people to think they were getting a good buy or having first choice.

All department heads are putting items in, Marden said.

Department heads have also been able to review the items to see if they could used in their department instead of sold.

For instance, Marden said there was an old generator that the school department was able to use.

Resident Steve Barker suggested instead of having a yard sale they might want to have someone come in to buy the whole lot so to prevent anyone thinking employees were getting a better deal.

Selectman Steve McCourt suggested they have an auction.

Marden said there really isn’t that much stuff.

Town Clerk Ronda Palmer said that middle school personnel had held a silent auction when they moved from the old school to the new one. People place their bids inside a cup or whatever is set out and the item goes to the highest bidder.

Marden asked if the proceeds could go to the town clock.

Town office employees have been holding continuous fundraising events to get enough money to buy the clock to be put in front of the new town office.

Selectman Amy Pineau said there has been a lot of fundraising going on.

“They’ve worked hard,” she said. They deserve to have the proceeds go into the clock fund.

About half of the $12,000 needed to buy the clock has been raised, Marden said.

In other business, selectmen approved relocation of an all-terrain vehicle trail to the south side of Hannaford.

Marden said Bob Bahre, who has a lengthy lease on the town-owned land, has prohibited ATVs from using the north side of the plaza area near McDonald’s. Marden said Bahre was OK with the recreation vehicles using the south side as long as his tenants in the Jay Plaza were OK with it and selectmen approved it.

The board also approved a “bring your own booze” permit for a private campground as required by state law. The permit would allow the owners of Where the Heck Are We Campground on Davenport Hill Road to hold a BYOB function at one of the buildings on the campground. It is for four hours on one night each of three upcoming holiday weekends: Memorial Day, July 4, and Labor Day.

Board Chairman Bill Harlow asked if there would be any liability to the town.

Marden said “no,” it is on private property.

Palmer said she had called the Maine Liquor License Board to see what was needed and a representative said it was up to municipal officials if they would like to hold a public hearing and if they want sign the applications or designate a municipal employee to sign it.

Police Chief Larry White said he had no concerns as long as it is well-policed by them.