LIVERMORE FALLS — Selectmen voted 3-2 Monday to sell a 100-foot by 100-foot house lot on Maple Street to abutters for $300.

Norman King of Oak Street was the only bidder on the property. The lot is wooded and there is an old foundation on it.

Chairman Bill Demaray and Ken Pelletier opposed the vote saying they believed the property was worth more money.

The property currently is not on the town’s tax roll, Town Manager Kristal Flagg said prior to the vote.

She believed a house lot that size with water and sewer available is usually assessed at about $6,500.

The town discovered the property was not being taxed after trees fell and knocked down utility lines, she said.

By selling it to abutters, the property will now be assessed taxes.

In another matter, the board also voted to renew an assessors contract for another year with John E. O’Donnell & Associates of New Gloucester. The firm works as the town’s assessing agents.

The contract has to be renewed each year, Demaray said.

The cost is $25,000, the same as last year, Flagg said.

Selectmen also voted unanimously to approve a tax abatement for $28,200 in valuation, which equals about $586.56 in taxes on a property at 24 Pleasant St., according to information selectmen received from assessing agent Paul Binette.

The reduction in valuation brings the property value down to $70,000 and the taxes to $1,456.

The property was initially assessed at $98,200 in valuation and assessed $2,042.56 in taxes. The building alone was assessed at $85,800 in value and the land at $12,400.

After the abatement, the land value remained the same but the building value was reduced to $57,600.

Owner Mike Bibeau requested an abatement. In his application he wrote that the building was listed at $59,000 for a year on the real estate market and “there were no bites.” He wrote that there was severe damage from tenants and that work would be done.

Binette wrote in a letter that selectmen agreed to sign Monday, that a review of the property revealed the present condition of the structure has been unrentable/inhabitable.

“We have confirmed that some maintenance is under way and we will monitor the progress,” Binette stated.

Demaray requested that Flagg make sure the board followed the proper process to grant the abatement.

In other business, the board approved the appointment of Robin Beck to fill Kenny Jacques’ term on the Planning Board until June 2013.

Flagg said Beck has an extensive resume and education and will be a good fit and will be able to help out the Planning Board.

Jacques resigned the board a couple of months ago, Flagg said.

Selectmen also approved a special amusement permit for Tricia Cote to hold a lung cancer, walk-run-a-thon from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Recreation Field. Benefit organizers are considering having a DJ and music at the event and that is why a permit is needed, Flagg said.

The board also voted unanimously to waive the $25 permit because it is a fundraiser.

dperry@sunjournal.com

Copy the Story Link