JAY — A local forester told selectmen that money received from the sale of timber on the town’s tower lot is ahead of bid price.

The proceeds from the lot go into the town’s recreation reserve fund.

Forester Steve Gettle of Jay, who is contracted to handle the town’s woodlots, said on Jan. 9, that there are 37 acres left to harvest of the 152 harvestable acres on the lot.

The proceeds from the timber as of last week totaled $103,471.80, he said. The bid price from L & A. Ridley Inc. of Jay, which is doing the work, is $130, 471.80.

Gettle expects that once all of the wood is cut, the town will receive more than expected. There have been some changes in wood prices, he said.

Gettle told selectmen he is recommending to Ron Ridley to finish up the section of the lot he is on and then move to the town’s transfer station lot.

The lot is frozen solid and it would be a good time for Ridley to go back and finish it, he said.

Some areas of that lot, off Route 4, are very wet, he said. Ridley had to leave the lot a few years ago when it turned too wet to finish harvesting.

Gettle also presented paperwork to the board for Town Manager Ruth Cushman to sign for an updated intent-to-harvest form so it can be filed.

Ridley would return to the tower lot to finish up later.

Selectmen voted to extend Ridley’s contract.

Gettle also told the board that someone has cut over onto the town’s transfer station woodlot.

He estimated it was about wheeler-load of hardwood.

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