NORWAY — The Board of Selectmen on Thursday unanimously awarded a seven-acre parcel on Pikes Hill to an abutter for a bid $40,000.

Marjy E. Sessions of 159 Pikes Hill Road was one of two bidders for the tax-acquired property at 157 Pikes Hill Road. Sessions said she wanted the land as an addition to her property.

In April, the Board of Selectmen decided to advertise the land  for sale. The property was advertised at a minimum price of $28,000. The amount was deemed sufficient to cover all back taxes and cleanup costs paid by the town.

“I’m pleased for the town that it gets to recover its costs. I think it’s a good solution,” said Town Manager David Holt, who recommended to selectmen that the bid be awarded to Sessions.

The second bidder was Peter Harbage of Greenleaf Avenue in Norway. Harbage, who bid $35,500, said he wanted the land as an investment and possible future home site.

The property was owned by Christopher and Mary Buckley and was the scene of a fire in the spring 2011. The blaze destroyed their century-old home and left the couple and their two children homeless. The cause was thought to be electrical.

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Following the fire, Code Enforcement Officer Joelle Corey-Whitman notified the Buckleys that the property had to be cleaned up.

In August 2011, local excavator Scott Roberts began the cleanup after the town agreed to do the job and put a lien the property to recoup the cost, because the owners failed to clean it adequately.

The property was cleaned of all debris. There is septic and a well on the property, but town officials said at the time they put the land out to bid they were unsure of the well and septic conditions.

ldixon@sunjournal.com


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