KINGFIELD — The town should consider buying the former Knapp Brothers lot on Depot Street for public parking, resident John Goldfrank told selectmen Monday night.

The property is owned by Peter Perry and is listed for $120,000, he said.

Goldfrank, who owns Longfellow’s Restaurant on Main Street, said the lot would add much-needed public parking space for area businesses.

The nearby Mount Abram Health Center and the Webster Public Library have little space for parking, and most Main Street businesses are squeezed for space, he said. If the Depot Street property sells to a private entity, it will be gone forever as potential municipal space, he said.

Eight years ago, when the Poland Spring Tax Increment Financing district was formed, the town bought two parcels south of town for $600,000, Goldfrank said.

The former Knapp Brothers lot has a rich commercial history, he said. Originally, the depot served the Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad. Later, it became a three-generation family-owned automobile dealership.

“Hopefully, we would preserve it like we have preserved other pieces of land,” he told selectmen.

The lot is used for Kingfield Days events and for Public Works snow removal. Future use could include business and economic needs, including Kingfield POPS, crafts fairs and art walks, which contribute to the town’s economy, Goldfrank suggested.

Selectmen could poll the public and negotiate with the real estate broker and Perry to discuss a purchase price, he said. He also suggested delaying a decision until the June town meeting could be a mistake.

“Will it be there come June 8?” he asked.

Selectman Mervin Wilson said pavement on the lot is in poor shape.

Selectman Ray Meldrum suggested town property wouldn’t generate revenue.

The board agreed to ask Administrative Assistant Leanna Targett to get more information.

In other matters, selectmen reviewed the option to cap sewer connections for seasonal residents.

Wilson said residents in neighboring Carrabassett Valley must pay to connect or disconnect to the town’s system. Other towns charge a cost-prohibitive fee for connection service, he said.

The requests for seasonal disconnection seem to be coming from property owners who have unrented apartments, but for the system to pay for itself, the town needs to maintain a stable customer base, selectmen said. Allowing system users to connect and disconnect without penalty would disrupt the financial structure that allows the system to pay for itself, they said.

Compared to other municipalities, Kingfield’s sewer rate is a bargain, Targett said.

“We still have the lowest user rates in the state of Maine,” she said.

Selectmen agreed to take no action on the matter.

Targett announced Regional School Unit 58 director Sarah Byrne’s term and Selectman Wilson’s term expire this year. Potential candidates may get nomination papers at the Town Office starting March 13. They must be returned by April 22, Targett said.

Selectman Heather Moody said Targett will send final notices to owners of 18 properties, warning them the town will foreclose on their property Feb. 20 if they have not paid their taxes.

Copy the Story Link