NEW GLOUCESTER — After months of closed-session meetings, the New Gloucester Board of Selectmen unanimously agreed on March 2 to direct the town manager to execute the offer, purchase and sale agreement on a 4.48-acre lot and house in Upper Gloucester.

The agreement with Roger Parsons, representative for the Estate of Natalie Parsons, includes 4.48 acres of land in Upper Gloucester with a purchase price of $140,000. Part of the agreement includes a rider that Parsons relinquish his right of first refusal on the property.

The board approved a $500 deposit in earnest money from the town’s unbudgeted account as part of the agreement.

Voters in New Gloucester must OK the sale, contingent on funding approval, as part of the warrant at the annual town meeting on May 4.

Over the years, the town has accrued funds set aside for future land purchases, now totaling $127,000. These funds were approved by voters from past warrant requests.

The land complements an Upper Village Master Plan and is adjacent to the town’s Public Works department.

The Upper Village plan includes the relocation of the Public Works garage. Engineering studies for a new town garage are in the works. The plan also calls for developing a pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use development with a village green, parking and a community septic system. Public water is available in the area.

A public workshop on the Upper Village property purchase will be held at 7 p.m., April 15, at the AMVET Post 6 Hall on Route 100. 

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