FARMINGTON — Closing on the purchase of property at 112 Church St. was postponed from Sept. 14 to Oct. 14, Town Manager Richard Davis told the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday.

The town proposed to purchase the property for $79,000, raze the building and create new downtown parking spaces.

One reason for the delay is the town’s cash flow as tax bills just went out last week, he said. The other reason: A tenant is still in the building.

There’s also some concern about a couple of uninspected vehicles and a dumpster still on the property and items such as furniture left by former tenants, he said.

It is the seller’s responsibility to clear the building of tenants and their possessions. The town is not responsible for disposal fees, he said.

There is some interest in salvaging items such as beams from the house, Davis said. The Fire Department is also interested in using the property for training before it is demolished.

The town may take possession of the property and board the building up until spring, he said.

In other business, board members expressed interest in further discussion on an idea to have the county provide animal control services.

Sheriff Scott Nichols is exploring the possibility of providing an animal control officer on a 24-hour basis through his department. A person trained for the work and as a deputy was proposed by Nichols in a memo to Farmington Police Chief Jack Peck.

For many years, the town has contracted with Wayne Atwood for animal control services. He now provides the service from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. A person who was hired to provide night and weekend coverage resigned in July. Although advertised, the position has not been filled, Peck said.

The Police Department spends $710 per month for animal control services. Atwood is paid half that amount, he said.

Selectman Stephan Bunker expressed willingness for further discussion. The amount spent on animal control services is public record, he said.  

The board agreed to respond to Nichols’ inquiry.

The board also appointed Pam Poisson to serve on the Parking Ordinance Committee.

Davis reminded the board that another compost sale will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 11 and 12, at the Transfer Station.

A public meeting on the BeeLine Cable Television franchise agreement will take place at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, at the Community Center for Farmington and Wilton. Both towns have the same agreement with the cable company and will meet together.

abryant@sunmediagroup.net

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