Rangeley voters will decide Tuesday, Nov. 4, whether the town should acquire a .35 acre property at 50 Pleasant St.

Polls for the special town meeting will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Town Office, 15 School St.

The $99,500 cost would come from the unassigned fund balance.

The property is next to the Town Office and Rangeley Fire Rescue parcel, and abuts the town lot at 3 School St.

Town Manager Joe Roach said during a public hearing Monday, Sept. 29, that the family of the property owner reached out to see if the town would be interested in acquiring the property. The request was brought to the Board of Selectmen on Sept. 2 and executive sessions were held to finalize a purchase agreement, which has been signed, pending board and town meeting approval.

A building on the property would need to be demolished, which the Public Works Department would do, Roach said.

If purchased, about $1,000 will be removed from the tax rolls. Even if voters approve the purchase, the Board of Selectmen has the authority to proceed with or abandon the sale. A due diligence period is in effect through Nov. 30, allowing time for a complete title search and environmental impact survey.

Roach urged caution on spending money on an environmental impact survey until it was determined if voters were in favor of the purchase.

The property gained attention in August when a 14-year-old was arrested for allegedly ransacking the house and setting small fires, according to the Maine Department of Public Safety.

Roach said there is no specific use in mind for the property, which is in the village zone. Options discussed Monday included parking and a town office annex. Considering the impact on the neighborhood would be a priority, Roach said.

The next public hearing on the matter will be Monday, Oct. 20, at 5 p.m. in the Town Office conference room.