JAY – Selectmen awarded a small tax-acquired lot on Old Jay Hill Road to a man from Unity. His was the highest of five bids submitted.

Selectmen also took no action Monday on an offer of property on East Jay Road that abuts Parker Pond.

John A. Anderson was the high bidder at $1,273 for the tax-acquired lot in North Jay. If he fails to pay the town for the 60- by 60-foot lot within seven days, it will revert to the next highest bidder.

Other bids were $552 from Christy and Jeffrey McGlynn of Jay, $501 from Maine Department of Conservation Bureau of Parks and Land, $400 from Jennifer Smith of Jay, and $395.99 from Joseph Weston Jr.

In another matter, Selectmen Chairman Bill Harlow said that Dick and Jeanne Sproul are planning to sell their house and land at some point and wanted to know if the town was interested in buying it.

The Sprouls have 159 acres where their house sits and another parcel of 11 acres on East Jay Road. It abuts Parker Pond.

Harlow said Town Manager Ruth Marden asked if the couple would be willing to give the town an easement but they’re interested in selling it whole.

There is no public access to Parker Pond.

A dirt road known as Parker Pond Road that gave access to the pond, listed as a Great Pond in the state, was posted by landowners in 2004 due to excessive noise, partying and litter.

Only people who get written permission from the landowners or who own land on the road are allowed to travel on the road to the water.

The pond also serves as an alternate water source for the Livermore Falls Water District, which serves customers in Jay and Livermore Falls.

More than 370 people signed a petition asking selectmen to take all necessary steps to make Parker Pond Road a town way or recreational easement in 2004.

Harlow said at a previous meeting that residents had voted at least three times since 1958 to not close the road. In 1992, when the road closure was before residents again, Harlow said, it was discovered that the road was never accepted as a town road and withdrawn from a vote.

Selectmen raised concerns about buying the property, including being reluctant to take it off the tax rolls and acquiring a house and then having to resell it.

Board Vice Chairman Rick Simoneau said he didn’t think buying the property was in the town’s best interest.

The only thing selectmen can do, Harlow said, was hope the new owners were willing to give the town an easement over the property for public access to the pond.

The Sprouls were not available for comment Tuesday.

In other business, selectmen approved the School Committee overseeing the annual Thomas Plourde Scholarship for students.

They also approved about $2,100 to be taken Fire Rescue Department’s reserve account to get more restoration work on the 1989 Pierce pumper, Engine No. 2, that is expected to extend its life more than 10 years.

Hilltop Collision Center will do the work, fire Chief Scott Shink said.

Hilltop has the only garage with doors large enough to fit the truck, he said, and the company has been generous enough to allow firefighters to work on the truck in the garage.