TOWN OF BARRE

Board of Selectmen’s Policy

Municipal-Owned Properties

I.      EXCESS LANDS:

The Town of Barre owns several parcels of land and buildings.  The Selectmen’s ability to sell unused lands or land with little public value is limited by Section 41 of the Town Charter and citizen authorization.  When it is in the public interest, subject to such restrictions and limitations, the Selectmen hereby adopt the following policy for disposal of such lands in accordance with the following priorities and procedures:

1.                  Land Swaps  - The Selectmen should solicit, consider, and accept (if appropriate) trades of parcels held by the Town for other parcels which hold a higher public value.  (Example for illustrative purposes: The Town should negotiate a trade of a small subdivision parcel acquired through tax sales, for an undeveloped parcel adjacent to an existing public building.)  Such trades should be negotiated privately, a purchase and sale option agreement or other similar instrument secured, and a public hearing held prior to final authorization and execution.

2.                  Land Sales  - Unused lands or lands of little public value should be sold at or near fair market value upon private negotiation with interested buyers.  Purchase and sale agreements shall also be subject to public hearing prior to final execution.

3.                  Land Auctions  - Unused lands or lands of little public value not subject or likely to be subject to land swaps or land sales, shall be released for sale by sealed competitive bids.  Public hearings shall be held prior to authorization to solicit bids.

Adopted by Barre Town Board of Selectmen this 12^th day of February, 1991.

BARRE TOWN BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Jeffrey Blow, Chairman

Bruce Haskell

David Roberts

W. John Mitchell II

Ernest Bancroft, Jr.