HOULTON, Maine — Town councilors are debating what to do about municipality-owned property in Monticello that was purchased more than 25 years ago.
During a meeting on Oct. 14, Town Manager Marion Anderson said the town purchased the land for $35,300 in 1993 because it needed the topsoil to aid in the closure of the municipal landfill.
The town pays Monticello a $400 tax bill as a result.
“We checked with the individuals who monitor the landfill and were told that they saw no need for us to continue to own this property,” Anderson told the council. “So do you want to sell it or do you want to keep paying the taxes?”
Councilor Raymond Jay was interested in the amount of timber that was on the land.
“There are 66 acres,” she said.
The town received $22,000 in revenue after the land was harvested six years ago.
Jay wondered if the town could continue to harvest it and make more money.
“It is only costing us $600 a year,” he said.
Anderson noted that the $600 was only for the taxes. The town still had to pay to insure the land.
Councilor Sue Tortello said that she was interested in making sure all of the assets on the land were liquidated before it was sold.
The council ultimately decided to table the matter to gather more information before they made a final decision.
