Published: 1/13/2021 3:42:29 PM
Modified: 1/13/2021 3:42:23 PM
WENDELL — The run-down house on roughly 6 acres at 40 Gate Lane remains standing for now as Selectboard members discuss what to do with it.
Chair Dan Keller said the structure “is a disaster” and has been abandoned for years. Ownership was taken by the town years ago due to property tax delinquency.
“It’s in pretty bad shape,” Keller said.
He said there are talks of obtaining state Department of Environmental Protection permits to burn down the house, a tactic that was previously used on a different structure in town. Keller said there could be a request for proposals for salvage at the site.
“We need to do some legal research on that,” he said, adding that the plan is to sell the land at auction.
Jackie Boyden, of the Wendell Board of Assessors, said the house value is $47,000 and the land value is $46,300, for a total value of $93,300.
Keller said the property is difficult to get to, because Gate Lane is a private road that is not well-maintained. He had planned to visit the site Sunday with an attorney friend whom he asked to help assess the situation. He said the two started to walk to the property but Gate Lane was solid ice and treacherous, forc ing them to turn back.
Kelle r said the property in que stion will again be discussed at the Selectboard meeting on Jan. 20.
Re ac h Domenic Poli at: dp ol i@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 262.