This article is adopted for the purpose of establishing a process
for the sale or disposition of real estate not used or reserved for
Town purposes, including any such real estate which may have been
acquired through a tax sale, tax foreclosure, or deed in lieu of tax
foreclosure.
The sale of any interest in real estate not used for Town purposes
shall be subject to the relevant provisions of the Town Charter. This article
shall not apply to real property or interests in real property which
have been granted to the Town as open space in approved subdivisions
or as conservation or preservation easements. Further, this article
shall only apply to parcels of real estate for which the Town Assessor
has determined the fair market value to be less than $5,000 on the
most recent grand list.
The following procedures shall be followed unless and until
the Board of Selectmen determines that another means of disposal serves
the best interests of the Town.
A. The Board
of Selectmen shall consult with other Town agencies, including, without
limitation, the Superintendent of Schools, the Highway Superintendent,
the Recreation Director, the Recreation Committee, Redevelopment Agency,
and the Planning Commission to determine whether the property has
any potential use for Town purposes.
B. In the
event the foregoing entities do not believe the property can be used
for Town purposes and the manner in which the property was acquired
by the Town is uncertain, a title search shall be conducted in order
to determine whether the property is subject to any restrictions or
encumbrances that would prohibit its sale or disposition.
C. The Board
of Selectmen shall forward the proposal to sell or dispose of the
property to the Planning Commission for its review under C.G.S. §
8-24.
D. If applicable,
the Board of Selectmen shall hold a public hearing on the proposed
sale or disposition of the property as provided in C.G.S. § 7-163e.
E. The Board
of Selectmen shall publish notice of the proposed sale of the property
in a newspaper of general circulation and may advertise the sale of
the property on the Town's website or other means and shall accept
sealed bids for the purchase of such property.
F. Publication
shall contain a detailed description of the property and shall set
forth the terms and conditions of the sale, including, but not limited
to, the minimum bid, if any, and the amount and form of the deposit
payment necessary to accompany a bid or offer to purchase. The notice
shall also include the place, date and time when such bids shall be
due.
G. The Board
of Selectmen shall have the right to reject any and all bids submitted.
H. The Board
of Selectmen may waive any irregularities or informalities in any
bids submitted.
I. If all
bids are rejected or no bids are received , the property shall remain
in Town ownership and shall remain subject to the provisions of the
Charter and this article unless the Board of Selectmen approve another
manner for the sale or disposition of real estate or reserved for
Town purposes.
J. In addition
to the bid price, successful bidders shall be responsible for reimbursing
the Town for any legal expenses associated with the preparation of
the transaction documents and conveying title. Reimbursement of legal
expenses may be waived by the Board of Selectmen if they determine
that doing so is in the best interests of the Town.
In accordance with the Charter of the Town of Putnam, this article
should be effective on July 21, 2022.