By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES — Local selectmen followed through with plans to gain the assistance of a real estate agent to sell waterfront lots on Trickey Pond.

On April 10, the Naples Board of Selectmen hired Jocelyn O’Rourke-Shane, with Maine Real Estate, to handle the sale of the parcel.

The Town of Naples ended up with ownership of the land through the tax-acquired process. This was verified by the town attorney since some people questioned the ownership and said the land had been set aside as common greenspace for a nearby development.

A few months ago, the Naples Land Use Committee recommended retaining the land, especially since it had waterfront access. However, at the request of many abutters who live off Trickey Pond and showed up to a meeting to speak against the committee’s recommendation, the selectmen agreed to sell the land.

Trickey Pond neighbors said the biggest problem with turning the lot into a town-owned beach or boat ramp was that public access meant people could party and engage in illegal activities. The town does not have the staffing to monitor such behavior, people pointed out. 

Therefore, the town tried to sell the land through the bid process, setting $750,000 as the minimum bid.

After no bids were received, the town changed its tune. The board decided to put out a bid for a real estate agent to help sell the property.

The Trickey Pond lot, also referred to as the Mayberry Lane Parcel, garnered three proposals from the eight invitations that were sent out, according to Naples Town Manager John Hawley.

The board voted, 3-0-1, to accept O’Rourke-Shane as the realtor to take care of the selling the land. She estimated the lot was worth $624,000 and she would receive five percent of the sale price.

Selectman Ted Shane abstained since he is married to O’Rourke-Shane.