By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES — This town’s selectmen are confident that the sale of a tax-acquired waterfront lot could bring in close to $1 million.

The Naples Board of Selectmen was so certain of people’s interest in purchasing the parcel on Trickey Pond that the board set a minimum bid of $750,000.   

The Trickey Pond lot has been referred to as the Mayberry Landing property.

Last month, on Dec. 12, at the urging of landowners around the pond, the selectmen decided to put up the parcel for sale rather than keep it for open space.

On Jan. 18, the selectmen voted, 4-0, to offer the land to the public through the sealed bid process with a deadline of Feb. 27, and to set the minimum price at $750,000.

Following the vote, Selectman Kevin Rogers commented.

“The net is pretty big. There is a lot of chatter out there,” he said.

Prior to the vote, Rogers responded to the topic of how long to offer the bid.

“We should test the water, put it out for two months,” he said.

In talking to people in the community, the price of $750,000 has come up a lot, he said.

“I don’t feel the urgency. We shouldn’t be sitting here wanting to get rid of it. We want to maximize what we can get for it,” Rogers said.

Jim Grattelo, who joined the meeting via Zoom, concurred with Rogers.

“There is no urgency. We should test the waters,” he said.

Like Rogers, he had heard prices attached to conversations and social media comments about the lot that the board had decided to sell.

“I heard the number $750,000. Someone would write a check for $750,000 and buy that property,” he said.

Grattelo suggested allowing real estate brokers with clients willing to spend more than the minimum bid to participate in the sealed bid process.

“Realtors have a wider net. They might get $1 million. Bring somebody to the party from out of state who has deeper pockets,” he said.

“Kevin is right. There’s no rush. Take our time. Get the best deal for the taxpayers of Naples,” Grattelo said.

Earlier in the discussion, Naples Town Manager John Hawley introduced the agenda item, asking the board what method of sale it would prefer.

“At your last meeting, you determined that you would sell parcel 5A in the Mayberry Landing Estates. Now, you need to determine how you want to sell the parcel, whether it be by auction, by sealed bid or by listing it with a realtor,” Hawley said.

“I think sealed bid option is the best. You get the biggest bang for the buck in terms of competitors interested,” he said.

After Hawley advised using the sealed bid method, Selectman Ted Shane asked if the town should require a minimum bid price.

Grattelo favored using a minimum bid, which is permissible in municipal government.

“Our obligation is to notify abutters, and we’ve done that. We have a right to put it out to bid and set a minimum bid and accept bids form anyone that is interested,” he said.

“What is number as a minimum? We should figure out what the price is and set a number higher than that. My recommendation would be to set minimum as high as we think we can get,” Grattelo said.

Selectman Colin Brackett asked how the sealed bid process works.

Hawley explained that the town would advertise it for about a month.

“The last time, we shortened the time frame, the responses were limited. We are not in any hurry to sell so we can afford a month,”  he said.

“Word of mouth will generate interest,” Hawley said.