April 4, 2018 at 5:30 p.m.
Plan to sell property to go to brokers after bid falls short
The Hope Town Council has decided to look for brokers to help sell a property on Elm Street.
Town Manager J.T. Doane said the town had spent about $5,000 to clear the derelict home and outbuildings from the town-owned property at 154 Elm St. An auction was set for Oct. 7th to receive public bids for the project, but only one person submitted a bid and that was for $4,800.
Town officials expected the property to sell for enough to cover the costs. Doane said the property had been expected to sell for between $4,800 and $11,000.
Doane said he would like to reject the bid and recommended the council consider putting the property up for sale through real estate brokers to see if they could get a better price.
The council approved the request and Doane said he would be in contact with the previous bidder.
In other business, Hope Town Council:
Doane reported that the project to turn an old well house on Jackson Street house into the Paula Pollitt Animal Shelter was proceeding. The building has been painted, a new electrical meter was installed and outside concrete pads for the dog runs along with dog doors are in the process of being installed next week. Other work needed includes a new roof and heating/air conditioning. Doane said an opening ceremony would be held when the project is completed.
Passed the town's 2017 budget.
Received an update on the town hall project from Eric Frey, executive director of Administrative Resources Association. Frey said there is a meeting, tentatively set for Oct. 27th, with the architect from RQAW to work toward loan and grant funding from the USDA for a new town hall project. The town will work to come up with a more detailed plan on the needs and parameters for a town hall project.
Frey reported that a grant application was submitted last month for a Hope Main Street project to revitalize the downtown area.
Hope Volunteer Fire Department has submitted a grant application to purchase new breathing gear for the firefighters. Chief Randy Wood said the existing equipment is old and outdated. Frey said the grant approval process is very competitive, but it would only be a 5 percent match from local funds if approved.
Town Council President Clyde Compton said he would like the town to apply again for grant funding to assist homeowners to fix up their property. Frey said the program could allow owner-occupied homes to receive upgrades and repairs. There are also grant funds available for older residents to update their homes with ramps or other amenities to allow them to stay in their homes longer.
Received an update from Strand Associates on the water system utility project. Steve Robertson with Strand said that workers are still waiting for one valve to arrive to finish up the water line connection along County Road 600N. Until then, the town's water is coming from a connection at Miller's Merry Manor.
Agreed to apply for a grant to purchase an inflatable device to protect town utility workers when they are working in ditches greater than four feet in depth. David Clouse, town utilities manager, said the safety equipment is required by OSHA and the grant would allow the city to purchase the equipment with the federal government paying 80 percent of the cost. The town's share would be about $1,900.
[[In-content Ad]]
