Information Regarding Searsmont Town Meeting Warrant Article 20
Art. 20. To see if the town will approve and ratify a Purchase and Sales Agreement by and between the Town of Searsmont and KA Holdings, LLC, to purchase real property consisting of +/- 4 acres of land located in Come Spring Business Park, being a portion of a property depicted on Tax Map 010 Lot 116, for a purchase price of $250,000. The purpose of this purchase is to site a sand & salt shed, solid waste transfer station, and Fire Department pump house.
Searsmont urgently needs a permanent sand and salt shed and transfer station to comply with Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) requirements. The Searsmont sand & salt shed committee has spent the last year evaluating as many as 40 properties, and this is the only viable option that meets state regulations and has a willing seller.
Background:
Searsmont no longer owns a sand and salt shed. In 2022, the town sold its old facility and signed a $0 lease for 3 years to be able to continue to use the property. The lease expires this year, and we have the potential to extend the lease for an additional 1-3 years at a cost of $15, 000/year
The town recently learned that the seasonal relocation of the transfer station from Crie Road to the Community Building parking lot is in violation of DEP regulations. We have been ordered not to use the parking lot again after this season.
Without Action, The Town Faces:
- Significant fines for environmental violations.
- Costly upgrades to Crie Road for year-round transfer station access by trash hauling trucks. The cost of improving Crie Road is estimated at more than $760,000 in total project costs.
- Continued reliance on a non-DEP compliant leased facility.
Sand & Salt Shed Committee Key Site Selection Criteria:
- Close to town center to reduce plow travel time and cost.
- On a state or state-aid road to minimize maintenance expenses.
- Dry, stable land.
- Minimal neighborhood impact.
- Adequate space for vehicle circulation and transfer station.
- Minimize site development costs.
Why This Site?
- Permanent sand and salt shed location
- Accessible transfer station location
- Includes fire suppression pump station, improving the fire departments fire fighting capacity.
How will the town Pay For This Property?
The town has reserve funds set aside for the purchase of the property, which means this purchase will not result in an increase in taxes.
