The Chilmark select board met Tuesday evening for its first in-person meeting since the advent of the pandemic. The meeting was simultaneously held remotely. The board addressed the fate of a derelict dwelling that sits on land off Middle Road, slated to be the site of a new Tri-Town Ambulance headquarters. The dwelling previously belonged to the parents of town administrator Tim Carroll. The Carrolls sold it to Chilmark for $900,000. The board voted unanimously to declare the dwelling surplus property worth less than $10,000, and authorized Carroll to prepare advertisements and bid packages for its removal.
Carroll told the board the dwelling was uninsulated, devoid of appliances, and has been open to the elements since it was used for tactical training. “It’s of de minimis value,” Carroll said.
Select board member Bill Rossi, a professional real estate agent, agreed. He said it was worth less than $100.
“Whoever takes it away is going to save us about $20,000 to demolish it,” Rossi said.
Carroll said there are already two interested parties. Both want to move it to private lots either on South Road or Middle Road. He said questions remain about the legality of placing the dwelling on those lots.
Carroll noted the dwelling would need to be removed in a timely manner, and with adequate insurance coverage. “Basically, we want it out of here with no expense to the town,” he said.
