Politics & Government

Town Meeting Tuesday on Second Cottage Auction

Town meeting will also have votes on appropriating $200,000 to replace two heating systems.

Brookfield residents and property owners are invited to a special town meeting Tuesday night to vote on holding a second auction for the historic cottage behind Brookfield Library, this time with a much lower starting bid.

The meeting starts at 6 p.m. in Town Hall meeting room 133.

The cottage and barn were purchased by the Library Board of Trustees for $169,900 and deeded to the town in 2001, however the property and its buildings have since fallen into disrepair.

An auction was held in March with a reserve price of $140,000 and the stipulation that the new owners had to restore the buildings within 18 months. (The property was assessed at $151,310 in 2011.)
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The second auction is tentatively set for Saturday, Nov. 8 at 9:30 a.m. at the Brookfield Library.
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The property failed to garner any bids in March and, if approved Tuesday night, will be back on the block on Nov. 8 with the minimum bid set at $30,000. New owners would still be required to begin restoration work within six months and be finished within 18 months of closing.

(The Board of Selectmen can grant an extension on that timetable.)

In addition, the new owners will have to put in a new driveway for the property, which will require an application from the Department of Transportation as it exits onto Route 25, a state road.

Prospective bidders must also submit a $2,500 bank check made out to the Town of Brookfield before the auction begins.

At Tuesday’s special town meeting, residents will also be asked to vote on appropriating $85,000 and $115,000 to replace heating systems at the Brookfield Volunteer Fire Company headquarters and the Town Garage, respectively.


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