LINCOLN, Maine — One day after town officials said the tenants of a tax-acquired mobile home park could face eviction, eight potential buyers made inquiries about obtaining the property, officials said Friday.
“I would say that it is strong and viable interest,” Town Council Chairman Steve Clay said. “No one has signed anything yet, but it is a good sign that we have had people contact us. Whether anything comes of it, who knows? We will just have to wait and see.”
The inquiries are responses to officials disclosing on Thursday that they might evict 10 families from Orchard Mobile Home Park. The town assumed ownership of the 11-home business off Grindel Street on March 10 because of nonpayment of about $31,000 in tax and water bills.
Officials did not release the identities of the potential buyers, but they said one potential buyer indicated an interest in the property and assuming its debts. Another offered an immediate $10,000 cash, said Clay, who declined to identify the people interested. A third party sought information from the Bangor Daily News.
Town Manager Ron Weatherbee said Friday that interested parties should email him at town.manager@lincolnmaine.org.
“Whether we have to go out to bid again or do an informal bid [with the possible buyers], I don’t know,” Weatherbee said.
The town put the property up for sale in a foreclosure auction more than a month ago, but it drew no bids when they were opened last week. Officials first became aware of the situation’s complexity when water department officials reported May 29 that they would halt service to the park on June 1 because of nonpayment of bills. The department agreed to extend the delay until the Town Council meets Monday, when it is expected to address the situation.
Lawyers from Eaton Peabody of Bangor continue to research the situation, Weatherbee said Friday. They are expected to provide the council with a list of options before Monday’s meeting.
One potential legal issue is former property owner Warren Brasslett of Greenbush’s apparent collection of rent after March 10. Several tenants and Brasslett told a Bangor Daily News reporter on Wednesday that he had made collections as recently as last month. Brasslett also said he owned the property and was current on his bills until told of the town’s ownership being effective March 10.
Town officials sent Brasslett several certified letters informing him of his overdue taxes before the foreclosure. U.S. Post Office notices indicate that he declined to accept them, Town Clerk Amanda Woodard has said.
A telephone message seeking comment from Brasslett on Friday was not returned.
The apparent rent collection is “one thing we are going to figure out,” tenant Chad Savage said Friday. “We will probably have to seek legal advice, unless the town will come after the money.”
Savage was pleased that the park drew investor attention. Eviction notices typically carry 45-day notice, and tenants fear the cost of moving their trailers or finding space in other parks.
“People are still kind of worried, but I guess it will be mellow until we go to the [council] meeting,” Savage said.