In a special town meeting Wednesday evening, Jan. 15 at Pownalborough Hall, Dresden residents voted 27-7 to take $50,000 from surplus to buy 540 Gardiner Road. Marilyn Baker’s property is next door to the town office. Officials said parking might be ready by the end of summer and a septic system could also go there.

Selectmen fielded questions over the 45-minute meeting on the one article up for a vote after David Probert was elected moderator. Selectman Allan Moeller noted the town had already sold a $20,000 property on Blueberry Lane and expected to sell a 163 Common Road lot for $50,000 Jan. 21. Budget Review Committee member Heather Beasley added, the BRC plans to recommend a “sizeable amount” of the rest of the surplus go toward the tax commitment to help lower taxes. Town Administrator Michael Henderson said buying the property will end its approximately $1,600 in annual taxes.

According to selectmen, a building on the property is uninhabitable and would most likely need to be taken down. Moeller said the board had already received two bids to tear it down, for $12,500 and $12,900. Selectmen said they also may look into a controlled burn by the fire department, but emphasized they had not yet fully investigated that option.

“I rise in support of (buying the property) because I believe in the future of Dresden,” resident Peter Walsh said, “I’m looking ahead …  this would be a step towards fixing up our downtown which is the first thing people see. And it really isn’t going to cost us that much.” Fellow resident Cynthia Anderson agreed. “I see this as an insurance policy… it’s a no brainer.”

Resident Eleanor Everson suggested the article be amended to include a more specific listing for the property to avoid any legal issues. The tax plot identification and account number were added with a unanimous vote before the article passed.