(8/24) Carroll Valley residents hoping to buy borough-owned lots need to act fast. Sealed bids for nine properties are due 11 a.m., Oct. 9.
Bidders must submit a cash, certified check, or bid bond with their bid equal to 10% of the total bid. The borough will return the money after the bidding process.
The lots for sale with public sewer available and their minimum bids are: 4 Grouse Trail (0.78 acres), $47,000; 22 Sunshine Trail (0.87 acres), $54,000; 19 Sunfish Trail (0.54 acres), $45,000; 50 Crossland Trail (0.82 acres), $40,000; 2 Elm Trail (0.57 acres), $45,000; 39 Main Trail (0.46 acres), $39,000; 45/47 Crossland Trail (1.36 acres), $58,000; and 49/51 Crossland Trail (0.94 acres), $51,000.
A lot at 68 Shirley Trail (0.52 acres) cannot connect to public sewer, but it has passed a perc. A perc test determines if a lot’s soil will absorb water at the necessary rate. If a perc test fails, a septic system cannot be installed on the property. It’s minimum bid is $44,000.
The minimum bids were determined by the appraisal value, Borough Manager Hazlett said. Councilmember Cody Gilbert questioned the reasoning, suggesting that the borough would still benefit if people bid close to the appraisal value.
Councilmember Michael Wight disagreed with Gilbert, noting that council has a fiscal responsibility to taxpayers to receive at least the appraised value of the properties.
"If you have something that is worth a million and you can’t get $50 for it, what’s it really worth," Gilbert asked.
"If it belongs to someone else, it’s still worth what they think it is worth," Wight said.
Council President Richard Mathews said the council followed guidelines set forth by the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs.
Councilmember Bruce Carr expressed support for Gilbert’s proposal, adding that selling the lots for any amount will still benefit the borough because they will collect taxes from the owners in the future. Since the borough owns them, the lots are currently off the tax rolls.
The Council has not yet announced what it will do with the money it receives from the sales. Hazlett said previously the staff hopes it will direct the money towards creating a new borough park. A special committee is exploring options for a 50-acre lot along Route 16 near Frontier BBQ.
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