Selectmen voted Tuesday to clean up an abandoned property at 130 Wilton Road in Farmington. A state law gives towns such authority.  

FARMINGTON — The Board of Selectmen agreed Tuesday to clean up the abandoned Ted Gay property on Wilton Road and add the cost to the property tax bill, Town Manager Richard Davis said.

The boarded-up house and overgrown vegetation at 130 Wilton Road is at a gateway to the town.

A state law governing abandoned properties allows the town to clean up the site, if the owners do not, he said. The costs incurred would be added to the property tax bill.

In November 2014, selectmen agreed to a plan presented by Gay’s daughter, Andra Hutchins, to board up windows and openings to prevent vandalism and to mow the property regularly. At that time, Gay was residing in a Massachusetts nursing home and had given his daughter authority over the property.

In November 2016, the board again discussed the property and considered court action.

In other business, the board voted 3-1 to approve adding Kashke Drive to a town meeting warrant asking voters to accept it as a town road.

Chairman Joshua Bell voted against it and Selectman Stephan Bunker was absent. Selectmen Matthew Smith, Scott Landry and Michael Fogg voted for it, Davis said.

Colon Durrell started a 14-lot subdivision off Holley Road in 1999. A U-shaped road about 1,300 feet long was constructed and waterlines and underground electric and telephone lines were installed.

The economy stalled sales and construction on the lots, but other improvements have been made annually, Durrell said in a written statement. This month, the road was paved and Durrell wanted to have Kashke Drive become a town road.

There was some discussion about waiting until houses were built, Davis said. But, he reminded the board that the increased property value of the lots with road paving would cover any plowing costs for the town.

The article will be added to the March town meeting warrant unless a special town meeting occurs before then, Davis said.

Selectmen also decided not to replace the Broadway pine tree that was removed recently because roots would like prevent growth of another tree. The sidewalk could be straightened and at least two, maybe four, diagonal parking spaces added, Davis said.

abryant@sunmediagroup.net

Selectmen voted Tuesday to clean up an abandoned property at 130 Wilton Road in Farmington. A state law gives towns such authority.