[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Putnam as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 6-22-2022 STM]
This article is adopted for the purpose of establishing a process for the sale or disposition of real estate not used or reserved for Town purposes, including any such real estate which may have been acquired through a tax sale, tax foreclosure, or deed in lieu of tax foreclosure.
The sale of any interest in real estate not used for Town purposes shall be subject to the relevant provisions of the Town Charter. This article shall not apply to real property or interests in real property which have been granted to the Town as open space in approved subdivisions or as conservation or preservation easements. Further, this article shall only apply to parcels of real estate for which the Town Assessor has determined the fair market value to be less than $5,000 on the most recent grand list.
The following procedures shall be followed unless and until the Board of Selectmen determines that another means of disposal serves the best interests of the Town.
A. 
The Board of Selectmen shall consult with other Town agencies, including, without limitation, the Superintendent of Schools, the Highway Superintendent, the Recreation Director, the Recreation Committee, Redevelopment Agency, and the Planning Commission to determine whether the property has any potential use for Town purposes.
B. 
In the event the foregoing entities do not believe the property can be used for Town purposes and the manner in which the property was acquired by the Town is uncertain, a title search shall be conducted in order to determine whether the property is subject to any restrictions or encumbrances that would prohibit its sale or disposition.
C. 
The Board of Selectmen shall forward the proposal to sell or dispose of the property to the Planning Commission for its review under C.G.S. § 8-24.
D. 
If applicable, the Board of Selectmen shall hold a public hearing on the proposed sale or disposition of the property as provided in C.G.S. § 7-163e.
E. 
The Board of Selectmen shall publish notice of the proposed sale of the property in a newspaper of general circulation and may advertise the sale of the property on the Town's website or other means and shall accept sealed bids for the purchase of such property.
F. 
Publication shall contain a detailed description of the property and shall set forth the terms and conditions of the sale, including, but not limited to, the minimum bid, if any, and the amount and form of the deposit payment necessary to accompany a bid or offer to purchase. The notice shall also include the place, date and time when such bids shall be due.
G. 
The Board of Selectmen shall have the right to reject any and all bids submitted.
H. 
The Board of Selectmen may waive any irregularities or informalities in any bids submitted.
I. 
If all bids are rejected or no bids are received , the property shall remain in Town ownership and shall remain subject to the provisions of the Charter and this article unless the Board of Selectmen approve another manner for the sale or disposition of real estate or reserved for Town purposes.
J. 
In addition to the bid price, successful bidders shall be responsible for reimbursing the Town for any legal expenses associated with the preparation of the transaction documents and conveying title. Reimbursement of legal expenses may be waived by the Board of Selectmen if they determine that doing so is in the best interests of the Town.
In accordance with the Charter of the Town of Putnam, this article should be effective on July 21, 2022.