Voters to consider land purchase St. George selectmen eye former dental office for possible town uses

ST. GEORGE – Selectmen have signed an agreement to buy a former Tenants Harbor dental office for $130,000, but the deal is contingent on voter approval.

A special town meeting is set for October at the town office.

Taxpayers will be asked to support the purchase, which consists of an 1,100-square-foot dwelling and 24-square-foot garage on a half-acre parcel. The property, owned by retired dentist Dr. T. Way McDonald, is located across Route 131 from the Jackson Memorial Library.

The town has the property assessed at $86,000, Town Manager John Falla said Thursday, and a recent appraisal by Coastal Appraisal Co. of Thomaston put the value at $106,000.

McDonald’s son-in-law, Jake Diemert, initially wanted $150,000 for the real estate, Falla said, but after reviewing all the values decided to reduce the asking price to $130,000.

On Monday, selectmen and the budget committee recommended offering $130,000, pending voter approval, Falla said, and it was accepted by the seller.

At one time, the building was the Tenants Harbor Post Office, Tim Polky, assistant to the town manager, said.

The future use of the dwelling, garage and land is undecided, Falla said, but there are a host of possible uses, including a storage building for the recreation department or public works supplies and parking space. The land could be used for installing a septic system for the library, he said. Falla also noted that the property is close to the school, ball field, town office and public landing.