No details on unique bid for old firehouse

SALISBURY — The auction for the purpose of selling the old firehouse on Sharon Road (Route 41) was canceled because there was only one bid received, First Selectman Curtis Rand announced on Wednesday, June 15.The deadline for initial bids was Monday, June 13. The bids were to be handed over to the town’s attorney for evaluation, and a meeting with bidders was scheduled for Thursday, June 17.But with no other bid, there is no need for the auction, and Rand said that he was advised by counsel not to release specifics about the one bid received. Rand said everything is in a preliminary stage. “We’re negotiating now,” to see if the bidder would be willing to increase or otherwise modify the offer.Negotiations continued Monday, June 20, with Rand attending a meeting in Goshen. He said the offer contains conditions that need to be ironed out by the lawyers.“We’re working on details to see if the offer will stand,” Rand said. “Then the selectmen will discuss it and see if we want to bring it to a town meeting.” Asked if he thought that might happen in time for the July regular selectmen’s meeting, Rand said it was doubtful.Rand is keeping quiet about the offer’s specifics, including the identity of the potential buyer. In response to requests for specifics from The Lakeville Journal and from Mike Flint of CATV6, Rand wrote in an email, “I have determined and certified that the public interest in disclosure of the bid is outweighed by the public interest in the confidentiality of the bid.“Therefore, the bid is exempt from disclosure under Connecticut General Statutes section 1-210(b)(24), and I must decline your request.”