It's official: $858K home sells for $10K and new owner has 45 days to move it

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November 17, 2009

By Jonathan Phelps The Gloucester Daily Times Tue Nov 17, 2009, 10:55 PM EST

MANCHESTER — The house at 156 Pine St. might soon become 136 Pine St. But the numbers aren't switching — the house will be moving.

The bid from CN Building Movers in Dracut for $10,718 to buy the large yellow house from the town and move it was approved by selectmen Monday night. This house is one of three homes located on contaminated land that the town bought from their owners; the town purchased it in July for $858,000 from David and Julie Gesner. The town was ordered to clean up the lots the homes sit on by the Department of Environmental Protection because of contamination caused when the land was used as a burn dump in the 1950s.

The town also put the other two houses — 158 and 160 Pine St. — up for bid but there were no takers. However, there was a bid for $1 for the garage at 158 Pine St. submitted by David Doucette, who works for the town's Department of Public Works. Selectmen also approved this bid at the meeting.

Chris Nastasi, owner of CN Building Movers, said the preliminary plan is to buy the house at 136 Pine St., tear it down, and move the house at 156 Pine St. to this new location. At the meeting on Monday night, John Belanger, also of CN Building Movers, told selectmen that the company was close to reaching a deal for the site.

"It will look nice over there," said Nastasi. "It will fit right in."

The house will likely be moved on a weekend, and it should take no longer than half a day, the company officials said.

Nastasi said the company has two other options for the house if the main plan to buy 136 Pine St. falls through. He doesn't know for sure when the company will be moving the house or what it will do with it once it is moved. One option includes selling it and another involves having one of the company's partners move in, he said.

Questions were brought up by Tom Henderson, the town's tree warden about whether or not any trees would have to be removed for the big move. The company officials said only a few limbs would have to come down but not whole trees.

Town Administrator Wayne Melville will be working with the company to sign all the final paperwork for the sale this week. After the bid was approved, the company asked for the keys for the house to begin clearing it.

Melville said the company has a 45-day deadline to move the home, but the town is willing to work with CN Building Movers it the company is unable to make the deadline.

Selectmen seem excited about the deal.

"Let us know when you are going to move (the house) because that will be quite the sight," said Selectmen Chairman Susan Thorne.

Jonathan Phelps may be contacted at 978-283-7000 x3447 or gt_reporter@gloucestertimes.com