Oct. 8--DOVER-FOXCROFT, Maine -- An attorney for the Piscataquis County commissioners is attempting to iron out a wrinkle in the county's planned purchase of Depot Street property in Moosehead Junction Township for a trailhead.

Commissioners placed a $1,000 retainer on the 2 acres, which is considered ideal for an all-terrain vehicle and snowmobile trailhead for the Moosehead Lake region. The property is adjacent to the ATV and snowmobile Interconnecting Trail System that connects residents and tourists to destinations throughout Maine and into Quebec.

While doing a title search for the county in preparation for the purchase, lawyer David Gray of Dover-Foxcroft found there are deed restrictions on the property because it is located in the Moosehead Industrial Park. He informed commissioners of his finding during an executive session held Tuesday.

"We need some clarification from the seller as to how that applies to that land in question," Commissioner Tom Lizotte said Wednesday of the covenants. "That may require the seller to get some waivers from the park owner before we move forward with the sale."

The county received a $45,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's rural development agency and a $23,885 grant from the Department of Conservation's land and water conservation unit for the land purchase and property improvements. Those grants will be executed only if the purchase is made.

Lizotte was optimistic that the sale will proceed.

"Hopefully, it won't hold up the deal. I think the questions are answerable, but we want the answers before we sign on the dotted line," he said

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