[Source: Doug Cook, Daily Courier] -- The Dewey-Humboldt Town Council Tuesday took the first step toward possibly buying nine properties in historic downtown Humboldt. In a 4-1 vote, the council hired Prescott-based appraiser Scott Larsen to determine the value of the approximately 3 acres along Main Street. Mayor Earl Goodwin said the town will pay Larsen between $7,500 to $8,500 for the appraisal, which will require six to eight weeks to complete.The estate of the late Sal Mennuti owns these properties. Members of the estate are collaborating with Town Attorney Kenton Jones to discuss the town's potential purchase of the lands and its accompanying buildings, which date to the early 1900s. Councilman Floyd Wright, who voted against hiring an appraiser, questioned whether the town could resell the properties even if they were bought at a negotiated price. "Some are wondering if it's within the purview of the council to spend monies on this," Wright said. "Perhaps it should be done through grants with the Humboldt Historical Society." Goodwin disagreed, saying the appraiser's lone job is to determine the value of the properties' buildings based on their location, zoning and condition. A town building official will accompany the appraiser to determine the structures' stability. [Note: To read the full article, click here.]
