Massachusetts city can't unload house near landfill

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (AP) - Northampton's Board of Public Works has lowered the price of a 3,000-square-foot home it's trying to sell to a bargain-basement level because there's barely been a sniff of interest.

The four-bedroom home on 2.4 acres of land is right next to the city's 50-acre landfill, and when potential buyers find out, they back away.

The home went on the market about a year ago for nearly $479,000, but when it didn't sell, the price was lowered to $375,000. Board Chairman Terry Culhane said the price was slashed again to $290,000 last week.

The board bought the home as part of a legal settlement with the previous owners, who frequently complained about odors emanating from the landfill.

Culhane tells The Republican of Springfield he'd be "surprised" if someone doesn't bite now.

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Information from: The Springfield Republican, http://www.masslive.com/news/

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.