TURNER — The Board of Selectmen has “reluctantly” dropped its lawsuit opposing the sale of land by SAD 52 to the town of Greene.

Turner officials have maintained that the $40,000 sale price for the 73 acres was far below fair market value.

The property was purchased for about $83,000 in 1991 for a school that was never built. Greene assesses the land at $73,000.

Town Manager Kurt Schaub on Monday provided a copy of a July 20 letter from the Turner Board of Selectmen to the SAD 52 directors. It expressed disappointment in the way the matter was handled but added, “We have no quarrel with Greene’s Selectmen and Manager — their objective was clearly to do the best they could for their taxpayers.”

The letter said the case was being dropped “reluctantly.”

“This decision is based solely on our desire not to spend any more money on legal fees, which would wipe out the benefit we hoped to gain for Turner’s taxpayers,” the letter said.

In an emailed response Tuesday, new SAD 52 Superintendent Kimberly Brandt said, “It is a relief to have this chapter in the district’s long-term relationship with the individual towns behind us. We are committed to continued transparency and open communication as we move forward in the work of educating the students of Turner, Leeds and Greene.”

In other business:

* Rescue Chief Lisa Bennett said the recent workplace inspection by the Maine Department of Labor went well. Minor improvements were made, including installing an outlet to protect people from electrical shock at the water dispenser. Reasonably priced portable eyewash stations were also purchased and installed. Bennett said overall the inspector seemed “very pleased.”

* Selectmen discussed plans to mount the Turner Town Bicentennial Bell 10 feet above the ground atop granite posts, safely out of reach of vandals. The bronze bell weighs 350 pounds and is 24 inches in diameter. It replaces the original bell stolen nearly three years ago.

* Selectman Kevin Nichols’ name appears on the official ballot for the Androscoggin County Budget Committee. Because two members from each district are required, the board voted unanimously to add Emily Darby, who has served previously, as a write-in nomination.

* Selectmen voted unanimously to use excess paving funds to extend the hot-topping project on Plains Road down to Route 219.

* The board will do more research before deciding whether the town’s new pickup truck should be a Dodge or a Ford and whether it should be gas or diesel powered.