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NORTH SALEM - Hundreds of potential buyers showed up on Thursday at Dingle Ridge Road's Grand Central Farm, where a portion of ex-Supervisor Paul Greenwood's assets were auctioned off. It was one of several auctions sanctioned by court-appointed receivers to retrieve funds owed to Greenwood's former clients. The North Salem resident and former town official has pleaded guilty to various charges of fraud and money laundering.
Thursday's auction sale concentrated on farm machinery and heavy equipment. Cindy Wolcott, a representative of Roy Teitsworth, Inc., the auctioneer, said 171 potential buyers had registered in person and 125 were in contact over the internet.
"We try to attract the retail customer," she said, "but both wholesalers and end users show up. This equipment is desirable and clean. And it's a nice crowd."
Joseph Giangrande, who has a cut flower farm and nursery in Poughquag, came in search of a John Deere Gator and a hay wagon. He estimated that a new Gator would cost "around $,8000." He hoped to pay about $2,000 at the auction. "A hay wagon costs about $3,000. I'd like to get this one for around $500," he said.
Greg Wunner of Brewster saw things differently. "There are no bargains here," he said. "They're not giving anything away. I'm looking at the light equipment. For another 20% you can buy it brand new."
The most unusual item at the auction was a 1935 Mack fire truck in excellent shape. It sold to the highest bidder for $57,500.
Most of the farm's ponies have already been sold. The farm itself is listed with Vincent & Whittemore in Bedford. The property consists of a 20-stall barn, indoor and outdoor rings, paddocks, a large tract of land and more. The asking price is $24.9 million.
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