According to Community and Economic Development Authority Manager Peter Sanborn,  33 percent of the properties in Wareham's downtown match blighted guidelines put forth by state lawmakers, which could make the town eligible for state funds.

The 150 properties Sandborn referenced were discussed during Tuesday's Selectmen meeting as a part of the Wareham Slums & Blight Inventory Project. The properties range from the Tremont Nail Factory to Besse Park, including Merchants Way and Main Street. The minimum amount of blighted properties needed for assistance is 25.

Sandborn defined the blighted properties as those which appear to be deteriorated or substandard from the outside.

"It's an exterior analysis," Sanborn said. "It's all about curb appeal, or lack there of."

Selectmen voted to submit the findings to the state in hopes of receiving grants to make improvements.

"It's very important to us that we take care of Wareham," Selectman Alan Slavin said. "We want to clean up the river front especially."

Sanborn anticipates that it will take a few months to hear back from the state. In the mean time, a similar survey is taking place in Onset where 27 percent of properties are considered blighted.

"There's a lot of work going into Onset," Sanborn said. "But I expect we'll be submitting an application for them in August."