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Committee removes two vacant‑building fees totaling $16,400 from 2025 tax roll
Summary
The committee voted unanimously to remove a $10,200 vacant‑building fee for 55 Fair Street and a $6,200 fee for 62–64 First Avenue after staff confirmed payment or foreclosure timing made the assessments erroneous.
The Finance Committee on April 12 voted unanimously to remove two vacant‑building fees that staff said were placed on the 2025 general tax bill in error.
Matt from the Building Department explained the first property at 55 Fair Street had a vacancy fee that was paid but the check arrived after the levy was produced; staff recommended removing the $10,200 assessment because the city received the payment in October when the property sold. The second property, 62–64 First Avenue, had fees paid by a foreclosing bank and was sold; staff said a new vacancy fee was assessed against the prior owner about a week after the closing and that assessment should be removed. Matt asked the committee for action to clear the levy entries.
Committee reports were read asking authorization to remove $10,200 from the 2025 tax bill for 55 Fair Street and $6,200 for 62–64 First Avenue. Motions to approve were moved and seconded and the committee voted aye on both items; both motions passed unanimously.
The committee described these as isolated, administrative corrections; staff cautioned the committee that more similar requests may arrive as the tax year continues and that the department follows title and foreclosure timelines when assessing vacancy fees.
No further committee action was taken beyond authorizing removal of the levy entries and directing staff to process the corrections.
