Selectmen prepare map and outreach ahead of planned sales of tax‑deeded properties

The Candia Board of Selectmen voted May 12 to prepare a consolidated map of town‑owned, tax‑deeded parcels and to seek recommendations from advisory boards before pursuing sales.

The board directed staff to produce a 24‑by‑48‑inch poster showing parcels proposed for sale, then present that list to the Planning Board and the Conservation Commission for recommendations. Selectmen discussed timing for title research and public review before any auction or sale.

The action follows a review of a list of properties the town holds by tax deed. Selectmen said the town will not automatically receive the full market price if a property sells: the town is entitled to unpaid taxes and interest while any surplus proceeds above that amount typically go to the former owner or heirs. As a result, the board said proceeds from sales should not be expected to equal assessed valuation and called for clear public communication about how proceeds are distributed.

Board members discussed logistics: the town will ask staff and outside vendors to research ownership history and amounts owed (the registry of deeds and tax‑card records will be used), then obtain recommendations from the Planning Board and Conservation Commission before bringing any sale to the board for a final decision. The board also noted some parcels are already recorded as conservation land on the town’s inventory and will require separate review.

Selectmen said they intend to pursue the work this summer and to return to the board with compiled title information and recommendations from the advisory bodies. No individual sale was authorized at the May 12 meeting; the board approved only the preparatory steps and outreach to advisory bodies.

The board emphasized the process will include: mapping parcels, title research (registry of deeds), advisory‑board review, and then public hearings or auctions as required by statute and local procedure.