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Council approves tax‑lien transfer for overgrown lot at 7 Loretta Avenue to neighboring owner
Summary
The council voted to assign tax title for a small, long‑unmaintained lot (former camp lot) to a neighboring owner who agreed to clear the parcel; council waived penalties/interest and approved the $14,000 lien assignment as requested.
Coventry — The Town Council approved assignment of tax title/liens to a neighboring property owner for a small, overgrown parcel at 7 Loretta Avenue and waived accrued penalties and interest as part of the transfer.
Assistant Town staff explained the property has been on tax sale lists for years; records show accumulated taxes, interest and penalties. The town had not taken full ownership of the parcel but held a tax lien and the current proposal was to assign that lien to a nearby owner, Philip (Phil) Casey, so he can remove debris, dismantle a deteriorated trailer on the lot and maintain the parcel. Town staff said the base tax liability (exclusive of penalties and interest) was about $14,000 and that figure was the amount requested in the assignment.
Casey described the parcel as heavily overgrown, with a non‑moveable, deteriorated trailer and estimated it would cost an additional $10,000–$15,000 to clean and remediate the site. He said he intended to remediate the lot at his expense and maintain it for the benefit of the neighborhood.
Council members discussed whether the town could instead foreclose on and sell the property for more than the tax lien amount; staff explained the town had not previously purchased the property at tax sale and would need to foreclose to take title before any town sale. Several council members expressed support for clearing and maintaining the lot rather than leaving a blighted parcel in the neighborhood.
Action: The council voted 7‑0 to approve the transfer/assignment of the tax lien to Philip Casey under the terms presented. The motion waived penalties and interest and accepted the lien amount due as shown in the documents. Casey did not receive title through a town purchase; the council’s action authorized assignment of the town’s lien position.
Ending: Councilors asked staff to confirm any remaining procedural steps and closing documents. The council’s action was framed by members as a neighborhood‑stabilization outcome achieved at modest immediate cost to the town.
Attribution: Reporting based on staff summary and remarks from applicant Philip Casey; staff and solicitor provided clarification about taxing and foreclosure procedures.
