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Council moves to refuse tax deeds for properties on payment plans; staff says liens remain and payments continue
Summary
Councilors moved to direct the tax collector to refuse tax deeds for properties with payment plans, a procedural action staff said keeps liens and interest while allowing residents to remain current on payments; the motion was moved and seconded in meeting but no roll‑call vote appears in the transcript.
At the Dec. 17 special meeting portion, a councilor moved to direct the tax collector to refuse tax deeds for properties listed on the tax‑collector's payment‑plan list. City staff explained the motion is taken from RSA language: refusal preserves the collection process under a payment plan so owners stay current and eventual arrearages are paid rather than proceeding immediately to deed the property to the municipality.
City counsel and staff emphasized that refusing tax deeds in this context does not forgive taxes—the lien remains, interest continues to accrue and the city retains recourse if payment plans fail. The motion was seconded and staff briefed council on the legal basis and mechanics; the transcript does not record a final roll‑call vote on the motion.
The discussion framed the action as a way to preserve homeownership while managing collections, and staff said the governing body retains authority to lift the refusal and proceed to tax deed if a payment plan does not succeed.
