Winchester officials weigh tax-sale program to collect long-delinquent property taxes

Winchester — Town Manager Paul Harrington proposed the board authorize the tax collector to begin the statutory tax-sale process for real property delinquent at least two years and owing a minimum of $7,000, saying the change would give the town an additional tool to recover long-unpaid property taxes.

Harrington told the Board of Selectmen on March 2 that the town’s current delinquent-taxes ledger shows about $1.9 million in outstanding balances, but that roughly $900,000 of that total reflects second-half payments that just became due Feb. 1. He described a proposed “bucket” criterion — two years delinquent and $7,000 or more owed — that initially yielded about 10 properties and an estimated $131,220 in potential collections for referral to tax-sale counsel.

"It does work," Harrington said of the tax-sale process, recounting one case in which a property owner learned a listing had been prepared and promptly brought a $12,000 payment. "I'll be in this week with a $12,000 check. It does work," he said, quoting the owner as relayed to the board.

Harrington said the town would use an outside attorney (Attorney Adam Cohen was discussed by name) to manage statutory sales: the attorney advertises the sale (CTSale.com, the town website and newspapers), facilitates bidding, and advances the sale without upfront town fees; purchasers pay associated attorney fees. Purchasers must then wait six months and one day for redemption; if the original owner does not redeem, the buyer may gain title, and any surplus above the taxes and costs can be claimed in court by the former owner.

Board members pressed on thresholds, notice and protections. Selectmen asked whether second-half payment oversights would be swept into the sale; Harrington emphasized the proposal’s two-year delinquency requirement was intended to avoid pulling in recently late second payments. Several members asked that staff run alternative threshold lists (for example, $5,000 and $10,000) so the board can compare how many properties would be affected at each level.

The board emphasized safeguarding elderly and disabled residents. Harrington described existing relief avenues — state elderly tax credits and veteran exemptions — and said the town would work to ensure that people who qualify for abatements or credits have had those options applied before any property moves to the attorney’s list. "I'm not going to be the guy that takes a 96‑year‑old widow who's two years behind for $7,000 and sell her home," Harrington said, adding that staff would include information about available programs in notices to property owners.

Selectmen also discussed transparency and neighbor notification; Harrington said the attorney lists sales publicly on his website and that the town would add the listings to the town website, place a newspaper notice, and consider additional mailings to abutters or neighbors per the board’s direction.

Several selectmen said they were sympathetic to collection fairness — noting that most residents pay their taxes on time — but wanted time to draft precise language and carve-outs before authorizing new collection steps. The board asked Harrington to produce sample motion language, a $5,000 threshold list for comparison, and recommended consultation with the tax collector and town attorney before returning to the board for a formal vote.

Next steps: staff will prepare alternative threshold lists and proposed language that includes notice and outreach provisions and will invite the tax collector and the town attorney to a future meeting for further legal detail before the board considers formal authorization.