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Selectboard hears tax-lien update; counsel’s title search halts one deeding after next-of-kin surfaced
Summary
Staff reported the tax-lien balance has fallen and 92 owners have paid; members discussed how lower statutory interest rates have reduced the incentive to pay. The board also reviewed a Paradise Road property where town counsel’s title search found next of kin and halted a planned deeding; the town will not change ownership without legal documents and may sign deed waivers on properties it does not wish to accept.
Town staff reported a reduction in outstanding tax-lien balances since the last meeting and said 92 property owners had paid amounts on the lien list. Many delinquencies were small water and sewer fees; staff said payments typically accelerate after formal notice.
Selectboard members noted that the statutory interest rate applied to unpaid balances was reduced (from a prior higher rate to 8 percent), which staff and members said has made the financial incentive to pay late obligations smaller than in past years.
Board members discussed the tax-deeding process. Staff explained that, before deeding, the town conducts title searches; in one case for a Paradise Road parcel, the town attorney’s search identified a next of kin who intervened and paid taxes to redeem the property. Because of that development, the town has accepted payment but has not changed ownership; legal counsel will continue to advise before any deeding or ownership change. The board also described the deed-waiver form the selectboard may sign if it declines to accept a deed at the deeding stage and noted a deeding date (interest day) approaching in late May.
Next steps: staff will continue title searches, consult with town counsel on any deeding decisions, and present deed-waiver paperwork at the deeding meeting if the board decides not to accept properties into town ownership.
