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Town discusses tax‑acquired property procedures and county mapping issues
Summary
Town officials reviewed steps for handling a vacant, tax‑acquired property (90‑day notice, listing, open bid) and agreed to consult Cumberland County about tax maps and possible vendor options to update the town's mapping overlays.
Participants reviewed the procedural steps for dealing with a vacant, tax‑acquired property and the next administrative steps. A speaker said the town must notify the prior owner with a 90‑day notice; if the prior owner cannot be found the state handles disposition. If the town lists the property and receives proceeds above back taxes and expenses, excess funds are returned to the prior owner, the speaker said.
Attendees noted the town must consider insurance and risk‑management paperwork before disposition and that the town could buy the property at fair market value or offer it through the town's open bid process if a real estate agent will not list it. The group agreed the property should not be left vacant because it may be occupied illegally and become a public‑safety problem.
Separately, members discussed problems with the town's current overlay maps and their mismatch with Cumberland County tax maps. A participant said the town paid for a “fancy overlay” that does not align with parcels and recommended meeting Cumberland County staff to learn how tax maps are updated and whether vendors can provide data connections to the town's vision system. The group planned to consult the county and examine vendor proposals.
No formal vote or binding decision on property disposition or vendor selection was recorded at the meeting; participants agreed to continue follow‑up, begin an evaluation process of parcels and speak with Cumberland County staff.
