Town manager moves to clear title on Margaret Crawford lot as tax‑deed actions loom

Town Manager Tim Stevens told the Colebrook Select Board on Jan. 26 that the town attorney prepared a Title Release and a cover letter to resolve a title‑insurance impediment affecting the Margaret Crawford property, enabling the prospective buyer to obtain insurance and close.

Stevens explained that while the town may tax‑deed properties after three years of unpaid taxes, purchasers cannot obtain title insurance until 10 years have passed unless a release is signed. He said he has been working with the buyer, John Strickland, who "decided to go ahead and purchase it as long as this was in motion." Stevens said he had reached out to Woody Crawford, who then contacted William Crawford; according to the minutes William Crawford told Stevens, "I have no problem signing off a release so long as it is not convoluted, it is cut and dry... Nothing can come back on me whatsoever." Stevens said the release and cover letter were getting ready to be sent and that once received the closing can occur immediately.

Separately, Stevens reported the town has identified three properties it intends to tax‑deed: accounts associated with Scott & Heather Cole, 65 Colby Street, and Martha Laramee. Stevens said Laramee has paid off the 2022 bill so tax‑deeding for 2023 is not yet possible; for the others staff will reach out to notify owners that tax‑deeding is proceeding and that they may pay outstanding balances to avoid loss of title.

The board did not record a separate formal vote to begin tax‑deeding at this meeting, but Stevens said staff will proceed with the town’s standard practice of filing tax‑deed paperwork when eligible. The board asked that Melanie (staff) contact property owners to inform them of the town’s intentions.

The board also recorded other routine business during the meeting, including signed veteran’s tax credits and a CAI contract signature.