Two more parcels go at tax auction

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BEACON FALLS — The town has taken two more properties off the delinquent taxes list.

The town held a tax auction Feb. 12 for the properties at 141 Munson Road and 17 Nancy Ave.

Tax Collector Maryann Holloway said the property at 141 Munson Road sold for $22,491, which was the full amount of the taxes owed.

The property, which is just under one acre, was owned by the Arthur Weyer Trust of Munson Road. The property was purchased by Arthur Davies Jr.

The second property at 17 Nancy Ave. was taken by the town, Holloway said.

The property was owned by Daniel and Corrine McCurrey. They owed back taxes in excess of $16,000 on it, Holloway said.

Since the town took ownership of the property on Nancy Avenue, it will eat the loss of the taxes owed.

First Selectman Christopher Bielik said the town wanted that property in order to expand Riverbend Park. The park is located adjacent to the property.

“Before we took this piece of property to the tax auction we approached the owners to see if they were willing to do a tax credit in lieu of payment deed swap. This is where the town would forgive tax debt and use the property as their payment,” Bielik said.

Bielik said no deal could be reached with the property owners before the property went to the tax auction.

Bielik said from his perspective the town isn’t losing money by taking the property because it was money it didn’t have to begin with and it did not expect to collect.

Bielik said there are approximately five pieces of property that run along the bend of the Naugatuck River on Nancy Avenue. The town owned three of them prior to acquiring 17 Nancy Ave.

“This parcel will put the four parcels we own in a continuous piece,” Bielik said. “This piece lines up the row and gives us a continuous presence.”

Holloway said she has collected over $100,000 in delinquent taxes through the tax sales of six properties since she took office. The town plans to bring two more parcels — lots 27 and 13 on Bear Hill Road and 61 Lancaster Drive — to auction on April 2.

Bielik said the town is careful when it chooses what properties to put for a tax auction.

“Our position in town is we’re not looking to displace anybody from a residence. None of the actions we’ve taken so far have been of that nature. They’ve all been abandoned properties. It’s not causing any personal hardships for residents,” Bielik said.

Bielik said selling the properties not only recovers the money the town is owed, but also brings new activity to the properties.

“It gives us the chance to revitalize properties that have laid dormant for a number of years. It’s a great benefit to the people who acquire the property and the town. It’s a win-win across the board,” Bielik said.