Foreclosure notices going out to six property owners

Terry Karkos/Sun Journal

Residents at Tuesday night's Roxbury Board of Selectmen meeting learned that town officials will soon replace the worn planks on this bridge over the outlet of Roxbury Pond.

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- Terry Karkos/Sun Journal

ROXBURY — Owners of six Roxbury properties will soon receive foreclosure notices from the town, but officials declined to identify the properties or owners at Tuesday night's Board of Selectmen meeting.

Tax collector and treasurer Renee Hodsdon said after the meeting that she purposely didn't identify the properties during the meeting because she hasn't yet notified the owners that the town will close on their properties on Jan. 16 due to failure to pay 2007 taxes.

During the meeting, she said the total back taxes owed by all owners is $4,913, with the largest being $2,000.

When asked if any of the six had paid their 2008 and 2009 taxes, a selectman said that it is safe to assume they haven't if they haven't paid the 2007 taxes.

"We're not going to end up with any junkyards are we?" Selectman Deborah DeRoche asked.

"Possibly," Hodsdon said.

A resident then asked if the town would allow residents to bid on the properties, provided the owners don't come up with the cash or a plan to cover owed taxes before Jan. 16. Board Chairman John Sutton said the town has historical backing from long ago to do so.

"When the town becomes the owner, the properties can be put out to bid," he said.

Hodsdon also answered another question on how residents interested in bidding on the properties can learn what and where they are.

She said they could simply go to the town office to look at the books on or after Thursday, Dec. 3, for the information.

In other business, Sutton said the Roxbury All-Terrain Vehicle Riders Club had 15 people at their joint training with Med-Care Ambulance on their new automated external defibrillator and CPR course. Sutton said the club would hold another such training if there are enough people interested.

He additionally thanked both the club and the Fire Department for purchasing a 32-inch television/DVD player for the training.

Sutton also said the club has seven new helmets for people to borrow for the ATV handicap run.

"Anyone under the age of 18 must wear a helmet while on an ATV," Sutton said.

Selectmen will also soon install new planking on the Meadow Brook Bridge at Roxbury Pond. But they aren't sure if a footbridge should be added to it per request of a resident trying to ensure better safety for pedestrians accessing the beach there.

Sutton said he would look into it.

At the board's next meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, Oxford County Sheriff Wayne Gallant will attend as requested by the board to share research into Maine laws about junkyards.

Selectmen have been trying for months to force property owners with yards strewn with junk cars to get a required permit to have a junkyard legally.

tkarkos@sunjournal.com