Town recovers taxes through recent tax sale; two properties sold at auction

The Selectboard reviewed results of a recent tax sale and related property transfers. Town staff reported there were five parcels with unpaid taxes initially; by sale time that number had fallen to three. The Simmons and Runyon parcel on Windham Springs Road sold for $25,000 and the Webb parcel on Windham Hill Road sold for $17,000; the Clay property received no bids and was purchased by the town.

The total sale amount reported was $49,000, of which the town recovered $21,000; $28,000 is being held in escrow. A Gray property sold after the tax sale and its closing is scheduled for mid-September; at closing the delinquent taxes on that parcel will be paid and the town will not retain ownership. The Selectboard noted that winning bid amounts do not become town revenue beyond taxes, interest and associated costs; surplus proceeds are retained in escrow per the town's handling of tax-sale proceeds.