Town moves to foreclose on long-troubled property

In a recent government meeting, the council addressed several pressing issues, including the authorization of a foreclosure on a long-troubled property located at 7011 Hayden Road. The property, which has been a nuisance for many years, is currently encumbered by five liens totaling approximately $500,000. The owner, James Barbie, passed away in March, and the estate has not initiated any formal proceedings.

During the discussion, it was revealed that the town had previously litigated matters concerning the property and had attempted to reach out to the heirs to negotiate a quit claim deed, which would allow the town to avoid lengthy foreclosure litigation. However, the heirs have indicated they may abandon the property due to the overwhelming liens, potentially allowing the town to proceed with foreclosure.

The council emphasized the need for approval from the code enforcement board to move forward with the foreclosure process, as mandated by state statute. The town attorney highlighted that if the town acquires the property, the existing liens would be extinguished, and the property would likely be demolished due to its uninhabitable condition.

The motion to authorize the foreclosure was unanimously approved by the council, marking a significant step in resolving the longstanding issues associated with the property. The meeting also included a brief orientation presentation for new board members, indicating a focus on governance and community engagement moving forward.