City memo indicates plan to steal 12 homes on Nov. 12, 2009

[Patrick Shields]

According to page 43 of the agenda for tonight's city council meeting, the city will steal 12 properties on November 12, 2009 for not paying protection money in 2006.

Here's the relevant bit:

MEMO TO: Mayor & City Council
THROUGH: John MacLean, City Manager, and Martha Landry, Asst. City Manager/Finance Director
FROM: Mary Alther, Revenue Collector
RE: Tax deeds for unpaid 2006 property taxes
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council authorize the City Manager to sign deed waivers for unpaid property taxes for the following properties:
[see the agenda packet for the names and addresses]
This action would waive the deed process until Nov. 12, 2009 after which, the City would take deed to properties with unpaid taxes for the 2006 tax year or earlier.

BACKGROUND:

State laws related to the collection of property taxes allow for municipalities to place tax liens on properties
for unpaid taxes; such liens can stay in place for two years before taking ownership of these properties with a
tax collector's deed.

In accordance with RSA 80:76, the tax collector is required to execute a deed of the property subject to the
real estate tax lien two years after the execution of the lien for any properties that have unredeemed tax liens.
This means as of May I, 2009 deeds can be taken for any properties that have unpaid tax liens that date back
to the 2006 tax year.

The tax collector must execute the deed unless the City Council directs the collector to waive that process. A
waiver is appropriate in certain circumstances that include:

     • taking deed to the property would subject the City to potential liability that might result from an
         environmental impairment of the property in question; or
     • taking deed to the property would expose the City to undesirable obligations or liability risks
         including obligations under real estate covenants or obligations to tenants; or
     • taking deed to the property would for any other reason be contrary to the public interest.

All City departments were asked for input or knowledge of any possible environmental hazards on the
properties in question. The result of that inquiry is that none are known. Therefore, no waiver can be
recommended for environmental impairments.

Twelve properties have unpaid 2006 property taxes, which makes them eligible for tax deed. Each property
owner (and mortgagee if there is one) has been properly notified in accordance with state law of the payment
status, and the next steps that the City is required to take. The City has gone beyond what is required by state
law for notification of tax deeding. There have been several phone calls, letters, visits to homes and meetings
with the owners to advise them of the situation, and pending outcomes without success.

City staff is recommending that the deed process be waived (delayed) until November 12, 2009 in order to
give all property owners one last opportunity to pay the delinquent taxes.

At the close of business on November 12, 2009 city staff will review the status of these accounts. Any
delinquent taxes from 2006 (or earlier) remaining unpaid will cause the City to immediately start the process
to execute the deed(s). This may also involve an eviction process, depending upon the properties in question
and the circumstances of the owners.

[FTL_Ian]

Ugh.  Can you blog this?

(As an aside, it looks like local statist snitch Clark Anderson aka "Pepper Pete" is begging permission for a cigar tasting event to be held out front of his shop.)

[FTL_Ian]

Sam, any interest in interviewing these folks?  Is it the assessor that will give the info on what properties they are or is it the tax collector?

[FTL_Ian]

Looks like they are voting tonight to extend the deadline.  It's likely council will follow the manager's recommendation, but they could still vote to steal these homes tonight.

Either way, it's doubtful there will be a public hearing.  Sounds like it might be time to bring out the "Stop Stealing" signs again.  What time does the meeting start?

[PaulOtt]

(As an aside, it looks like local statist snitch Clark Anderson aka "Pepper Pete" is begging permission for a cigar tasting event to be held out front of his shop.)

Hmmm. Wonder if support from us on this would warm him up a little bit.

[Coconut]

What time does the meeting start?

7PM.

I try to remember to post the agendas to the "crashing city council meetings" thread. Clearly I didn't remember this week Of course anyone else that checks like Patrick is welcome to update that thread.
Given tommorow is a holiday, I'll try to show up tonight. I can spare the time.

(As an aside, it looks like local statist snitch Clark Anderson aka "Pepper Pete" is begging permission for a cigar tasting event to be held out front of his shop.)

Hmmm. Wonder if support from us on this would warm him up a little bit.

It'll get approved with or without our support. I think.

[FTL_Ian]

(As an aside, it looks like local statist snitch Clark Anderson aka "Pepper Pete" is begging permission for a cigar tasting event to be held out front of his shop.)

Hmmm. Wonder if support from us on this would warm him up a little bit.

It's hard for me to care about people who beg.  I'd much rather support those who just DO.  Plus, Coconut is probably right - he's likely one of the good old boys, and will get his approval.

[Patrick Shields]

The names and addresses are in the agenda packet on subsequent pages.

P.S. Blogg'd.

I'm up for some sign holding!

[FTL_Ian]

Looks like they are also voting to "issue a civil forfeiture" of $25 to over 200 Keeniacs for unlicensed dogs and issue a "warrant for unlicensed dogs".  Does the latter mean that they will steal dogs from people who don't pay the forfeiture?

[FTL_Ian]

Here are the proposed properties to be stolen:

Ann Maric Bergeron 122 Roxbury SI. 017-07-029.0000 single family
Christian Dellogono & Benjamin Hill o Daniels Hill Rd. 917-13-006.0000 land
Sandra Fa lion 280 Elm SI. 007-03-006.0000 single family
Erica (Descoteaux) Kenison 35 Schult St. 911-26-013.2035 manufactured housing
Lucinda Kirk-Linn 50 Terrace SI. 019-05-009.0000 single family
Ronald & Debbie Ann MacKinnon 29 Schult SI. 911-26-013.2029 manufactured housing
Donna M. Morin 36 Sesame St. 171-01-009.0000 single family
Cynthia M. Schnyer 51 Lee St. 129-03-042.0000 single family
Melissa L (Smith) Tremblay 5 Anderson Ave. 911-26-013.4005 manufactured housing
Robert Sherwin 708 Roxbury Rd. 907-20-014.0000 single family
Estate 0 f Geraldyne M. Walsh 119 Greenwood Ave. 146-02-003.0000 single family

[FTL_Ian]

Pg 45 shows how much the city claims they are owed on each property.  Some are over $14,000!  I'd say it's pretty likely some of these guys won't be able to pay up.  Last time it was 5 houses, and they did all come through at the last minute, but the more houses, the more likely one or more will actually not pay and get stolen when the clock runs out.  Looks like this may be the time.

[Coconut]

Looks like they are also voting to "issue a civil forfeiture" of $25 to over 200 Keeniacs for unlicensed dogs and issue a "warrant for unlicensed dogs".  Does the latter mean that they will steal dogs from people who don't pay the forfeiture?

http://forum.freekeene.com/index.php?topic=722.msg11230#msg11230

[AnCapMan]

I love you guys, but can there be more than just sign holding? How about blockading the way to the homes of the victims? How about telling the homeowners to practice scorched earth policies - if they get evicted burn down the structure do not let the aggressors gain more resources through theft. Perhaps get the homeowners together and get their pictures and put them on posters all over town and label them as soon to be homeless due to inability to pay protection rackets.

Signs are ignored easily action and faces of victims show the supporters of these violent people that they are not just an address but flesh and blood. Show these Keene folk what they are voting for. To make families homeless. But please do more than some signs on sticks. When your neighbor is about to be mugged or raped I hope you would do more than make a sign and march in front of them.

Hearts and minds. Show them they are aiding the gun in the room people will join you. Remind them "you voted to make this family homeless".

Just my .02

[Patrick Shields]

I love you guys, but can there be more than just sign holding?

Of course, but we're talking about the city council meeting tonight. Ultimately, I expect many of us will do a lot more, including some of the things you mentioned.

[FTL_Ian]

They are also going to vote to drastically increase leased parking rates in downtown and prevent people from registering a vehicle if there are unpaid fines.