HomeMy WebLinkAboutPolicy-SaleofLand-TaxTitle-020507BOARD OF SELECTMEN POLICY
SALE OF LAND- TAX TITLE
Date Approved by BOS: Signature of Chair:
February 5, 2007 Jeanne K. Krieger
I. Purpose
Periodically, land is taken by the Board of Selectmen for failure to pay taxes. This
property is known as tax title land. The purpose of this policy is to create a fair and
equitable process for selling such land and returning to the tax roles, when requested
to do so by a resident.
II. Application
1. The Board of Selectmen shall approve a list of qualified appraisers
containing a minimum of 6 appraisers. Said list shall be maintained by the
Executive Clerk and updated every five years.
2. The sales process may be initiated by any resident of the Town of
Lexington, or by the Board of Selectmen.
3. All requests to purchase property must be in writing to the Town
Manager’s Office detailing the property sought, and the intent for use of
the property.
4. Town Manager receives written request to purchase property.
5. Town Manager obtains information and history of parcel from Assessor’s
Office and Community Services.
6. Memo sent to all department heads and committee chairmen (appropriate
committees) informing them of the size and location of the property and
the intent that has been expressed for its purchase.
7. The Board of Selectmen vote on whether or not they would be willing to
release property.
8. If yes, the Selectmen will select an appraiser from the list of qualified
appraisers.
9. The intent to sell is advertised in the legal notices in the local paper for
two weeks stating the location and size of the parcel, citizen requesting,
the minimum acceptable bid (the appraisal price) and the date of the
Selectmen’s Meeting by which all interested bidders must submit a notice
of intent to bid. A copy of the legal notice is sent to all abutters.
10. The cost of the appraisal will be added to the sales price.
11. At the next meeting of the Selectmen, if there are no alternate bidders,
Selectmen vote to sell the property to the citizen at the appraised price
plus the cost of the appraisal. If there are alternate bidders, sealed bids
with a minimum of the acceptable bid price should be submitted within 14
days of the meeting. The highest bidder will then pay the bid price, plus
the cost of the appraisal.
III. Background
Periodically, the Manager’s office has received requests to purchase tax title
property. These requests generally are made by abutters. Typically, the lots
are small and not separately buildable. They have value only to the direct
abutters. Occasionally, more than one person has shown interest in particular
tax title properties. By establishing a policy the Selectmen have set guidelines
for the manager to help determine when it is appropriate to sell a parcel.