AUBURN — The City Council voted unanimously Monday night to waive the foreclosure of the former St. Louis Church.
“It’s in the best interest of the city to waive the foreclosure and work with the church,” Mayor Jonathan LaBonte said.
If the city took possession of the property, it would be responsible for all utilities, insurance and maintenance issues.
The former church at 32 Dunn St. owes the city $34,508 for three years of property taxes, according to Deputy Assessor Joseph St. Peter.
The property’s 2015 taxes mature in December, and if councilors did not waive the foreclosure the city would automatically take possession of it.
St. Peter clarified that waiving the foreclosure doesn’t make the taxes go away.
Another property tax lien will mature in December 2018, if the taxes from 2016 are not paid. The city would be able to vote on the issue again if that happens.
Councilor Andrew Titus said he was in favor of waiving the foreclosure, but thought it would be good for the city to get regular progress reports from the church.
Councilor Grady Burns agreed, and said if in a year the owners still can’t pay taxes it would be time to look at what to do.
In other business, the council agreed to a five-year lease between Michael Violette and the Norway Savings Bank Arena. Violette, the owner of Upper Level Pizza Grill, will operate the concessions and restaurant on the second floor of the arena.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
