BURRILLVILLE – A tax sale held at the Assembly Theatre on Thursday, June 15 brought out investors who purchased liens on 14 Burrillville properties that had unpaid tax and sewer bills, adding some $52,475 to town coffers.
The sales, held annually, allow the town to recoup funds lost through ongoing delinquencies, and proponents say the public auctions help to keep potentially blighted properties in productive use. Under the right of redemption, owners have one year to pay off the initial bills plus interest and fees, or investors can file to foreclose on the lots, according to state law.
Notice of the pending lien sale was published in advance in the Woonsocket Call as required by law, and additionally posted at Brigido’s IGA, as well as local post offices. Debtors were also notified of their properties’ inclusion by mail. In some cases, owners typically come forward to settle the bills in advance of the sales and get their names removed from the list.
In Burrillville, liens on 14 lots were sold to the highest bidder. When properties that failed to attract an investor and no bids are received, the town itself purchased the liens under the same provisions as governed by state law. In June, the town of Burrillville purchased four such liens.
Critics say process can be too tough on struggling homeowners, who face additional fees and high interest rates for the past due bills. Rhode Island Housing can purchase the liens giving qualified owners additional time to catch up under the Madeline Walker Act, a state law passed in 2006.
Of the 14 debtors, town property records show that one quickly came forward to pay off the debt and redeem full rights to their lot. Bronco Highway LLC reportedly paid $6,418 on June 30 – which included $568 in interest and $160 in fees – to pay off a lien purchased for $5,689 by Providence-based Jordan Realty RIGP on a property at 0 Bronco Highway.
The below is a complete list of liens sold at the auction.
0 Bronco Highway
- Owner: Bronco Highway, LLC
- Originally due: $10,140 in unpaid taxes
- Purchased by: Jordan Realty RIGP for $5,689
249-263 Hill Road
- Owner: John Gaudet
- Originally due: $11,264 in tax & sewer bills
- Purchased by: Cove Marina, LLC for $8,336
360 Centennial St.
- Owner: Robert & Patricia Singleton, RI Housing & Mortgage Finance Corp.
- Originally owed: $1,228 sewer bill
- Purchased by: Robert Woods of Johnston for $1,683
30-32 Spring Lake Road
- Owner: Daniel Tavares
- Originally owed: $2,458 sewer bill
- Purchased by: Reservoir Adventures, LLC for $2,026
505 Douglas Pike
- Owner: Robin White
- Originally owed: $3,412 in taxes
- Purchased by: Thomas Conley of Manville for $4,201
361-363 Chapel St.
- Owner: SmithCo, LLC
- Originally owed: $12,632 sewer & taxes
- Purchased by: Jutonus, LLC for $9,240
15 Laurel Hill Ave.
- Owner: Celia Moore
- Originally owed: $1,228 sewer
- Purchased by: Gosnold Investments, LLC for $1,321
69 Kennedy Lane
- Owner: Alice & Brian Buckless & Post LLC
- Originally owed: $2,701 sewer & taxes
- Purchased by: Robert Quinn of Cranston for $1,864
21-25 East Ave.
- Owner: G A K Holding Group
- Originally owed: $4,884 sewer & taxes
- Purchased by: Patrick Conley of East Providence for $5,116
94 Irving Ave.
- Owner: Elizabeth Charpentier
- Originally owed: $1,228 sewer
- Purchased by: Steven Giarrusso of Cranston for $1,288
181 Steere Farm Road
- Owner: Derrick Woodlock
- Originally owed: $1,228 sewer
- Purchased by: Robert Woods of Johnston for $1,608
40-42 Remington Ave.
- Owner: Michael Giorgi
- Originally owed: $2,458 sewer
- Purchased by: Anniston Leasing, LLC for $2,788
112 South Main St.
- Owner: John Mitchell & Gerard Fahey
- Originally owed: $3,658 sewer & taxes
- Purchased by: L G R Realty, LLC for $3,990
0 Mowry St.
- Owner: Oak Hill Developers, LLC
- Originally owed: $2,592 taxes
- Purchased by: Thomas Conley of Manville for $3,325
Town-purchased liens:
0 Sherman Farm Road
- Owner: Marianne Lafontaine
- Originally owed: $1,328 sewer & taxes
- Cost: $1,931
0 Steere Farm Road
- Owner: Estate of Edward Ducharme, Post LLC & Baseline Realty, LLC
- Originally owed: $2,619 taxes
- Cost: $2,302
0 Steere Farm Road
- Owner: Oak Hill Developers
- Originally owed: $1,634 taxes
- Cost: $2,280
0 South Main St.
- Owner: Juliette Pinto
- Originally owed: $168 taxes
- Cost: $652
