The Town of Southbury held a public tax deed sale on Thursday, May 15 at Town Hall to recover delinquent property taxes, in accordance with state law.
The sale took place at 2:00 p.m. following bidder registration earlier in the afternoon.
Three properties were offered at the auction:
- 277 Peter Road (Map 30, Block 45, Lot H1), formerly owned by Albert Bernier, with over $93,000 in back taxes due from assessments spanning 2013 through 2023.
- Units 10-12 Roosevelt Avenue (Map 13, Block J, Lot 7, 9), in the name of Velzora F. Sherburne, with unpaid taxes totaling $1,894.26 from 2009 through 2023.
- 166 Palmer Road (Map 43, Block 19, Lot P12), owned by John Snedeker, carrying more than $51,000 in tax debt from 2020 through 2023.
The sale drew interest and a crowd of more than 30 people as prospective bidders. All properties were sold “as is” and without guarantees on zoning or environmental conditions. The town emphasized that buyers assume all responsibility related to the condition and future use of the properties.
The first property up for auction, 277 Peter Road, was won by a bid of $99,000.
The property on Roosevelt Avenue (Units 10-12) was won by a bid of $2,500. The Town of Southbury made an initial opening bid of 1,894.26, but then was outbid by two other bidders.
The property at 166 Palmer Road was won by a bid of $322,000.
A tax collector’s deed for each property will be lodged in the Town Clerk’s office, but will remain unrecorded for six months (180 days). During that time, property owners may still redeem their properties by paying the full amount due. If not redeemed, the title will pass to the purchaser “free and clear” of other liens and encumbrances at that time, except certain items such as easements and other taxes.
The town will collect the amount due in delinquent property taxes, with any amount over the amount due going to the original property owner, said First Selectman Jeff Manville.
The Southbury Record 