Ashby Board of Selectmen
Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2006
Compiled By Caitlyn Kelleher Journal Staff Reporter

Top News:

The selectmen voted to prepare for eviction proceedings on the resident of a Main Street house after he failed to pay taxes for six years.

The property at 791 Main St. is nearing the final stage of foreclose and the town is about to take ownership of it. The town won't begin the official eviction proceedings until a decision is formally issued by the Middlesex County Land Court, Treasurer Kate Stacy said.

"I hate to take somebody's house, but you can't not pay taxes for six years," Selectman Geoffrey Woollacott said.

The owner, Philip Bertoni, owes the town approximately $35,000 in back taxes, interest and legal expenses, Stacy said.

Stacy said Bertoni should be well aware of the proceedings because he has been officially notified of two court dates - both of which he failed to attend.

By state law, the owners of a foreclosed property have one year to appeal the land court's decision.

"I wanted to make sure (the selectmen) were aware that as soon as it forecloses we own it," Stacy said after the meeting.

The town will have to insure the property as well as conduct safety inspections as soon as it comes under their control.

Before the eviction process is started Woollacott and Selectman Gerald Houle said they would approach Bertoni to try to talk with him.

The selectmen decided not to sell the house immediately because the owner has one year to appeal the decision. The board voted to rent the house but only for a limited time and not to the current owner.

"We don't want to leave the place empty," Woollacott said. "And, I'm not expecting they will be eager to deliver a check to us on the first of every month."

Selectman Peter McMurray said he doesn't want to get into the rental business. He said there is past practice to rent a house for a year, with the tenants providing maintenance and repairs for a lower rent.

In other news:

• Selectmen signed a new contract with Comcast Cable Corporation. McMurray and Houle voted in favor while Woollacott voted against it.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2006 at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall