Abandoned Foreclosure Proceeding Results In Vacant Eyesore Leaving Town Officials' Hands Tied

In Wilton, Maine, the Sun Journal reports:

• Concerns over an abandoned home at 13 Temple Road brought a dozen neighbors from East Wilton before selectmen Tuesday. They came with a petition signed by 43 people asking the board to take action and demolish the house [...].

• A question of who owns the property that neighbors believed underwent foreclosure in 2003 revealed that Chase Manhattan Bank started foreclosure proceedings but never finished the process, Town Manager Peter Nielsen told the board. There has been no payment of taxes, water or sewer since 2001, Nielsen said. The former owner also believed the house had been foreclosed, he added. Selectmen voted unanimously to act to acquire the property after checking with town attorney Lee Bragg. The town can take no action on the property until it has acquired ownership, Code Enforcement Officer Paul Montague said.

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• The house has been broken into and stripped of plumbing, presenting a danger to adjacent property owners, the petition claims. The shed and attached porch is also collapsing.

For the story, see Wilton neighbors voice concern over abandoned home.

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