Press-Republican

Local News

July 30, 2010

City and county rake in cash in property auction

PLATTSBURGH — A recent auction of delinquent-tax properties netted big paydays for the City of Plattsburgh and Clinton County.

A total of 58 properties — 51 county and seven city —were sold last week at a public auction attended by more than 100 bidders.

The county properties represented $241,212 in back taxes and the city properties $137,182 in delinquent taxes.

The properties were seized after the owners went three years without paying their taxes.

All parcels were sold in just under two hours by auctioneer Haroff Auction and Realty Inc.

The county took in $683,600 in sales, for a profit of $442,388.

"We did really well this year, and that's great for the county," County Treasurer Joseph Giroux said.

"We usually take in $225,000 to $250,000."

Most of the county parcels sold were vacant lots or empty fields, Giroux said, but some were actual homes.

In the city, the seven properties sold for $271,000 total, which was $133,817 more than what was owed in taxes.

One of the properties sold was 1 South Acres Drive, which was in the news earlier this year when the city stepped in to remove numerous dead animals.

The city paid $14,500 to clean that property up, which was covered by the tax-sale proceeds. The house sold for $41,000.

Mayor Donald Kasprzak said that while the city does not like to take people's property, the auction proceeds will be a benefit to the city's bottom line.

"In these difficult times, the city has a responsibility to pursue not only cost-saving measures, but revenue-generating opportunities as well.

"We followed the process, and it is the responsible thing to do for all taxpayers."

E-mail Joe LoTemplio at: jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local News
  • Governor visits North Country to promote budget package

    Delights huge crowd at Plattsburgh State in promising to continue reform in Albany. INCLUDES VIDEO

    Updated Feb 3, 2012 5:51 pm 1 Video
  • Boundaries may remain as is

    Franklin County has started work on redistricting, but legislators say the population probably didn't change enough to warrant a new plan.

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 2:16 pm
  • Marble River Wind Farm work continues

    The 72-tower project in the towns of Ellenburg and Clinton is expected to be operational in October.

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 9:24 am
  • New technology helps history, tourism, arts

    Adirondack Architectural Heritage in Keeseville hosted a presentation on using Facebook as part of marketing strategies.

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 8:29 am
  • Body likely missing Fort Covington man

    Dustin Trimm of Winthrop charged with murder.

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 2:28 am
  • Pipeline work on hold

    A natural-gas boom in Pennsylvania increased demand for specialized workers and has doubled the expected construction costs for the 48-mile St. Lawrence Gas line through Franklin County.

    Updated Feb 3, 2012 6:12 am 1 Link
  • Many agencies working together on waterway remediation

    In Keene Valley on Thursday, officials and citizens visited a cross-weir on John's Brook designed to protect both the environment and the bridge there from future flood damage.

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 2:28 am 2 Photos
  • Robert Russell to the rescue

    The 6-year-old Peru boy was recognized for thinking quickly to call 911 when his mother had a seizure.

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 2:28 am 1 Photo
  • Powerful savings— for now

    National Grid is ending collection of one fee and beginning collection of a smaller one, leaving residential and business customers with lower bills in 2012.

    Updated Feb 3, 2012 5:28 am
  • Appeal mostly denied for Tupper Lake man

    Travis K. Borden was convicted in 2010 of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old.

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 2:28 am
  • Sharing dough

    Students in Ticonderoga learned to make bread from scratch from King Arthur Flour's free Life Skills Baking Program.

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 2:28 am 1 Photo
  • City approves surcharge for dam repairs

    Funds will go toward paying off long-term bond for infrastructure improvements.

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 2:28 am
  • Car chase nets arrest

    Lance D. Lamora allegedly fled police in the City of Plattsburgh on Monday night; he faces numerous misdemeanor charges, including driving while intoxicated.

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 2:28 am
  • Of Interest: Feb. 3, 2012

    DWI crackdown runs today through Sunday; Venue changes for Crown Point meeting; Dannemora Village to work on budget; Saranac School Board to meet Feb. 7.

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 2:28 am
  • Westport Branch of Latter-day Saints closes

    Lack of members cited for closure; Westport members merge with Middlebury, Vt., ward.

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 2:26 am 2 Photos
  • February 2, 2012
  • Pipeline on hold

    A natural-gas boom in Pennsylvania increased demand for specialized workers and has doubled the expected construction costs for the 48-mile St. Lawrence Gas line through Franklin County.

    Posted Feb 2, 2012 2:33 pm
  • Strand Theatre fundraising on home stretch

    It has about $800,000 left to raise for the $4 million project.

    Posted Feb 2, 2012 10:40 am 5 Photos
  • Appeal mostly denied for Tupper Lake man

    Travis K. Borden was convicted in 2010 of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old.

    Updated Feb 2, 2012 3:13 pm

Recent Article Comments
Albany Round-up

Photo of the Day
Strange News
Videos: Editor Picks
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East 2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3% Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths 'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy? Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries