Greenwich Seeks To Sell Foreclosed Properties

GREENWICH, CT — For the first time in years, the Town of Greenwich is seeking to sell several properties it acquired in recent months through foreclosure proceedings.

The Board of Selectmen last Thursday heard a first read request to advertise and refer the sale of town-owned properties acquired through foreclosure to the Planning and Zoning Commission for municipal improvement status.

According to background materials prepared for the board, the town obtained title over the past year to the following properties through judgments in tax lien foreclosure cases:

• 49 Hillcrest Park Road
• Old Farm Lane (two parcels)
• Greenwich Cove Drive (two parcels)
• Mortimer Drive
• 31 Heusted Drive
• 0 Eugene Street

"This is something the town has not done in many, many years," Town Attorney Barbara Schellenberg told the selectmen. Schellenberg was filling in for Owen Weaver, a partner with the law firm Zabel Schellenberg.

Parcels acquired through tax lien foreclosures are not sold immediately but move through a multi-step public process.

Schellenberg noted the town found an opinion written by former Town Attorney John Wetmore in the late 1990s that outlined the process.

Officials first confirm legal ownership through a title search, after which the Board of Selectmen holds a first read and then a second read on whether to pursue a sale and whether to refer the properties for municipal improvement review.

If approved, the parcels are sent to the Planning and Zoning Commission for evaluation, followed by appraisals and the setting of minimum sale prices.

The town then publishes a legal notice, notifies interested parties, and posts signage at the properties indicating town ownership.

Bids are opened and reviewed by the purchasing agent and forwarded to the selectmen with a recommendation, and any proposed sale must ultimately receive approval from the Board of Estimate and Taxation before it can proceed.

Schellenberg noted that Town Administrator Kate Buch will speak with other municipalities that are more familiar with selling such properties, such as Stamford.

"We're going to try and get more information so we don't have to reinvent the wheel, so to speak," Schellenberg said, noting the town must follow Charter requirements "to get this done."

Schellenberg said there is "no urgency" on the matter. The selectmen are expected to revisit the item at future meetings.