Lien Against Kennedy's Sold

An unnamed purchaser now owns a lien against the vacant, fire-ravaged Kennedy's bar. 

The purchaser bought the lien in a tax sale in on Tuesday, Dec. 20, according to township tax collector Al Stanley.

As a result, all of Kennedy’s back taxes, which amounted to $7,547.10, have been paid. The adjacent vacant lot, which carries a lien of $124.87, went unclaimed, and therefore became the responsibility of the township, Stanley said.

Final totals for Tuesday’s tax lien sale, in which over 1,200 properties were listed for bid, were unavailable Tuesday evening.

Kennedy’s, at the White Horse Pike and Pomona Road, has been vacant since an after hours fire in March left the building ” according to Mayor Don Purdy, who said last week he was worried the building may collapse.

The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office is conducting an ongoing investigation into the cause of the fire.

Last week, Township Manager Steve Bonanni stated he sent a notice of violation had been sent to the owners, and that a hearing in Galloway Municipal Court was set for Friday, Dec. 23.

It is now the responsibility of the lien holder to pay the taxes on the property. That person has the option to pay the taxes each time they are due. After two years, they may purchase the property, but at any time before then, the owner can pay off the lien and claim Kennedy’s. The lien holder would be refunded what he paid, with interest.