NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Looking for land? The city will auction off nearly 50 properties on Wednesday night, June 8, that were mostly taken by tax title over years.
The half-acre to 2 acre vacant lots (the buildings were condemned and demolished, sometimes years ago) will be sold with clear titles starting with bids at $500, or $300 for landlocked properties.
Collar City Auctions and Realty Management Inc. of Albany, N.Y., is handling the auction, which will take place at City Hall beginning at 7 p.m. Registration begins at 5:30.
The assessed values range from $100 to $46,000 with a number of lots adjoining each other. Last week, Mayor Richard Alcombright said he expected abuttors to buy most of the smaller lots to increase their yard sizes.
Winning bidders will have to pay a 10 percent auctioneer's fee and any taxes and title fees. Sales of $1,000 or less will have to be paid in full that night; all others must be paid by June 30.
The mayor has said he doesn't expect to make a lot off the sale but it will put the land back on tax rolls and relieve the city from having to maintain it. Any lots that do not sell will be put back up for auction again in the next round.
Properties that have been withdrawn from the auction because of legal or title issues are tracts 2, 10, 14, 15, 27, 44, 45, 47 and 62.
The auction is expected to be well attended based on the large number of people who came to an informational meeting on May 31.
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:: Preliminary Election: Deadline to register is Wednesday, Sept. 7. (Office open from 8 to 8.)
:: General Election: Deadline to register is Tuesday, Oct. 18
Registration can be completed at the city clerk's office at City Hall.
Absentee ballots are now available at the city clerk's office for the Sept. 27 preliminary city election. Voters may come in between the hours of 8 and 4:30 weekdays. Written reguests for mailed ballots can be sent to City Clerk's Office, 10 Main St., North Adams, MA 01247. Deadline for absentee ballots is Monday, Sept. 26, at noon.
The preliminary election will be held Tuesday, Sept. 27, to narrow the field of three mayoral candidates to two. The general election to select nine city councilors and a mayor will be held Tuesday, Nov. 8.