Treasurer-Collector Paul Nowicki said the properties auctioned had $175,000 in back taxes owed, so the town came out ahead by $47,000.
Palmer - Republican Photo by Mark M.Murray - Paul T. Zekos, auctioneer from Zekos Group Auctioneers of Shrewsbury, goes over details for Thursday's public auction of properties being held at the Palmer Town Building.PALMER – An auction of seven town-owned properties netted approximately $222,000 in revenue for the town Thursday.
“What we made today was more than we had yesterday,” Acting Town Manager Patricia A. Kennedy said after the auction.
Held in the meeting room, more than 50 people crowded inside for a chance to bid on the properties, or simply to observe.
One property, at 112 State St. in Bondsville, was withdrawn because the approximately $60,000 in back taxes was paid before the auction.
Treasurer-Collector Paul Nowicki said the properties auctioned had $175,000 in back taxes owed, so the town came out ahead by $47,000. The winning bidders did not have to pay any back taxes because all taxes and municipal liens were forgiven through the foreclosure process, Paul T. Zekos, president of The Zekos Group in Shrewsbury, explained to the crowd.
Zekos, who ran the auction, said each property had an 8 percent buyer’s premium attached to it, as well as either a $2,500 or $5,000 special assessment, meaning a property sold at $100,000 would cost $113,000 in the end. No properties sold for that much, however. There also were no set minimum bids.
The property that fetched the highest bid was 458 Springfield St., a ranch-style home in Three Rivers at $82,500.
The former Al Jr.’s Cycle Shop at 3008 Center St. in Bondsville was auctioned for $50,000 to Robert J. Flagg, who said he plans to move his business, East National Water Co. there in four to five months. He said he runs it out of his home now. Flagg said he specifically came to the auction for the property and called $50,000 a fair price for it.
“It’s a perfect spot,” said Flagg, who is the contractor for the Bondsville and Thorndike water departments.
A home at 2012 Cross St. in Three Rivers was auctioned for $35,000 to Scott M. Pascale of Monson, who said he plans to resell it.
“Hopefully it turns out to be a good venture,” Pascale said.
That home is currently occupied, but the town’s tax attorney, Peter A. Brown, said eviction proceedings are underway.
A bungalow-style home at 41 Bourne St. in Three Rivers that has been condemned by the Board of Health and is infested with rodents sold for $7,500; the new owner, from Wilbraham, declined comment. Eleven acres at 593 Old Warren Road was sold for $30,000 to Dino D. Dacosta of Ludlow. Dacosta, who was bidding against John W. Lizak, a major landowner in town, said he has no immediate plans for the property, which was once eyed for a subdivision.
A mobile home at 1088 South Main St. was sold for $10,000 to Dean T. Kibbe of Springfield, who said he plans to fix it up and rent it out.
Another mobile home, at 253C Ware St., will be razed by its new owner, Alan L. Racine, who bought it for $7,000. Racine, who lives in front of the property, said he will soon “have a nice view out my back window.”
Zekos said town officials wanted to ensure the auction process was open and public. He said they wanted to return the dormant properties to the tax rolls and “hopefully make them once again a vibrant part of the community.”
Zekos called the number of registered bidders “extraordinary.”
“The competition was fierce,” he said.
He mixed in some humor as he encouraged the crowd to bid.
“What are you worried about? You have a $200 pair of sunglasses on, for God’s sake,” Zekos said to one man.
“Don’t let him push you around like that,” he said to another.