Town of Rye foreclosing on 36 more properties

By Nathan Mayberg

The Town of Rye is continuing its policy of foreclosing on properties whose owners owe back taxes. Town Attorney Paul Noto announced last week that 36 new properties will be targeted this year by the town. The properties owe taxes for three years or more, he said.

The properties had liens filed against them in July 2008 for approximately $262,000 in taxes. Noto said there is about $2.6 million in total outstanding taxes due to the town in addition to the amount owed on these 36 properties.

Receiver of Taxes Nick Mecca noted that there is more owed on the 36 properties than what is being sought after through the foreclosure process.

The town’s “in-rem proceedings” offer property owners a final opportunity to keep their properties by paying the back taxes plus penalties and interest before the town takes title. Noto said the property owners will also have to pay court filing fees, title search fees and his attorney fee of $400.

Noto said the town will be preparing petitions to begin the foreclosure proceedings. Property owners will have six to eight weeks to not only pay all of the taxes and penalties but will also have to bring all of their taxes up to date. If not, the town will seek a judgment.

“Hopefully, we can avoid that sad situation where a gentleman paid for his home twice,” said Supervisor Joe Carvin. Carvin said non-payment of taxes causes tax rates to rise.

More than two-thirds of the properties are unsold condominium units owned by Town & Country Developers at 411 Westchester Ave.

Scheduled for foreclosure

The following properties are scheduled to be foreclosed on this year by the Town of Rye for unpaid taxes going back at least three years.

Property                                                  Owner                                            Amount Due

411-435 Westchester Ave., PC                Town & Country Developers            $161,341.38
111 Midland Ave., PC                              Cosmos Auto Service Inc.                  $20,442.65
518 Locust Ave., PC                                Gruziola, Rutkowski, Larsen                  $2,052.36
500 N. Main St., PC                                 Rispoli Commercial Properties             $10,758.04
140 Poningo St., PC                                 Ariel and Ruth Acosta                            $7,423.87
1 Landmark Square, PC                           Jerry Rakes                                            $5,224.54
8 S. Main St., PC                                     Pierre Sinis                                           $16,243.47
47 N. Main St., PC                                  Miguel Espinoza                                     $6,383.84
Rock Ridge Drive, Rye Brook                  Gustavo and Janet Passarelli                 $11,246.04
40 Tamarack Road, RB                           Alex Morell                                             $9,772.03
1016 Jefferson Avenue, Mamaroneck       Natale Bellantoni                                         $4,471
739 Halstead Ave., Mamaroneck             Eugene and Marie Carino                        $6,575.58

This is part of the July 30, 2010 online edition of Rye Brook Westmore News.

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