RI TAX COLLECTOR’S MEETING
TUESDAY, MAY 25, 2010
Meeting
of RITCA was held at Chelo’s of Warwick, 2225 Post Road, Warwick R.I. Breakfast was served and then John Ward,President
opened the meeting at 9:35 am.
Secretary report- Jane Steere passed out
minutes of 9/23/09 (last regular meeting). A motion was made to accept the
report as printed, seconded and so voted.
Treasurer report- No treasurer report was
given.
There
were no committee reports and no unfinished business to discuss.
PROGRAM-
John
Ward introduced those in attendance from Rhode Island Housing who were Leslie
McKnight- Loan Servicing Director, Amy Rainone- Policy Director, Mike Milito-
Legal Counsel and Jessica Buhler-Public Affairs Liaison. JoAnn Noonan-Tax Lien Specialist was unable
to attend.
Also
in attendance were two representatives from the Department of Elderly
Affairs: Corinne Calise Russo-Director,
and Melody Rodrigues- Sr. Housing Specialist.
R I
Housing Policy Director, Amy Rainone spoke first of the legislation changes currently
being considered: having the taxes current in order to take others properties
at a tax sale; any intervening taxes paid to the municipality plus interest
thereon at the rate of one percent per month and costs paid by him/her; moving
the petition to foreclose date from five (5) years to two (2) years from the
sale of the property or title for taxes; and the type of file that must be sent
to R.I. Housing.
Amy
then introduced Leslie McKnight, Loan Servicing Director at R I Housing. She explained the handout stating that the
first page explains the process that RI Housing follows after they receive the
tax sale list from the Municipality/Taxing Authority.
The
second page shows standings by Town regarding number of loans, those paid in
full, current principal and original amount paid at the sale. She said that 15,411 letters of outreach have
been mailed since the law was instituted.
Ninety
day notices are set aside unless they are contacted by the homeowner. When the forty five day notice is received
they then sort/select who would be eligible for assistance and send a letter to
the homeowner. Those they cannot help
due to unemployment, getting heating assistance, food stamps, etc and are
already in financial distress, they put in touch with an agency in their
area. They can help only the owner
occupied properties which are not in the foreclosure process. They send a ten day notice to the Tax
Collector who in turn sends them the amounts that will be due at the Tax Sale,
they remit checks for the properties they want to acquire and then wait to
receive the tax sale deeds.
Some
taxpayers have not contacted them for properties they acquired in 2007. They do have a person that goes out and tries
to get in touch with the homeowner whose house has gone to tax sale. They will pay any intervening taxes unless
they property has been foreclosed upon or the owner has left.
Rhode
Island Housing is a self-sustaining organization and receives no state money.
A
recommendation was made that R I Housing should come in after the sale and help
people redeem their properties before the year expires. After some discussion
it was suggested that both RI Housing and a group from RITCA need to meet with
the Senate Advisory Committee on this legislation. We also need to have input with the League of
Cities and Towns. Anyone interested
please email John Ward at jward@lincolnri.org.
John
thanked R I Housing and Department of Elderly Affairs. Motion made to adjourn,
seconded-adjourned at 10:52 a.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Jane
A. Steere, Secretary