The Town of Franklin has started the foreclosure process on a house that does not have water and sewer service, yet people have been living there, and the taxes have not been paid in seven years.
During the June 3 Town Council meeting, Town Attorney John Henning Jr. said the house at 83 Hillside Street does not meet the minimum housing requirements and recommended starting the foreclosure process. Henning said although the house is not habitable at this time, he suggested foreclosing on the property rather than demolition because there is a possibility the house could be repaired. The town recently demolished two houses, one on East Main Street and the other at the corner of Wilkie and Palmer streets.
Council member Joe Collins said the owner knows they have not been paying the taxes.
Council member David Culpepper asked what had been done to notify the owner. “We’ve done everything required,” replied Town Planner Justin Setser, noting that they had sent letters that had been returned as well as certified letters.
The council voted to authorize tax collector Sabrina Scruggs to start the in-rem foreclosure, which is a method of foreclosing a tax lien as allowed by N.C. General Statute 105-375.
According to information presented at last week’s meeting, the owner has received multiple notices of violations related to the minimum housing requirements and violations under the nuisance ordinance. Neighbors have attended past meetings asking that the property be cleaned up.
The town held a hearing with the owner on Feb. 2, 2024, and on Feb. 12 the owner was sent a 90-day notice to comply with all the standards, which did not happen.
Setser said on Monday that a condemnation notice was posted at the house on June 4. “The tenant was informed that they couldn’t be living on the site by myself and the police department. Our police department is monitoring the house for anyone living there,” he said.
Setser said there has been no water or sewer service to the house since July 2021. According to Macon County’s online tax reports, the last payment on the property was made April 7, 2017, and that was by the previous owner. The current owner is listed as Callee Bowman, who acquired the property in August 2017. The assessed value of the land and house is $165,750. County tax records show that $5,504.23 is due for county taxes, including interest. According to the town’s tax collector, the owner owes the Town of Franklin $4,010.33 in taxes with more interest to accrue July 1. The assessed value of the land and house is $165,750.