Tax installment plans keep owners in homes

CANTON — Allowing St. Lawrence County property owners to pay taxes in installments is saving many from foreclosure in a tough economy, according to the county treasurer.

"For people who hit hard economic times to have to pay their taxes in one big chunk can be unmanageable," said Robert O. McNeil. "Being able to do it in three or four installments makes it a lot easier. The number of people paying in installments continues to rise. It's now almost two-thirds of property owners."

The county next month will auction properties on which it has foreclosed for nonpayment of taxes. There were 174 parcels listed for auction Wednesday afternoon, but Mr. McNeil said he expects that number to fall to about 100 by the Oct. 2 auction. Property owners have until the day before the auction to pay the taxes owed and remove it from the sale.

Mr. McNeil said the number of foreclosed properties auctioned has remained steady for the last few years, mainly because more people behind on their taxes are forging contracts with the treasurer's office, setting a payment schedule.

"My staff spends about three months every year getting contracts with people who have fallen in arrears," he said. "We have well over 300 of those contracts this year. With unemployment and the loss of a number of jobs, the number has risen dramatically. It used to be 150 or so. The nice thing about it is almost all of those people honor those contracts."

The auction will be held at Ogdensburg's Lockwood Arena, West River Street. Bidder registration is at 9 a.m., and the auction begins at 10 a.m.

A list of properties to be sold is available on the county's website.

ON THE NET

St. Lawrence County: www.stlawco.org/departments/realproperty/auctionbook