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Saturday,ÊA ugustÊ20 ,Ê2016
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www.SunCommunityNews.com
In CROWN POINT | pg. 16-17
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Here comes the General
In OPINION | pg. 6
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In SCHROON | pg. 20
Defense bill Stars N’ Stripes should be signed donation
and more to fort re-enactment event
Indigent Defense bill of Gov’s desk
VFW gives new flag to senior club
It’s final: Port Henry to be dissolved
Village votes 208-188 to approve dissolution plan By Lohr McKinstry
lohr@suncommunitynews.com
PORT HENRY Ñ Voters in the Village of Port Henry turned out Tuesday to say they like the plan for dissolution of their municipality. The referendum tally was 208 to 188 to approve the plan, an action which continues the dissolution of Port Henry. Residents voted last year to dissolve the village and let the Town of Moriah take over its functions. This was a vote on the plan that
will handle that process.
Groups both for and against the plan, and the dissolution, had battled in the weeks prior to the referendum, with Ò Vote NoÓ and Ò Vote YesÓ signs appearing by the dozen around the village. A total of 360 people voted, with 38 absentee ballots cast, and included in the total. The village will now work with the town to ensure a smooth transition process, Port Henry village Deputy Mayor Matthew Brassard said after the vote. Ò The village and Laberge Group (consultants) will now work closely with the town to get everything transferred,Ó he said. >> See DISSOLUTION | pg. 8
Trekkers, SciFi come together
CountyÊ votesÊ toÊ useÊ outsideÊ vendorÊ toÊ expediteÊ taxÊ auctionÊ process Hiring an outside vendor to conduct title searches will put tax auctions back on regular schedule, says finance committee By Pete DeMola
pete@suncommunitynews.com
Trekonderoga organizer James Cawley (right) talks with a crew member outside Retro Studios in Ticonderoga just before the three-day convention began. The Bluesmobile from the movie “The Blues Brothers” is behind them. See more on page 2. Photo by Lohr McKinstry
ELIZABETHTOWN — Essex County lawmakers voted Monday to explore using an outside agency to conduct title searches for tax-delinquent properties, the first step necessary to launch the formal foreclosure process. The decision to authorize an RFP, which passed the Finance Committee 8-1, stems from longstanding lawmaker frustration over the lack of regular tax sales designed to place the properties back onto the tax rolls. That infrequency leads to
continued deterioration of abandoned properties and lost revenue, lawmakers argue. The county also has to meet re-levies for towns, schools, villages and special districts. At present, the Essex County Clerk’s Office conducts the searches in-house, a labor-intensive process that searches delinquent properties in chronological order based on year. Once that process is completed, the county attorney and treasurer send letters to delinquent property owners. Peeling those tasks away and giving them to an outside agency will not lead to a loss of revenue in that department, said Dan Palmer, the county manager. “The tax search responsibilities are not going to end — they’re just going to change focus,” said Palmer. While the outside agency is conducting title searches
for 2013 properties, the clerk’s office can shift their attention to 2016 properties, Palmer said. “We’re probably looking in the next six months given the number of properties you’re looking at,” Palmer said of a possible expedited process. The $150 search fee will still be recoverable if the property sells at auction, Palmer said. Bringing in outside help, said lawmakers, will also send a strong message that the county is serious about holding tax delinquents accountable, and that they have improved their internal tracking process. “We need to change the expectations of property owners, the impact of not being taxed,” said Shaun Gillilland (R-Willsboro). Ron Moore (R-North Hudson) was the lone dissenting vote, arguing that while he wasn’t opposed to >> See COUNTY | pg. 5