WHEELOCK, Three properties with more than a year of unpaid taxes and no payment arrangements are heading toward a tax sale. The Wheelock Selectboard on June 16 unanimously authorized delinquent tax collector Teresa Stimpson to engage an attorney and proceed.
Stimpson told the board she had made multiple attempts to reach the owners without success and that no payments or payment plans had been made. She presented the delinquent tax report and asked for authorization to move forward. Stimpson noted that other delinquent accounts have been coming in with payments or entering plans.
In other business, the board finalized a financing package for a new grader. A state loan of $150,000 was approved at 2% interest over five years, covering a significant portion of the purchase. A separate loan through the Bond Bank at approximately 3.3% is pending and will cover the remaining balance once the exact amount is confirmed. The board signed the promissory note for the state loan and authorized staff to apply for the Bond Bank loan. The board was also informed that the check from the sale of the town's old Galion grader has been received.
Bids for road embankment repairs at South Wheelock and Boulay Roads are due by noon June 25. Pre-bid site meetings were held June 17. The board scheduled a special meeting for June 30 to select the winning bidder or bidders.
Work is active on several fronts at Town Hall. A local plumber is expected to inspect the sump pump and drain. A contractor will assess the garage and town hall building. Ceiling work in the basement is scheduled to begin July 24, which may require the building to close for that day; prep work will start July 23 with a goal of finishing before the next clerk workday. Window contractor Sally Fishburn measured windows and will begin with storm windows, followed by the attic front window.
The board discussed whether to incorporate a burn restriction into a proposed solid waste ordinance. The board reached consensus to include language noting that open burning is prohibited under state law except for certain natural wood and woody debris, and that a fire warden permit is required in some circumstances. The matter was tabled for further review.
Originally reported by North Star Monthly.
Photo: Jeremy Hardin via Pexels. Photo is illustrative and not from the scene.
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