Five Guilford properties have been placed up for a public auction to satisfy delinquent taxes. The properties will be up for bid starting at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 14 at Town Hall.

"We haven't been able to work with owners about payment," Tax Collector Dolly Mezzetti said. "There is the possibility they can lose their property."

To be classified as delinquent, the original land owner, or lien holder, must miss at least three installments of back tax payments. Under General Statute sec. 12-157, the properties will be auctioned in "as is" condition unless the original owners can make up the missed payments.

"The owners have six months after the auction" to pay and reclaim the property, Mezzetti said. If redemption is not made, then the purchaser will take the title "free and clear" after the six-month period.

According to Mezzetti, the property auction is a 12-week process starting from the first time the lien holders are notified that their property is being slated for auction. The lien holders are always notified that their property is being placed for auction, she said.

On the day of the sale, bidders are required to present a $5,000 deposit per piece of land they wish to bid on. Deposits can be made in cash or check made payable to Pullman & Comley, Trustee.

"Anyone can purchase the property," Mezzetti said.

Within five days of the auction, the winning bidder has to pay the balance of the purchase. If he or she fails to do so, then the deposit is forfeited.

The properties that are up for auction are:

386 Boston Street; owned by Sharon B. Bower of 239 Fort Path Road, Madison, approximately 0.46 acres of land.

2785 Boston Post Road; owned by Moose Manor, LLC, of 40 Still Meadow Road, Guilford, 1.93 acres.

88 Chestnut Grove; owned by Chestnut Grove, LLC, P.O. Box 361, Guilford, 1.05 acres.

120 Chestnut Grove, owned by Chestnut Grove, LLC, P.O. Box 361, Guilford, 1.11 acres.

140 Chestnut Grove, owned by Chestnut Grove, LLC, P.O. Box 361, Guilford, 1.03 acres.

The Chestnut Grove plots are listed as open land.

Pictures of the land are posted outside of the Tax Collector's office in Town Hall, 31 Park Street. For more information on the auction, call 203-330-2230 or email ajc@pullcom.com.