I have filed with the Methuen City Council an ordinance that will help us to properly track, and take action on where necessary, foreclosed properties in Methuen. This legislation is modeled after Boston City Councilor Rob Consalvo’s Boston ordinance, and will be up for discussion Monday evening. The legislation will require banks and mortgage companies to register foreclosed properties with the city, establish a local property management contact for the city, and maintain these properties properly. With the escalation in foreclosures we are coordinating our efforts via our building safety task force, comprised of Inspectional, Health, Police and Fire representatives. Our goal is to take coordinated actions on foreclosed or abandoned properties, and insure jurisdictional disputes do not impede our ability to protect the public safety. I have attached the ordinance below.
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Bill Manzi.com 
As a local housing professional I applaud the creation of this Ordiance for the City of Methuen by Mayor Manzi. Anything and everything must be done to prevent the decay of foreclosed properties and the loss of valuable housing inventory. I hope the City Council appreciates the value of this piece of legislation and approves same with an EPA as there is no time to lose on this issue judging from the daily listing of foreclosures in the local paper.
Chris Metzemaekers
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This is a great idea. If the mortgage companies are going to own a significant part of the local area’s real estate, then they should be good neighbors. Unfortunately, too many foreclosed properties sit around with boarded-up windows, never-cut grass, and a lonely “For Sale” sign sitting in the yard.
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Just curious, do the banks continue to pay the property taxes on these properties, since they are essentially the “owners” once they foreclose?
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Yes they would be responsible for the property taxes.
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