NORWICH – Following February’s Common Cuncil meeting, aldermen agreed to extend the deadline for unredeemed tax properties within city limits that are now subject to acquisition by the city.

In October 2010, city officials bid on 14 different parcels, including a commercial space on American Avenue, that faced tax foreclosure because of a combination of unpaid city, county and school district taxes. In accordance with state law and the city charter, the property owners were given a 15-month period to redeem their properties, but this redemption time expired in January of this year and taxes owed have yet to be paid, thereby making each property subject to acquisition by the city.

On Feb. 21, the council agreed to allow an additional 30-day redemption time for delinquencies, giving property owners now until March 30 to pay back taxes for 2010, 2011 and 2012. Should the owners fail to redeem their property by the extended deadline, the city has a legal right to attain the property and sell it to a new bidder.