VBT buys 7.45 acres of county foreclosed land on Elwell Road

By Rosemary K. Otzman
Independent Editor
At its regular meeting on July 16, the Van Buren Township Board of Trustees voted, 6-1, to pay $9,214.41 in back taxes on 7.45 acres of vacant land at 15080 Elwell Road, just south of the railroad and Hull Road.
Trustee Reggie Miller voted no. She voiced concerns about spending the money.
The board agreed it could be a good site for a new fire hall in the future if the township builds up and needs it. Board members also were glad since it is vacant property that there would have to be no grass cutting or other property maintenance.
Trustee Jeff Jahr said it needed to be used for a public purpose.
The property was foreclosed on by the Wayne County Treasurer for delinquent taxes.
The county sent a list of nine properties within the township that were foreclosed on and the township has the first right of refusal to purchase any of them by paying the delinquent taxes.
If the property is sold by the township in the future for an amount in excess of the minimum bid and all costs incurred relating to demolition, renovation, improvements or infrastructure development are deducted, the excess amount shall be returned to the delinquent tax property sales proceeds account.
At Monday’s workshop session, Treasurer Sharry Budd said in the past they had tried to buy five acres of foreclosed property on Elwell, but that transaction proved unsuccessful.
Budd said the township has recently been informed it will be reimbursed for the money it spent to take care of the Princess Laura that had sunk in the lake, so that money will be available for the property purchase.