NORWICH – As part of a last-chance effort for some city residents redeem their property before undergoing tax foreclosure, the Common Council has unanimously voted to extend the deadline for residents to pay back taxes.

In accordance with the city charter, property owners who owe back taxes on a certain parcels are given a 15-month period from the initial tax deadline to redeem their properties by paying those owed taxes. After that time, properties become subject to acquisition by the city.

In October, the City of Norwich placed a bid on several properties with unpaid taxes, but with 11 parcels still on the list of unredeemed properties, members of the Common Council agreed to extend the final deadline from January to March 29, in hopes that city residents are able to pay what they owe and hold on to their property.

Although it isn’t a procedure city officials are required to follow through with, the deadline for back taxes has been extended every year for well over a decade, explained City Director of Finance Bill Roberts. “We do everything that we can do to make sure people are fully aware of the ramifications of not paying those taxes,” he said.