County Moves Towards Foreclosure on Sayers Properties, Including Toxic Site in Madison Heights
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Feb. 13, 2020)
Madison Heights, MI – Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner announced today that he’s moving forward with foreclosure of properties owned by Sayers Enterprises and Sayers Ventures, including the contaminated Electro-Plating Services building on E. 10 Mile Road. Meisner is notifying the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy that Oakland County has an environmentally-contaminated site subject to property tax forfeiture due to non-payment of real property taxes in accordance with MCL 211.78g(7).
According to a press release, Meisner said “The infamous ‘green ooze’ site in our beloved Oakland County community of Madison Heights has all of us on high alert. I am doing everything within my power as Treasurer to hold the owners accountable and to prevent this burden from shifting onto the backs of taxpayers.”
“Michigan property tax law requires me to notify the state if and when we have a property subject to property tax foreclosure that is believed to be contaminated. The ‘Electro-Plating Service, Incorporated’ site in Madison Heights, with the haunting images of contamination seeping into the street, is such a site.”
If the property taxes on the property remain unpaid, the property will become tax foreclosed after March 31, 2020. Normal procedures are suspended by this state law, as such a property cannot be sold at auction. At that point all partners would need to come together to clean the site and hold the owner accountable, according to the press release.
Accounting to County records, the amounts owed are:
Five total properties. Four owned by Sayers Ventures LTD Partners. One owned by Sayers Enterprises II LLC
LTD owned:
925 E 10 Mile
o 2017 tax, interest & fees owed $4674.70 (subject to foreclosure in 2020)
o 2018 tax, interest & fees owed $3485.38
o Total delinquent $8160.08
937 E 10 Mile
o 2017 tax, interest & fees owed $953.10 (subject to foreclosure in 2020)
o 2018 tax, interest & fees owed $505.78
o Total delinquent $1458.88
945 E 10 Mile
o 2017 tax, interest & fees owed $6057.50 (subject to foreclosure in 2020)
o 2018 tax, interest & fees owed $2798.69
o Total delinquent $8856.19
959 E 10 Mile
o 2017 tax, interest & fees owed $4164.94 (subject to foreclosure in 2020)
o 2018 tax, interest & fees owed $2835.18
o Total delinquent $7000.12
LLC owned:
901 E 10 Mile
o 2017 tax, interest & fees owed $7085.94 (subject to foreclosure in 2020)
o 2018 tax, interest & fees owed $5723.15
o Total delinquent $12809.09
Zero balances for all years prior to 2017.
“The Treasurer’s Office remains ready to work with our partners to bring this scary chapter to its proper conclusion, while making sure those responsible for such harm are held accountable.”
Previous stories:
Testing Shows Contamination in Madison Heights Not Impacting Drinking Water or Southern Properties (Jan. 24, 2020)
Video Interview: Madison Heights Leaders Answer Questions about Chemical Waste Site (Jan. 14, 2020)