PARIS — The town is sending notices this week to property owners who owe back taxes, informing them they have 30 days to pay or a lien will be placed on their property.

Town Clerk Elizabeth Knox said last week that more than 400 residents and more than 250 mortgage holders will be notified.

Knox said sending the notices will be expensive because they must be by certified mail, which is more than $5 each. The cost is recouped from property owners when they pay back taxes.

“This is the starting process,” Knox said last week.

Knox said most taxpayers who receive the letters are responsive. Earlier this year, the town foreclosed on eight properties out of the original 518 notices sent last year.

treaves@sunjournal.com