By JIMMY LAWTON

HOPKINTON -- A legal victory May 2 will allow to St. Lawrence County to foreclose and make ready for market two properties owned by a religious organization that have fallen into despair.

The properties included about an acre and a half of property located on the St. Regis River. Although properties are split, they share an address of 10 Circle Road, Hopkinton.

In court documents County Attorney Stephen Button said the Minister of the Temple of Divine Wisdom, Inc., a non-for-profit corporation, failed to pay taxes on the properties. The organization claimed it was eligible for religious exemptions, however Button argues that properties were not being used for religious purposes.

Judge Jerome Richards agreed and ruled that St. Lawrence County be awarded title and possession of the properties.

“The county is pleased the court agreed that religious or educational institutions that own property within St. Lawrence County, but do not use that prop for religious or educational purposes should not be granted a tax exempt status,” he said.

Button said the ruling means St. Lawrence County can now be able to sell the property and get it back on the tax rolls.

The ruling ended a foreclosure proceeding that dates back to 2009, when the county included the properties located at 10 Circle Road, Hopkinton, on the list of delinquent taxes.

In March of 2009, the Minister of the Temple of Divine Wisdom petitioned that status claiming to be tax exempt.

Because of that motion the property remained in possession of the MTDW. However in April Button filed a motion for a summary judgment arguing that the MTDW was not using the property as required for tax-exempt status.

“A review of the photographs of the subject parcels and the affidavit of the Hopkinton Town Assessor make it clear that these properties were not entitled to an exemption on the basis of a religion nor have any efforts been undertaken to construct or improve the lots,” Button stated in a motion to the court.

The MTDW did not file a counter motion to Button’s claim.

“The St. Lawrence County Treasurer, is directed to prepare, execute and cause to be recorded a deed conveying to St. Lawrence County full and complete title to property located at 10 Circle Road,” Richards said in his ruling.