PITTSFIELD – Town councilors shook their heads in disbelief Tuesday night after learning that a mortgage company had tried to take possession of one of Pittsfield’s tax-acquired properties.

Town Manager Kathryn Ruth said the town had attempted to work with Myron McNally of Carriage Estates for more than eight years to pay off his back taxes before taking ownership last year. The town’s policy is to continue to work with the previous homeowners to help them reclaim their homes.

McNally, through a series of payment plans, had whittled the amount owed to $642 when he recently abruptly abandoned the property.

“This was much to our surprise,” Ruth said. “It was such a small amount [that he owed].”

Ruth said she was shocked when a mortgage company attempted to claim the mobile home, however. “I asked them if they checked to make sure that Mr. McNally actually owned the property and they said no,” Ruth said.

As per the town’s tax-acquired policy, the property will be placed out to bid unless McNally comes forward.

Ruth also reported that the U.S. Postal Service in Portland had approved the rural properties portion of the town’s E-911 numbering system. A letter will be sent by Jan. 31, notifying all rural homeowners of their new house numbers.

The council agreed to purchase reflecting number stickers that will be available at the town office. Residents will be given the option to purchase their own, although they must meet certain reflective and size requirements.

The council was pleased that 10 people requested seats on a seven-member Celebrations Committee. All will be asked to participate.

In other business, the council:

. Appointed Stephen Seekins as the town’s plumbing inspector.

. Appointed Karen Hanson-Brown of Clinton as 2007 animal control officer with a one-year contract at the rate of $200 a month, plus $15 and 37 cents a mile per cat or dog to be picked up and delivered to the animal shelter, as well as $10 per pickup of all domestic dead animals on town roads.