Alna selectmen are taking another step in their crackdown on delinquent tree growth plans.

The plans mean property tax breaks for the landowners who have them. Under Maine law, a plans need recertification from a licensed forester every 10 years. The landowner is supposed to provide the town with proof of the recertification. But Alna, like many other Maine towns, has properties getting the breaks for plans that, as far as the town can tell, are out-of-date.

Towns can fine rule-breakers, take away a landowner's tax breaks and even bill them for the breaks they got in prior years.

Until a town enforces the law, a plan that has outrun its 10-year life is still in compliance, Maine Forest Service officials have said.

Last summer, Alna selectmen issued what they described as a friendly letter to owners of properties needing proof of recertification. It turned out some owners had gotten their plans recertified, but failed to tell the town.

At the selectmen’s March 21 meeting, resident Ralph Hilton asked for an update. Board members then decided they will draft another letter to owners with plans still needing proof of recertification.

The new letter will follow language the state provides, and will inform landowners what they could face in fines, town officials said. Town Clerk Amy Warner will also find out what each owner would be billed in back taxes if their properties are removed from the program.

Selectmen plan to include that information in the individual letters.

Board members said they don’t plan to issue a letter to Howard Nickerson. He has been coming to board meetings to tell selectmen about his tree work and his efforts to get the recertification.

The board plans to review a draft of the new letter April 4, at the town office. It will be the board’s first meeting with the new, 7 p.m., start time to accommodate Second Selectman Jonathan Villeneuve’s work schedule.

Board members said they want to make an annual habit of checking for overdue tree growth plans, sending out the initial letter, as they did, and then following up.

“It’ll be good to have something in place that future selectmen and clerks can do easily,” Third Selectman David Reingardt said.

Susan Johns can be reached at 207-844-4633 or sjohns@wiscassetnewspaper.com.