For those who owe taxes in Newcastle, the time may be up when the town doesn't come looking for its money.

The Newcastle board of selectmen agreed Monday, May 11 to allow town attorney Peter Drum to draft a letter to let those who are past due know the town is willing to go to small claims court.

“We'll send threat letters basically saying 'You've got 30 days, or you got to pay,'” Drum said.

Although all of the owed amounts are under $2,000, Selectmen’s Chairman Brian Foote said it's as much about the message as it is the money.

“None of (the taxes owed) are huge dollar amounts,” he said. “But if we don't hold these people responsible, then why would anyone pay? If they know we aren't going to go after them (in small claims court), then why pay?”

Approximately every four years, the Newcastle board of selectmen come together to discuss whether or not to pursue delinquent tax bills from the past five years. Foote said the board decided not to pursue any action the last time around, because the filing cost at the court house had been seen as prohibitive. The cost to lodge a case is approximately $70, Drum said, while some of the amounts owed are even less than that. One person who owes the town $66 reportedly said the town will have to take him to court if it wishes to recoup the amount owed.

Should the town win in court, it would be able to recoup the filing fee, Drum said.

Some businesses, such as a North Newcastle Road excavation company, have appeared on the list as far back as 2008. Newcastle is owed $1,222 from two properties in 2008; $1,241 from one business in 2009, $1,558 from two properties in 2010, $1,557 from two properties in 2011, $1,713 from two properties in 2012, $1,462 from seven properties in 2013 and $1,965 from 15 properties in 2014.

The amount owed varies from a high of $1,450 to a low of $1.74. While there are some personal properties listed, there are also a number of now-defunct businesses on the rolls.

Like Foote, Selectman Pat Hudson was on the board during the last round of delinquent taxes four years ago. This time around she said Newcastle should send a message.

“The problem is, if we don't lean on them, they will keep (refusing to pay taxes),” Hudson said.