The Wiscasset town manager and town treasurer are working to reduce money owed to the town through outstanding taxes, liens, sewer and ambulance bills. From April 17 through June 5, the treasurer was able to reduce the accounts by approximately $62,000.

According to Town Manager Laurie Smith, the town’s accounts receivable has increased dramatically over the past seven years, from $460,000 in 2005 to $1.8 million in 2011. About $150,000 in outstanding tax dollars has been added each year since 2007 from Mason Station alone.

According to Smith, one way to stop continued increase in the accounts receivable is to stop committing taxes on tax-acquired properties. The best example of this is the Point East properties. Each year the town commits about $100,000 in taxes on properties which have been owned by the town since 2010.

However, if the town stops committing those taxes, the loss in tax money will create an impact on the remaining taxpayers.

“The resolution to these problems is not simple and will take time,” Smith said.

Wiscasset Selectmen took on the Mason Station issue at a recent meeting. They are currently soliciting proposals from qualified developers for the sale of recently town acquired property at the former Point East Maritime Village. The selectmen also hired legal services to assist the town in the collection of outstanding receivables and other legal issues regarding Mason Station and the Ferry Road Development properties.

The request for proposals is to purchase and redevelop a total of 14.32 acres, ranging in lot size from 0.06 to 1.86 acres, with an assessed value of $6.5 million. Town Planner Misty Gorski pointed out the properties in question do not include the Mason Station building itself.

The parcels are located off Point East Drive in Wiscasset. The parcels are within the approved subdivision area, and zoned according to the Shoreland Business II and Marine Overlay District. According to the written proposal by the selectmen, commercial, light industrial, marine, institutional, public and residential uses are permitted within the district.

“The RFP process is beneficial to the town as it lets the town play an active role in the future of the land,” Gorski said. “With the outstanding debt associated with the property this will also allow the selectmen to make careful decisions on what is collected for the property, as well as potential development for the site.”

According to Gorski, as of last week the town has not received any proposals. She indicated that she was not surprised because the information had not been out very long. Gorski said the town had advertised within the state, within New England, and on a few development websites. The town will begin reviewing proposals on Tuesday, Aug. 7, providing some are received, but will accept proposals beyond that date.

Wiscasset has following vacancies on town committees:

Appeals Board – two vacancies

Appearance of the Town Committee – one

Budget Committee – two

Conservation Committee – one

Transportation Committee – two