Wiscasset selectmen agreed to move forward, slowly at first, and begin the process of collecting approximately $400,000 in unpaid property taxes. The election of Judy Colby Tuesday, Nov. 3 ended a stalemate that had carried over the last three board meetings.

After a short discussion, Chairman Ben Rines Jr. motioned to have the town manager give final notification to owners of vacant land who are delinquent on their property taxes. The taxes must be paid before the end of the year, Dec. 31, or selectmen will take possession of the property when they convene for their first meeting in January 2016. The tax-acquired properties will be disposed of as selectmen see fit. 

During the Nov.4 meeting Rines had initially motioned to include second homes and non-residential properties along with vacant lands. He amended his motion after hearing from Colby.

“I can go along with proceeding on the vacant land but when we talk about taking homes, I need more time,” she said. It was Colby’s first meeting since returning to the board.

Rines told Colby applications for property abatements were included with the letters notifying property owners facing liens; only three applications had been returned. He added that he had “no sympathy for non-residents who haven’t paid their property taxes.” Rines, however, was willing to compromise and agreed to limit the action to vacant property.

Selectman Judy Flanagan said the process has been a struggle but the board had a responsibility to collect taxes. She wondered whether it might be better to look first at the length of the lien. “Maybe a better way is to start with the oldest ones first,” she said.

According to minutes from the Oct. 6 meeting, 11 letters were sent to residents who had delinquent tax agreements and an additional 23 letters sent to residents whose property had been foreclosed but did not have tax agreements. The town has not taken possession of any of the properties. At that same Oct. 6 meeting selectmen were advised by attorney Wendy Paradis, their legal counsel, the board had a fiduciary responsibility to collect unpaid property taxes. Paradis recommended the board begin by taking action on vacant land, second homes and non-residential properties.

After Rines amended his motion, it passed 4-1. Selectman David Cherry cast the dissent, while Colby, Flanagan and Selectman Jeff Slack voted with Rines.

The matter of unpaid sewer bills was briefly discussed as well. At the close of September the town had a little over $121,000 in outstanding sewer bills. Town Manager Marian Anderson said the town office was moving ahead with sewer liens. “We have larger commercial users that have simply not been paying,” she commented.

Selectmen sold a 72-acre, tax-acquired property on Ready Point Road for $80,000. The property includes shore frontage and is assessed at $19,758. Over $60,000 was owed to the town in back taxes on this property.

Wendy Donovan of Old Bath Road was appointed to the Historic Preservation Commission. Donovan holds a degree in architecture from the University of Virginia and works as a project engineer for the Kennebec Company.

The town is still seeking a harbor master. The position has been advertised twice. The next meeting will be Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. at the town office.