POLAND – One homeowner found out Tuesday how expensive a clerical error in Town Hall can be.

Gary Hemenway needs to pay $5,110.35 because the town only billed him on his undeveloped land and failed to include the home on the Highview Drive property. The Board of Selectmen voted 3-1 Tuesday that Hemenway pay the owed taxes but waived any interest on the amount in arrears. Selectman Steve Robinson stressed that payments be kept separate from Hemenway’s current tax bill to prevent a compounding of delinquent payments.

“I understand that I owe money,” said Hemenway. “I just hope that you’ll be flexible and work with me.”

Selectman Glenn Peterson voiced repeated objection to making Hemenway pay the back taxes because of the town’s mistake. Peterson motioned that Hemenway’s taxes for 2002 and 2003 be forgiven. However, he could not get anyone to agree.

“I don’t agree that we should collect taxes for the last three years when you’ve paid what we’ve asked you,” said Peterson.

Other board members noted that occasions have arisen in past years when the town has required full payment despite a mistake on the town’s part. Selectman Patricia Nash said that changing that practice would be unfair to other taxpayers.

“This is not a new practice,” said Selectman Leo Ferland. “It’s a practice to be fair to the taxpayers in all of the towns.”

However, town officials are actually allowing another resident to buy back his home, which has been in foreclosure the past three years.

Selectmen voted 4-0 to approve an agreement with Jerry Cyr that would give him time to pay $2,925.70 in taxes owed. Cyr will need to put a $100 down payment by Feb. 17 and maintain monthly payments to keep his mobile home.

“This way, you won’t have to go through the heartburn of selling a home out from under someone,” said Town Manager Richard Chick.

The town foreclosed on the home in January 2001, but Cyr has remained a resident. Even though the town acquired ownership, Cyr continues to receive tax bills as the person in possession of the home, said Chick. The most recent annual tax bill totaled $176.25. Interest continues to accrue with each missed payment date.

If Cyr fails to make his monthly payments of $100, the town can keep whatever money has been collected and then sell the mobile home, according to the agreement.

The board held off on approving a similar agreement for Franklin and Beryle Strout, whose two parcels now belong to the town.

The Strouts are in arrears for $4,537. The town had entered into an agreement once before, and the board wanted more details about their relapse in payment.

The selectmen voted 4-0 to table this second agreement and directed Chick to provide the board with a list of foreclosed properties and active land purchase agreements.

Other action included:

• Approving a request for proposals for consulting services to analyze the town’s commercial development potential.

• Establishing a Recreation Advisory Committee comprised of Poland residents to help determine programs and services to be provided by the town’s new Recreation Department.

• Setting this year’s first budget meeting for 7 p.m. Feb. 23.