SABATTUS – After numerous discussions and a slew of letters, Sabattus town officials voted to reimburse the school board for a $6,300 permit fee it was forced to pay to start construction on the new Sabattus Central School many months ago.

The majority of the board believed the school was unjustly billed.

The selectmen have also requested the presence of Code Enforcement Officer Richard Behr at the next selectmen’s meeting, Sept. 21, when this issue will be discussed during an executive session.

Townspeople were angered over decision to hold a closed-door session.

“Why should this matter be held in executive session?” asked resident Joline Vanover. “I want to know his reasoning for charging the town a permit fee to build on its own land. This involves our tax dollars, therefore I want answers from him.”

The board said the issue was a personnel matter, and that details of the permit will be disclosed after the executive session.

In other matters, the town has been recently plagued by hard water. Police Chief Thomas Fales Sr. said hard water has caused paint to erode from the town’s cruisers.

“I was told that if something isn’t done that this same water will eventually burn out the furnace in the Town Hall,” he said. Fire Chief Robert Scott also complained of hard water spots on his windshields that were almost impossible to remove.

To solve this problem, a specialist was brought in and the board approved spending $1,500 on a water softening system that will come out of miscellaneous funds.

Positions are still available for volunteers on the town’s Charter and Tax Cap committees. Those interested may contact the Town Office for more information and meeting times.

Selectman Stephen Wood encouraged citizens to become involved in the community, and said he hoped that more will soon respond.

“We need volunteers,” Wood said. “We have some people who have stepped forth but we still need more help.”

The town is also asking those planning on attending the Palesky tax cap initiative meeting at the Lewiston Multi-Purpose Center on Tuesday, Sept. 14, to contact the Town Office so it can submit a head count to the event’s coordinator.