PARIS – A new method of taxing RVs kept at campgrounds in Waterford has rubbed some owners the wrong way and resulted in a series of tax abatement hearings.

Two hearings were held before the Oxford County commissioners Tuesday, and five more are waiting, said Administrative Assistant Carole Mahoney.

Clara Bowie of Durham was the first RV owner to present her case Tuesday. She said a clerk at the Waterford town office told her the camper she keeps at Keoka Beach Camping Area was worth $13,450, but the town has taxed her on an assessed value of $18,360. She was taxed $326.

“The camper is a 2000 and they say it doesn’t depreciate,” Bowie said, adding that she’s already invested in a new furnace.

Commissioner Steve Merrill asked whether the RV was taxed as personal property.

“Basically what we have done,” explained Waterford Selectman Whizzer Wheeler, “is taken a position that all of the campers – all of the year-round campers … we have judged them to be a permanent home, or a permanent summer camper and a home, versus a camper as they have been up until now.”

Wheeler and fellow Selectman Cynthia Hamlin went on to say that more and more campers are being left at campgrounds permanently, and many are being used throughout the year. The town made a “philosophical” change, they said, and decided to tax the permanent RVs at a rate more in keeping with those assessed on summer homes.

Criteria were established to determine whether an RV is being used as a mobile home instead of a camper that is easily moved, both said. Wheeler added that permanent lakefront RVs were taxed at 100 percent of their original value if they were less than 10 years old, or 85 percent of the value if they were older. Permanent RVs set back from the lake were likewise taxed at 85 percent or 65 percent of their value.

Summer homes on average are taxed at a value of $54 to $60 per square foot, Wheeler said. Taxed on their original value, the campers fall in the same rate range, he said.

Debra and Ivan Lippincott of Harrison were billed $349 this year for their RV at Keoka Beach Camping Area.

“The way I understand the way taxes are done, it should be based on fair value,” Ivan Lippincott said. “Well, they’re saying that my camper is worth $14,000 and it’s 18 years old. Anybody in their right mind wouldn’t buy an 18-year-old camper for $14,000.”

Merrill said both parties can expect written responses in 30 to 60 days. If unsatisfied, they may appeal to the Maine court system.