NORWAY – A Hobbs Pond property dispute continues to haunt the Norway Board of Selectmen, which on Thursday heard from landowner Paul Eirman.

After hours spent debating with Eirman and neighbor Steven Siskowitz, Town Manager David Holt on Thursday admitted the town may have some responsibility in the matter, which the board had previously considered a private property dispute.

“Quite honestly, we haven’t had these types of complaints until now,” Holt said after Eirman had begun to blame his neighborly problems on both Siskowitz’s attitude and a lack of town code enforcement.

Armed with copies of deeds, photographs, the approved Hobbs Pond subdivision plan and a foam model, Eirman alleged that Siskowitz removed a culvert and failed to put a turnaround at the end of the subdivision road. Both are required by the plan, he said.

“You people signed it,” he added, holding the document in front of the board. “It gives all the details on everything you need.”

Lawsuits have been filed in this case.

“As far as I’m concerned,” said Selectman Bob Walker, “until we hear an action from some type of civil court, I consider this case closed.”

But as Siskowitz argued at a Nov. 18 meeting, Eirman said the town has to uphold its ordinances and approved subdivision plans.

“If it’s not enforced,” he said of the plan, “then the deed’s not worth anything.”

Selectman Bill Damon said he was concerned that “if the Planning Board accepted a plan, it should be followed to the letter.”

The board agreed that Eirman’s claims about the turnaround and culvert should be researched.

After nearly 45 minutes of discussion, Eirman packed up his supplies, shook the board members’ hands and left.

Toward the end of the meeting, Holt again raised the issue.

“The situation on Hobbs Pond has been cloudy for me,” he admitted. “It appears to me there are some civil issues, and maybe there’s (also) a role for the town.”

Holt said he was not sure what the town’s role should be and wondered whether Norway is forever obligated to enforce the presence of a subdivision plan.

The town attorney, he said, may help sort through matter.